Agenda - Planning Commission - 10/12/2017

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Regular Planning Commission 5. 1. Meeting Date: 10/12/2017 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Request for a Variance to Construct a Detached Accessory Building Nearer the Front Property Line than the Home at 7155 160th Lane NW (Project No. 17-146); Case of Francis and Lorne Kaas Purpose/Background: Over the past few months, City Staff has been working with Francis and Lorri Kaas (the "Applicant") regarding the possible location for a new, detached accessory building (the "Building") on the property located at 7155 160th Lane NW (the "Subject Property"). Locations in the rear and side yards were considered but ultimately, the Applicant selected a location in front of the home on the Subject Property. Notification: In accordance with State statute, Staff attempted to notify property owners within 350 feet of the subject property of the public hearing via Standard US Mail. The Public Hearing was also noticed in the Anoka County Union Herald, the City's official newsletter for public notices. Observations/Alternatives: City Code Section 117-349 allows detached accessory structures to be constructed nearer the front property line than the home on parcels that are two (2) acres or larger in size under certain conditions. The building needs to meet the minimum setbacks for the applicable zoning district, the exterior finish shall match that of the home, and the accessory building cannot be taller than home. Originally, the Subject Property was two (2) acres in size. But, in the mid-2000s, the land west of the Subject Property was subdivided (Trappers Ridge) to create a new parcel for a single family home. As a result of that subdivision, the Applicant (and their neighbor to the north) had to grant an easement for street, drainage and utility purposes to provide access to the newly created lot. Since that easement was, at least in part, for street purposes, that area of the Subject Property encumbered by the easement is no longer eligible when calculating the size of the Subject Property. Thus, the Subject Property is actually considered to be 1.68 acres in size, which limits the location of detached accessory buildings to the side or rear yard. The Applicant did consider siting the Building next to the attached garage on the Subject Property. But, due to the street easement along the north boundary of the Subject Property, the Building would not comply with the required forty (40) foot setback (considered a corner lot with the easement). The Applicant also contemplated a location in the rear yard. However, the access to the rear yard would either require the removal of a number of oak trees along the side property line and/or access from the private driveway that is located within the public street easement. The proposed location of the Building would meet the minimum setback along the north lot line (seventy-three [73] feet, thirty-three [33] feet for the easement plus the applicable forty [40] feet from the easement) and would exceed the minimum setback from the front property line. The Building would be situated within a wooded area that will provide some screening of it from the nearest adjacent properties. The exterior finish of the Building is proposed to be steel lap siding and aluminum soffit and fascia that match the home in terms of material and color. The total height of the Building is just under sixteen (16) feet. Other than the location, the proposed Building appears to comply with all other standards for detached accessory buildings.