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Memo to the Planning Commission Page 2 July 23, 1996 • The drain field is located in the only flat part of the property. Requiring the pole building to meet the required setbacks will result in the loss of one or two mature trees, as well as a significant amount of fill. In the past, the Planning Commission and City Council have used tree preservation as a finding in granting a variance. The applicant is proposing to build a 1,620 square foot storage building on the property. The applicant currently has a 240 square foot yard barn, and a 660 square foot attached garage on the property. With the addition of this pole barn, the applicant will have 2,520 square feet of accessory structure area. Properties in this zoning district are allowed a maximum accessory structure area based on the parcel size: • 1 acre to 2.5 acres are allowed 2,500 square feet of accessory structure area. • >2.5 acres to 5.0 acres are allowed 3,000 square feet of accessory structure area. This parcel is 2.5 acres and is allowed 2,500 square feet of accessory structure area. The applicant has proposed 2,520 square feet of accessory structure area. This is 20 square feet more than is allowed by ordinance. The applicant will need to reduce the size of the proposed pole barn by at least 20 III square feet. The yard barn is located in the proposed location of the new storage shed, and will be moved to the rear of the property near the garden. Variance This property is subject to the normal standards found in section 900.40 of the Elk River Ordinance which states that a variance may only be granted if it meets the five conditions outlined. Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the variance request to allow a 10 foot front yard setback and a 10 foot side yard setback, based on the following findings and conditions: Findings 1) The literal enforcement of the ordinance would cause undue hardship because the applicant would not be able to meet setbacks for the pole building without adding a significant amount of fill or cutting down • mature oak trees. s:\planning\kendra\v96-08.doc