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Variance Board Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, June 3, 2015 <br />Page 4 <br />from the road as identified in the goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Member Daire <br />147 <br />also asked if the applicant revised their application to provide for side-facing doors, if <br />148 <br />there would be sufficient space between the front stoop and corner of the garage; and <br />149 <br />whether the existing floor plan could accommodate a 16’ overhead double-door garage. <br />150 <br />From his perspective, Member Daire opined that the location of the garage door seemed <br />151 <br />to be the main issue, and rationale for staff’s denial based on current zoning code and <br />152 <br />Comprehensive Plan guidance. However, Member Daire further opined that if the <br />153 <br />variance requests are denied, the other objective in another option besides this proposal, <br />154 <br />the suggested option by staff would require more concrete paving to implement side- <br />155 <br />facing doors versus them directly facing the street. <br />156 <br />Mr. Lloyd responded that the option suggested by staff would encroach in the side yard <br />157 <br />setback by approximately 2’, thus the ability for an Administrative Deviation versus formal <br />158 <br />variance process; admitted that the optional placement with side-facing doors may <br />159 <br />encroach further into the front yard, but could also be address via an Administrative <br />160 <br />Deviation (up to 6’) per current zoning code requirements, and as detailed in the staff <br />161 <br />report. Mr. Lloyd admitted that additional impervious surface could be a result of turning <br />162 <br />the garage doors to the side. <br />163 <br />Member Daire sought clarification, if these variance requests are denied and the <br />164 <br />applicant decided to pursue staff’s recommendation for side-facing doors, that option <br />165 <br />could be completed administratively without coming before the Variance Board again. <br />166 <br />Presuming the revised design met the provisions suggested by staff under current code, <br />167 <br />Mr. Lloyd confirmed Member Daire’s statement. Mr. Lloyd advised that staff had provided <br />168 <br />an additional option to the applicant to add the additional garage staff to the side, which <br />169 <br />would encroach somewhat more into the side yard setback, and clarified that such an <br />170 <br />option may or may not require formal variance approval versus only an Administrative <br />171 <br />Deviation. However, Mr. Lloyd noted that such an option would only require deviation <br />172 <br />from one zoning code requirement as opposed to the current multi-part variance <br />173 <br />requests. <br />174 <br />Applicant and Property Owner Rose Mae Richardson and Rand Thompson <br />175 <br />Ms. Richardson introduced their architectural and design team: Greg Kraus (3150 Jersey <br />176 <br />Avenue N, Crystal, MN) and Ron Sonnek (5601 W Loko Street, St. Louis Park, MN), both <br />177 <br />with Sicora <br />178 <br />Ms. Richardson, as a resident of Roseville since 1983 and current occupant of this older <br />179 <br />home, expressed her interest at this stage of life in making the home work better for <br />180 <br />aging-in-place. Ms. Richardson advised that they had considered other homes, but came <br />181 <br />to the conclusion they liked this home and lot, and living in Roseville. With the assistance <br />182 <br />of the design team to make this home a viable option, Ms. Richardson noted their <br />183 <br />conclusion was to have a two-car garage for indoor storage of their vehicles, as well as <br />184 <br />improving accessibility for the entry into the home as they age. <br />185 <br />Ms. Richardson advised that she had brought three letters from her immediate neighbors, <br />186 <br />all supporting the variance requests. However, Ms. Richardson noted the comments of <br />187 <br />the neighbor to the north if staff’s recommended option to move the garage closer to the <br />188 <br />north was considered. Ms. Richardson noted that that neighbor did not support that <br />189 <br />option, as it would face his living room window and reduce light into his home on the <br />190 <br />lower level. <br />191 <br />Specific to design issues in turning the garage, Ms. Richardson deferred to the designers. <br />192 <br />Member Daire sought clarification from Ms. Richardson as to whether she was concerned <br />193 <br />with the location of the garage door as long as they could accommodate two vehicles. <br />194 <br />Ms. Richardson responded that staff’s recommended option would require a longer and <br />195 <br />steeper driveway from the sought side, making it harder to clear store, as well as bringing <br />196 <br />the garage further front making it difficult to provide sufficient clearance from the chimney <br />197 <br />and stoop. Ms. Richardson admitted her difficulty in envisioning such an option or it <br />198 <br /> <br />