HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-24 PACKET 06.1.STAFF REPORT CASE: V2016-055
ITEM: 6.1
PUBLIC MEETING DATE: 10/24/16 TENTATIVE COUNCIL REVIEW DATE: 11/16/16
APPLICATION
APPLICANT: Mark Robertson
REQUEST: A variance to allow a 30 -foot by 45 -foot detached accessory structure to
be constructed in front of the existing house on a parcel of land less than
five acres in size.
SITE DATA
LOCATION:
ZONING:
GUIDED LAND USE:
10860 68th Street South
R-1, Rural Residential
Rural Residential
LAND USE OF ADJACENT PROPERTIES:
CURRENT
GUIDED
NORTH:
Rural Residential
Rural Residential
EAST:
Rural Residential
Rural Residential
SOUTH:
Rural Residential
Rural Residential
WEST:
Rural Residential
Rural Residential
SIZE: Detached Accessory Structure = 30 feet by 45 feet
DENSITY:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Approval, based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions
stipulated in this staff report.
Cottage
Grove COTTAGE GROVE PLANNING DIVISION
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here Pride and Prosperity Meet
Planning Staff Contact: John M. Burbank, Senior Planner; 651-458-2825; jburbank(d_)cottage-grove.org
Application Accepted:. 9/23/16 60 -Day Review Deadline: 11/22/16
City of Cottage Grove Planning Division 9 12800 Ravine Parkway South 9 Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Planning Staff Report
Robertson Garage Setback Variance
Planning Case No. V2016-055
October 24, 2016
Proposal
Mark Robertson has applied for a variance to allow a 1,350 square foot detached accessory
structure to be constructed in front of the existing house. The property is located at 10860 68th
Street South, which is a parcel of land less than five acres in size.
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Location Map
Review Process
Application Received: September 23, 2016
Acceptance of Completed Application: September 23, 2016
Tentative City Council Date: November 16, 2016
60 -Day Review Deadline: November 22, 2016
Planning Considerations
Land Use
The subject property is guided for Rural Residential land uses.
Planning Staff Report
Robertson Garage Variance — Planning Case No. V2016-055
October 24, 2016
Page 2 of 6
Zoning
The subject property is zoned R-1, Rural Residential. Single family homes are permitted uses in
the R-1 zoning district and accessory structures are a permitted accessory use.
Setbacks
The standard setbacks for accessory structures in the R-1, Rural Residential zoning district, are
identified in the table below.
Property
Classification Side Yard I Rear Yard Front Yard
R1 25 feet F 50 feet -F-Behind principal structure
The applicant's variance request is to deviate from the setback regulation of only allowing ac-
cessory structures behind principal structures. The applicant is proposing to locate the acces-
sory structure in front of the principal structure on property less than five acres in size. The size
of the proposed structure is 30 feet by 45 feet. The required side yard setbacks would be met as
the structure is proposed to be setback 100 feet from the west side property line and 80 feet
from the east side property line. It would be 160 feet from 68th Street along the front of the
property.
Site Plan
Architecture
The proposed accessory structure would be a pole structure type construction clad in metal and
colored to compliment the principal structure design.
Planning Staff Report
Robertson Garage Variance — Planning Case No. V2016-055
October 24, 2016
Page 3 of 6
Fri
Sidewall:
- No Doors
Endwall"
-16'x16' Overhead 48" DP
Structure Detail
Property Characteristics
The rural residential property is in a secluded neighborhood and is screened with vegetation.
The lot has a variety of grade variations as shown below. The extremely sloped areas around
the home are one of the stated difficulties in siting the proposed accessory structure in accord-
ance with the ordinance criteria. There are numerous mature deciduous and coniferous trees on
the property.
68th St S
18th t
Neighborhood View
Planning Staff Report
Robertson Garage Variance — Planning Case No. V2016-055
October 24, 2016
Page 4 of 6
Contours
Existing Structures
There is an existing 100 square foot shed located on the property, which would be permitted in
addition to the proposed pole structure under current ordinance criteria.
Ordinance Criteria
With any variance request, the Planning Commission must look to the zoning ordinance for
guidance and direction. City Code Title 11-2-7: Variances, states that:
A. Authority and Purpose: The council may grant variances from the strict application of the provisions of
this title and impose conditions and safeguards in the variances so granted in cases where there are
practical difficulties or particular hardships in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the regulations
of this title.
D. Consideration By Planning Commission; Recommendation: Before authorization of any variances, the
request therefor shall be referred to the planning commission, and for its recommendation to the city
council for the granting of such variance from the strict application of the provisions of this title so as
to relieve such practical difficulties to the degree considered reasonable without impairing the intent
and purpose of this title and the comprehensive plan. The planning commission shall recommend
such conditions related to the variance, regarding the location, character and other features of the
proposed building, structure or use, as it may deem advisable. The planning commission shall make
its recommendation within sixty (60) days after the request is referred to it, unless the Applicant re-
quests, in writing, that an extension of time for review be granted by the planning commission.
The planning commission may recommend a variance from the strict application of the provision of
this title, if they find that:
1. The variance is in harmony with the purposes and intent of this title.
Planning Staff Report
Robertson Garage Variance — Planning Case No. V2016-055
October 24, 2016
Page 5 of 6
2. The variance is consistent with the comprehensive plan.
3. The proposal puts the property to a reasonable use.
4. There are unique circumstances to the property not created by the landowner.
5. That the conditions upon which an application for a variance is based are unique to the parcel of
land for which the variance is sought and are not applicable, generally, to other property within
the same zoning classification.
6. That the purpose of the variance is not based exclusively upon a financial hardship.
7. That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other
land or improvements in the neighborhood in which the parcel of land is located.
8. That the proposed variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent prop-
erty, or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets, or increase the danger of fire,
or endanger the public safety.
The applicant's response to the ordinance criteria is attached.
Public Hearing Notices
Public hearing notices were mailed on October 13, 2016, to 21 property owners who are within
500 feet of the site. In addition, the public hearing notice was published in the South Washington
County Bulletin on October 12, 2016.
Summary
The proposed accessory structure does not exceed the number or size permitted in the existing
zoning district.
The placement of the principal structure does not accommodate for placement of the accessory
structure behind it.
The septic system location limits placement locations of the detached accessory structure.
The mature trees on the site limit placement locations of the detached accessory structure.
The steep slopes limit placement locations of the detached accessory structure.
The site is heavily screened.
Recommendation
That the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council grant a variance to allow a
1,350 square foot detached accessory structure to be constructed in front of the existing house
at 10860 68th Street South, which is a parcel of land less than five acres in size.
Finding of Facts
A. The placement of the principal structure on the rear quarter of the property prohibits the
placement of the accessory structure behind it.
Planning Staff Report
Robertson Garage Variance — Planning Case No. V2016-055
October 24, 2016
Page 6 of 6
B. The septic system location limits placement locations of the detached accessory structure.
C. The mature trees on the site limits placement of the detached accessory structure.
D. The distance and location of the existing home and proposed structure on the property, in
relation to the principal structures on the adjacent properties, are at a sufficient distance and
location as to not cause a negative impact on the front yard open space areas of those
properties.
E. The site is heavily screened with coniferous vegetation in the front and along the side prop-
erty lines.
Conditions of Approval:
1. All applicable permits (i.e.; building, electrical, grading, driveway, mechanical) must be
completed, submitted, and approved by the City prior to the commencement of any con-
struction activities for the accessory structure.
2. The well and septic system shall be protected during construction.
3. The applicant shall complete the project in a timely manner.
4. Erosion must be controlled in accordance with NPDES.
5. The exterior materials and color scheme of the proposed detached accessory structure
must match the principal structure on the property.
6. Construction/contractor operations and storage activities are prohibited in the detached
accessory structure and on the site.
7. No exterior storage is allowed.
Prepared by:
John M. Burbank, AICP
Senior Planner
Attachments:
Applicant's response to the ordinance criteria
f� [:��:a�L Community Development Department Planning Division
. 5 c:r�ve 12800 Ravine Parkway South Telephone: 657-458-2827
h , ,p,Y� * Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Fax: 657-458-2897
�r MnK-Cotta_g_e rave.rArq E -Mail: plannina aC�,cottagp rave
VARIANCE APPLICATION — RESPONSE TO ORDINANCE CRITERIA
The Planning Commission and City Council may. recommend a variance from the strict: application of the zoning ordinance, if
they find that your application meets the ,findings below. Please provide a DETAILED response to all of the following
findings:
1. The variance is in harmony with the purposes and intent of this title. Please
/circle: Y / es
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2. The variance is consistent with the comprehensive plan. Please circle: a--�� No
3. The proposal puts the property to a reasonable use. Please explain.
4. There are unique circumstances to the property not created by the landowner. Please identify these circumstances:
S6? 6a v `
5. The conditions upon which an application for a variance is based are unique to the parcel of land for which the
variance is sought and are not applicable, generally to other property within the same zoning classifications. Please
list the conditions that are unique.
5. The purpose of the variance is not based exclusively upon a financial hardship. Please circle: Ue
/ No
7. The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfareEes"
jurious to other land or improvements in
the neighborhood in which the parcel of land is located. Please circle: No
8. The proposed variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property, or substantially
increase the congestion of the public streets, or increase the danger of fire, or endanger the public safety. Please
identify any potential impact the requested variance may have.
Economic hardship is not regarded by the Courts as a reason for.approval.'Neighborhood. support or opposition,
without any basis of facts, is not regarded by the Courts as reason for either approval or den'al.a
Applicant Name: �� mss' /�5a� Case#: f
Variance Application
1. No, the variance is not in harmony with the purpose and intent of this title, the building will
be built in front of the house.
Z. Yes the variance is consistent with the comprehensive plan, the building will be built
following the accessory structure performance standards of property classification R-1, except
in front of house.
3. The pole barn would be used to store my lawnmowers, boats, motorcycle, ladders,
tools, truck and miscellaneous items.
4. The back part of the property is hilly and tree covered, home was built 50 feet from back
property line, septic and drain field in front of home, well put in off of northwest corner of
home. Terrain slopes down from the home in front and both sides, elevation goes up in the
back. A contour map from Washington County's survey and land management division is
included to show the terrain elevations of the lot.
5. The unique condition of this parcel of land are the elevation differences and the placement
of the house, well, septic and drain field on the lot.
6. The purpose of the variance is not based exclusively upon a financial hardship.
7. The variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other land or
improvements in the neighborhood.
8. This proposed variance is being made on a 3 acre lot off of a private road in a rural area with
a property classification of R-1. I do not believe that there is any potential impact to the public
or my neighbors.