HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2024-021 WBMS Variance ApprovalCity of Gem Lake
County of Ramsey
State of Minnesota
Resolution No. 2024-0021
APPROVING A VARIANCE FOR 1201 COUNTY ROAD E EAST, PARCEL ID 283022440006
WHEREAS, White Bear Montessori School, the owner of the property, made an application to
request a variance ‘after-the-fact’ to allow for a detached accessory structure (shed) to be placed within
the required 50-foot side yard setback on the property listed above; and
WHEREAS, the property is legally described as follows:
LOT 6, BLOCK 2, RED FOX HILLS, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
TORRENS PROPERTY
TORRENS CERTIFICATE NO. 500305; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the request at a duly noticed public hearing on
September 10, 2024, and determined that the proposed request meets the criteria for a minor subdivision,
and voted to recommend approval of the request with conditions; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF GEM
LAKE, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does approve a Variance to
allow for a detached accessory structure (shed) to be placed within the required 50-foot side yard setback
on 1201 County Road E East, Parcel ID 283022440006, based on the following findings:
1. Accessory structures, such as the as-built shed, are permitted under the ordinance in the
Institutional Overlay zone. This criterion appears to be met.
2. Given that the building permit (which included the now as-built shed location) was already
reviewed and issued for the project, and the shed has already been built, the applicant is in a
unique situation of where they thought the structure was able to be built in its as-built location.
This situation is unique only to this project and was not caused by the landowner. This criterion
appears to be met.
3. Other detached accessory structures are located on nearby properties at setbacks from roads
similar to the as-built shed. The as-built shed is also partially screened from the road (County
Road E East) by existing trees and vegetation and is nearly fully screened from neighboring
properties to the east. This criterion appears to be met.
4. Economic considerations, such as cost, are not mentioned in the applicant’s submittal as the
reason or rationale for the request. This criterion appears to be met.
5. The shed in its as-built location does not appear to have negative impacts on neighboring uses and
properties. The as-built location would not stand out in comparison to other neighboring
properties. This criterion appears to be met.
6. The proposed as-built location does not appear to impact air or water quality of the property or
nearby development. This criterion appears to be met.
City of Gem Lake
County of Ramsey
State of Minnesota
Resolution No. 2024-0021
7. Traffic in and out of the site is generated by the principal use of the property, the Montessori
School. The shed itself does not generate traffic, as it would be used to store equipment and items
used by the school. This criterion appears to be met.
8. The proposed shed in its as-built location does not appear to have any impact on the safety or
health of the public. This criterion appears to be met.
9. Other detached accessory structures are located on nearby properties at setbacks from roads
similar to the as-built shed. The as-built shed is also partially screened from County Road E East
and Labore Road by existing trees and vegetation. This criterion appears to be met.
10. The shed being within the side yard setback is not expected to have an economic impact on the
neighborhood or the city. This criterion appears to be met.
11. The Comprehensive Plan is silent on accessory structures. The zoning ordinance (Ord. No. 131)
is meant to carry out the implementation of the Plan. Apart from the setback requirement, the
property meets other zoning requirements.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the following condition of approval shall be met:
1. The as-built shed shall adhere to the 33.2-foot setback from the south property line, as shown in
the plans reviewed with this request and the plans approved as part of the original building permit
issued in April 2024.
2. The as-built shed shall adhere to other applicable local, State, and Federal requirements.
3. The applicant shall pay all fees and escrows associated with this request.
Adopted by the City Council of Gem Lake, Ramsey County, Minnesota, on this 17th day of September
2024.
Melissa Lawrence
17 September 2024
MELISSA LAWRENCE, Acting City Clerk Date