09-03-25 PC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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There are several issues that will require a variance as outline below: 1- Lot 3 and Lot 4 are below minimum lot sizes as required by zoning. So the first request is to combine the two lots into one single lot. This will make the lot size larger but still under the minimum size. 2- Currently, the home which is on Lot 3 (Lot 4 is an empty lot) is not conforming to current zoning ordinances. The north west corner of the home encroaches onto the right of way or Lake Johanna Blvd. The garage door is about 6 feet from the public right of way with cars traveling quite fast. If a car is parking in front of the garage door on the driveway, more than half the vehicle is sticking out onto the right of way. The current home does not meet any of the zoning set backs or watershed flood zone setback. The FAR is approximately 66% which also not in compliant to the zoning standard of 25%. Due to the narrow configuration of the lots, the home will require set back variances on three sides because there is no room to move the house back to meet the set back requirements. 3- Due to the small sizes of both lots even after they both have been combined, a various variances will be requested for ratios such as Lot Coverage by Structure, Landscape Coverage, Setbacks, and Shore Impact Zone. I will address the six criteria for review to the Board in the following paragraphs: 1- Reasonable use of the property. Without the requested variances, the property cannot be reasonably used to construct a typical single-family home consistent with others in the area in particular, the lakeshore frontage properties. The lot size is significantly below the minimum standard therefore, combining the two lots is the best way to increase the lot size. The new home will allow the car access to turn into the driveway with more distance and parking space that will significantly improve the safety of vehicles in both directions. The new home will also change the pedestrian access to the front door with a wall separating the path of travel from the road. The home will also correct an encroachment on the road side property line thus providing additional distance to the vehicles and house. One other difference with the new house design is that it does not have a basement. Due to the flood plain restrictions, no basement is allowed. This is a significant change since the current house does have a basement for mechanical equipment and storage. 2- Unique Circumstances Not Created by the Landowner As you can see from the survey, Lot 3 (4,415 SF) is quite small and well below the standard 14,000 SF required for the typical lot. The home was 3747 Minnehaha Avenue, Ste 203, Minneapolis, MN 55406 phone (612) 644-4369 www.nguyenarchitects.com