5.1. BASR 10-24-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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V 23-09 Narrative The narrative is your opportunity to describe, promote, and sell your proposal to the Board of Adjustment and City Council (if needed) and should explain your request in detail and how the five criteria are met in order to be granted a variance. I'm looking to build a small detached garage on the NE corner of my property. This garage will be used for personal storage of lawn equipment, snowmobile, etc. The garage will be an exact match to the house, same siding, roofing, shake, stone, doors, etc. There will be no driveway to this garage. I'm looking to get a variance for the location. I would like to place it 35 feet from the south curb of 186th Ave NW (which is to the north), and 10 feet from my back (east) property line. See attached diagram. I spoke with Chris Leeseberg from the City of Elk River and he said I would need to apply for a variance in regards to the location, relative to the north property line, because my desired location is outside of the buildable area of my lot. I also spoke with Ryan Sandhoefner from the City of Elk River, and he informed me the city does not have any underground utilities in my desired location. Placing the garage in my desired location makes it very usable for me, and is also the most aesthetically pleasing for the city and neighborhood. It is very common to have a detached structure slightly offset from the main structure. I would say this is actually more common than having the detached garage directly behind the existing garage, which is where the current buildable area allows. A variance may be granted by the board only if it finds that: The variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance. The intent of the ordinance is to keep all neighboring structures aligned, and maintain a uniform and aesthetically pleasing appearance throughout the neighborhood. There are no other/neighboring structures along this section of 186th Ave NW. The variance is consistent with the City of Elk River Comprehensive Plan (discuss with city staff in needed) Yes Variances may be granted when the petitioner establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. Practical difficulties means that: The petitioner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning ordinance. This structure would be used for storage of lawn equipment, such as a lawn tractor/riding mower, push mower, weed trimmer, rakes, shovels, hoses, tools, etc. It would also be used to store a snowmobile.