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CASE #: ~ <br /> <br />REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS <br />FOR A TOWNHOME DEVELOPMENT <br /> CASE OF: ORRIN THOMPSON DEVELOPMENT <br /> By: Megan Wald, Community Development Assistant <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Orrin Thompson Homes has submitted an application requesting a variance from the height <br />restrictions in order to construct a townhome development on property generally located south of <br />Sunwood Drive and west of State Highway #47. City Code restricts the height of structures to <br />35 feet. The applicant has proposed to construct townhome units that will reach a height of about <br />38 feet at the peak of the roof. <br /> <br />The following items are enclosed for your information: <br /> <br />a) <br />b) <br />c) <br />d) <br /> <br />Site location map <br />Building Elevation Plan <br />Proposed Findings of Fact <br />Proposed Variance <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />The Fire Chief indicates that the maximum reach capability of the Fire Department for fire <br />suppression and rescue operations is 35 feet. Fire Chief Dean Kapler has noted that the City of <br />Ramsey's preliminary budget includes the purchase of an aerial ladder truck in 2002. Given that <br />fact, the Fire Chief is willing to support the request for variance as long as the aerial ladder truck <br />remains in the 2002 budget. It should also be noted that Ramsey has a joint powers agreement <br />with the Anoka and Andover Fire Departments for emergency assistance and those departments <br />do have aerial ladder trucks with reach capabilities in excess of 52 feet. <br /> <br />The additional height is being requested to accommodate the three story interior units that will be <br />constructed with a 4/12 pitch roof. <br /> <br />The Board of Adjustment did grant a structure height variance of 9.5 feet to a 3-story motel in <br />the commercial district and a 3-story senior apartment building in a residential district that was <br />44.25 feet in height. On May 1, 2001, the Board of Adjustment denied a variance for Amcor <br />Precast to construct a structure reaching 44 feet in height. On appeal, the City Council granted <br />the variance to Amcor Precast. In June 2001, the Board of Adjustment also denied a request <br />from Royal Oaks Realty to allow construction of building that would reach 52 feet in height from <br />grade. On September 4, 2001, the Board of Adjustment denied a request from Lord of Life <br />church to construct an apartment building reaching a height of 52 feet. The City Council granted <br />the variance on an appeal by Lord of Life church. <br /> <br /> <br />