Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/02/2020

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Regular Planning Commission 7. 1. Meeting Date: 04/02/2020 By: Chloe McGuire Brigl, Community Development Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Resolution #20-060 Approving a Variance for 5805 148th Ln NW (Project 20-106); Case of Mike and Sarah St Clair Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to consider a request from Mike and Sarah St. Clair (the "Applicants") for a detached building to be built within the front yard setback of the property at 5805 148th Ln NW (the "Subject Property"). The Subject Property is approximately 3.04 acres. The proposed building is a 30 x 48 foot pole barn to store items that are currently stored outdoors. The Subject Property is in the R-1 Residential (MUSA) Zoning District and guided as Low Density Residential in the Comprehensive Plan. The Subject Property abuts other residential properties. The site abuts Ramsey Elementary School to the north. The Subject Property is accessed off Nowthen Boulevard from 148th Lane NW (one of the last gravel roads in the City) and has a gravel driveway. There is a permanent 33 foot road easement on the south edge of the Subject Property running east/west, likely for future extension. The adjacent property to the south also has a 33 foot road easement on the north end of their property. There are no longer plans to extend. This is an example of updated policies and regulations. The City would not allow this scenario today. The City should have required a full cul-de-sac at that time. Notification: The City attempted to send a mailing via Standard US Mail to property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Property, as noted in the Anoka County Property Records, notifying them of the public hearing. The notice was also published in the Anoka County UnionHerald. Observations/Alternatives: Summary The Applicant has requested a variance to build a 30 x 48 foot detached structure (pole barn) 43 feet off the southern lot line of the Subject Property, or 10 feet off the permanent road easement. The City would typically apply the required front yard setback from the edge of the road easement, which on the Subject Property, would be 30 feet from the edge of the road easement. This is standard in case a road is built in the future, in which the yard becomes a "front" yard. The variance is to deviate from the required front yard setback. If approved, it would essentially treat this as a side yard setback of 10 feet from the road easement. The building would comply with the minimum side yard setback of 10 feet (albeit from a road easement). Staff spoke to the City Attorney and because the situation is unique, the City Attorney felt a variance is the most transparent process to approve a building in this area. The Subject Property does have one detached garage onsite currently, which is approximately 432 square feet (-24 x 18 feet). The proposed building is 1,440 square feet (30 x 48 feet). The property is allowed 2,700 square feet of detached structures, and will have less than 2,000 if the proposed building is built. See the attached Detached Garage Requirements for more information. Road Easement Please see the attached survey for a visual on this road easement. The permanent road easement is not buildable area nor is it currently maintained by the City. The City maintains (re -gravels, plows, etc.) that portion of 148th Lane up to the eastern lot line of the Subject Property. The permanent road easement spans two properties, the Subject Property and the property directly to the south. The purpose of this road easement, which has been in place