4.1 BASR 12-27-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

RE: Variance Request -- Case No V16-16 Renae Hauge 479 Upland Avenue My name is Dolores Kratzke, I live at 1707 5th Street and I am the residence on the west/rear property line. My husband nd I built this house in 1959 and have lived there since, we have for all those year believed that our property line has `,,,--been 10' from our east side of the house and we have maintained that 10' by mowing and watering. In 2005 we didn't oppose the variance request that Jim was proposing because, his intent was to keep any structures 20' from our lot line. Two variances were granted and it was shown the lot could fit a standard house as stated in staff comments. Now 11 years later a request for two more variances and one is to be closer to my property line which will reduce my property value along with my privacy. 1 believe that a standard house like shown during the 2005 variance process can fit on this lot and still keep the rear setback at 20'. The concern should be to fit the house to the buildable area not to fit the lot and setback to the size of house. Outstanding concerns with proposed variances at 479 Upland Avenue NW Past Variance Actions Taken: A. On August 23, 2005 the Elk River Board of Adjustment granted two variances to the dimensional standards to allow an administrative subdivision. The variances that were granted were a lot area variance, the requirement at that time was 11,000 sq. ft. the applicant's lot was 10,330 sq. ft. and a lot width the requirement was 100ft the lot was 45ft wide. B. When these variances were granted by the City in 2005 the 5th finding used to approve these variances stated a "standard size single family home can be constructed on the site as noted on the drawing prepared by Staff". See Attachment A C. in addition it appeared the applicant who had requested the administrative simple plat wanted a 10ft variance to the east lot line (Upland Ave) to provide additional separation to the neighbors to the west. See Attachment B D. On page 17 of the shoreland management ordinance provided to me, Subdivision V --Sec 30-2041 Subdivisions and platting (b) A subdivision will not be approved where a later variance from one or more standards in official controls would be need to use the lots for their intended purpose. See Attachment C Building Plans: A. Is the applicant proposing to construct a one story or two story house? Are they planning for a full basement? B. The house plan provided to me by staff show two patio/French doors out to deck with 5 steps which puts the house elevated to at least 40" off of grade. See Attachment D C. The plans provided by the city shows two different proposed garage sizes. what is the size of the applicant proposed garage? D. The oddly shaped home is creating the need for a larger variance request. A standard designed home would eliminate the need for a variance, Why is the deck shown on the building plans not shown on the siteplan? The information provided by City shows a main level floorplan with a wraparound deck, this deck in not shown on the site plan provided to the Board. It appears the deck is 10ft wide if the deck was added to the proposed house the edge of the deck would be placed up to our shared lot line. There are seven steps shown on the floor plan these stairs would encroach over the lot line.