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Guardian Angels of Elk River, Inc. <br />Variance Request for Orono Shores <br />November 25, 1997 <br /> <br />Description of Request for Variance: <br /> <br />Over the past five months, Guardian Angels has worked with City Staff and the Regional <br />Hydrologist from the ~_mnesota Department of Natural Resources on density issues for Guardian <br />Angels' proposed Senior campus development. The DNR has calculated densities from the <br />Shoreland Ordinance which was adopted by the City of Elk River in 1991. In their opinion <br />letter of October 22, 1997, the DNR has recommended 20 units of townhomes (10 buildings) <br />and 72 units of Assisted Living. <br /> <br />Guardian Angels, as determined from its market analysis, would like to plan a total of 80 units of <br />Assisted Living: 60 units in Phase I and 20 units as the future need is documented. In order to <br />meet the projected needs of this special Senior population, Guardian Angels is requesting a <br />variance of 8 units. The DNR concurs with this variance request and has stated in their letter that <br />8 units would be justified. <br /> <br />Rationale: <br /> <br />Based on the conditions the City has established in granting a variance, Guardian Angels <br />would like to offer the following comments: <br /> <br />+ Hardship - The project intends to meet the demand and needs of Guardian Angels' <br /> projected waiting list, but also the demographic projections of the "over 85-year olds". <br /> Based on the statistics recently published by the Central lVfinnesota Council on Aging, <br /> Guardian Angels, as a ~ervice provider for this area, must be prepared to respond to <br /> the needs of the "baby boomers" who will mm 85 in the year 2030. Reducing the campus <br /> by 8 units would diminish our objective. <br /> <br />+ Land and Structure - The property is configured in an unusual pattern with the 1250 ft. <br /> of lakeshore on one side and the highway angling the property on the other. With the <br /> DNR Shoreland Ordinance dividing the property into Tiers, there is definitely a hardship <br /> based on the "lay of the land". Guardian Angels is also required to meet certain regulations <br /> for green space, ponding, storm drainage, street utilities easements, etc. Whereas Guardian <br /> Angels had planned for a commercial development by the lake at Hudson Street, the DNR <br /> requires this area be used as residential for townhomes versus commercial development. <br /> <br /> <br />