5.2 PCSR 02-28-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Memo to Planning Commission Page 2 February 27, 1995 • both Manor Place and Norfolk Avenue. The home which faces on Norfolk Avenue is set back fifty-four (54) feet from the front property line along Norfolk Avenue and thirty-two (32) feet from the front property line along Manor Place. The topography of the site falls seven (7) feet from the northwest corner to the south lot line along Manor Place. A 10' foot variance would mean that the home would be located 22' feet from the front property line along Manor Place. Existing Neighborhood Most of the homes in this immediate area were constructed from the 1920's through the 1940's. There are very few records from this time period showing when these homes were constructed. Through the aid of aerial photographs, it appears that several of the homes were constructed very close to the side property lines. In fact, the neighboring home to the north of the subject site appears to be located approximately five (5) feet from the subject site's north property line. Therefore, it appears that some precedent for decreased side setbacks has been established in this older neighborhood. However, it does appear that most of the homes meet the existing front yard setback requirements from Norfolk Avenue. The applicant's parcel is a corner lot which is required to meet the front yard setback on both frontages which • leaves fewer options for the applicant. Analysis Staff refers the Planning Commission to Section 900.40 in the City of Elk River Code of Ordinance for the five standards to consider when reviewing a variance. Staff also refers the Commission to Mr. Schumacher's letter addressing the issues and five standards. Staff feels that there are adequate findings to grant the eight (8) foot front yard setback variance. The applicant and staff discussed several different options for an addition which would not need a variance, however, as noted in the applicant's letter, these locations did not work for a variety of reasons, namely that the colonial style architecture would be jeopardized with a poorly placed addition. There is also precedence established in this older neighborhood where several structures are non-conforming in terms of existing setback standards. Therefore, the proposed setbacks would not be out of character with the general area. Although alternative sites exist for placing the family room addition without the need for a variance, it would jeopardize the unique colonial architecture associated with this home. Mr. Schumacher's home was constructed before any of the current setback standards were in place and it is extremely difficult to modify his home without jeopardizing the architecture and meet • all the current setbacks. The topography and location of the existing c:planning:pc:v95-1