Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/02/2016

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We are requesting a variance to build a garage due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner. The specific variance is from the property line to the proposed garage which is approximately 13 feet and from the ordinary high water (OHW) to the garage which is approximately 12 feet. On the original proposal submitted to the city, the garage was located 47ft from the North property line, 130ft from the West property line, and 26ft from the South property line. The variance requested was from the OHW, which the garage was 16ft from. The elevation from the OHW to the garage was less than 1ft. We strategically positioned the garage around several 100+ year old oak trees. One oak tree was approximately 8 feet Northwest from the Northwest corner of the garage (Noted (1) on the original Survey). There was also an oak tree approximately 8 feet Northeast from center of the Northeast structure wall (Note (2) on the original Survey). To move the garage Northwest to accommodate the OHW setback would require removal of one of these trees plus a several mature pine trees. After an initial review by the city, Mr. Andersen and Ms. Meyers visited the site to discuss the city's findings and a possible alternate site. He expressed concern over the distance from the OHW and the lack of elevation. He suggested moving the garage site 24ft toward the North property line. This would change the distance from the OHW to 40ft with an elevation of 2.6ft. As mentioned above, a 100+ year oak tree and several mature pine trees would have to be removed to accommodate. In an attempt to address the city's concerns, we submitted a second garage site proposal. The garage would be located 37ft from the North property line, 97ft from the West property line, and 35ft from the South property line. This site would be 38ft from the OHW with an elevation of 1.8ft. Both of these are a vast improvement from the original site and comparable to the city's proposal. It would also allow us to preserve all the oak trees and pine trees. If the elevation remains a concern, we would be willing to haul -in black dirt or fill to bring the elevation to the 2.6ft or more. We have been communicating with both Kate Drewry from the DNR and Beck Wozney from the Anoka Conservation District throughout this process. We provided them with the latest proposal. Both deferred commenting stating variances from OHW and elevation are decided by the city.