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Variance Narrative <br />V 20-13 <br /> <br /> <br />The Elk River Public Safety Building was constructed in the early 2000’s and met the needs of the <br />Fire Department at the time. A renovation/expansion is required now due to the growth of the <br />community, changes in fire apparatus, and new procedures and standards within the Fire Service <br />Industry as detailed in various updated NFPA Standards. Specifically, the Department seeks to add <br />two Apparatus Bays to the south end of the building and convert two of the three existing bays into <br />critical support spaces for the firefighters. This addition will encroach into the 30’ building setback <br />by just under 15’. This will put the building ~48’ from the back of curb on Orono Parkway. There <br />are no “optional” components of the proposed project nor can the portion of the building that <br />encroaches into the setback be feasibly located in any other portion of the parcel. Therefore, the <br />City is requesting a variance to allow the proposed building to extend into the setback. <br /> <br />The project complies with all five tests for a Variance. <br /> <br />1. Harmony with Ordinance: Encroachment on the setback only occurs at a very small portion <br />(84’) of the 1000’ long south property line. All other aspects of the parcel comply with or <br />exceed the requirements of the zoning ordinance, including the drive lanes east and west of <br />the encroaching apparatus bays. <br /> <br />2. Consistency with Comprehensive Plan: The use of the site will not change as a result of this <br />addition and is therefore consistent with the Comprehensive Plan approved by Council on <br />05-19-2014. <br /> <br /> <br />3. Reasonable Manner: The use of the land within the 30’ setback for a building addition is <br />reasonable in that it’s height conforms to the existing structure, it is not excessive in square <br />footage, and it’s purpose is directly related to continued emergency response and the health <br />and welfare of the firefighters. It is critical that the new apparatus bays are adjacent to the <br />retained existing apparatus bay, that they allow for vehicular access from both the east and <br />west side, and that they are located close to Orono Parkway for timely emergency response. <br /> <br />4. Plight of the Petitioner: The Department is not inventing a need for this encroachment nor <br />did they create the problems this project will resolve. Rather, the Department is constrained <br />by the location of the existing building as well as changes that have occurred in the fire <br />service industry that precipitated the project to begin with, namely the following: <br />a. It is no longer considered appropriate for the PPE to be stored along the walls of the <br />apparatus bays, as the heat-resistive fibers are susceptible to UV Light and Diesel <br />Exhaust Particulates – it must be stored in a separate space with dedicated <br />ventilation. <br />b. Requirements for decontamination of equipment and PPE are strict and require large <br />specialized equipment. <br />c. Shower facilities and lockers are critical allow all staff to decontaminate themselves <br />within one hour of returning from a call. This removes cancer-causing fireground