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CASE # PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT A FOUR-SEASON PORCH ADDITION THAT ENCROACHES ON THE SETBACK FROM THE ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARK ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER; CASE OF SHELDON AND MELINDA MAYER. By: Community Development Assistant Chris Anderson Background: Section 9.21.07 of the Ramsey City Code states that the setback for any structure within the Critical River Area and Rural Service Area shall be thirty-five (35) feet from the bluff line or 200 feet fi'om the Ordinary High Water (OHW) mark, whichever is greater. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer have applied for a variance to construct a four-season porch addition within the OHW setback on the property at 9124 Collins Drive NW. The following items are enclosed for your information: a) Site location map b) Site plan c) Site pictures d) Comments by the MN DNR e) Proposed Findings of Fact Proposed Variance g) Proposed resolution to deny variance Observations: The property is located on Collins Drive, along the Mississippi River. In 1985, the City adopted regulations £'or properties within the Critical River Corridor. One of the regulations is that there shall be a thirty-five (35) foot setback for structures from the bluff line or 200 ~:bot structure setback from the ordinary high water mark, whichever is greater. The Mayers' house was constructed in 1983 and is approximately fifty (50) feet from the bluff line and 100 feet from the O[-IW; it is considered lawful non-conforming. There is an existing cement patio that spans the entire river-side of the house (approximately 15' by 44'). This cement patio is approximately thirty-five (35) feet from the bluff line and eighty- five (85) feet from the OHW. The Mayers' are proposing to construct a four-season porch addition on the southwest corner of the home. The dimensions of the proposed addition are fifteen (15) t'eet by fifteen (15) feet. The proposed addition would not extend beyond the cement patio and therefore, would not be increasing the impervious surface area on the lot. The dwellings on the adjoining properties east and west of the Mayers' property are approximately 30-35 l'eet from the bluff line and 75-80 feet from the OHW. The proposed addition to the Mayer's house would not reduce the existing pattern of encroachments into the setbacks fi'om the bluff line or the OHW.