Board of Adjustments Packet - May 28, 2024

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V 24-06 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 am writing to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding our request for a parking variance for the proposed 60-unit affordable senior project. As we prepare to submit our application for funding from Minnesota Housing this summer, it is essential to articulate the necessity of this variance and how it directly contributes to the feasibility and competitiveness of our project. Our project aims to address the critical need for affordable housing options for seniors in our community. However, complying with the existing code, which requires 2.5 stalls per unit and 1 covered stall per unit, presents significant challenges that could potentially jeopardize the viability of the development. The primary reason for requesting the parking variance is rooted in the limitations imposed by the current code. Requiring 1 covered stall per unit would necessitate an underground garage larger than the building footprint, significantly increasing construction costs and rendering the project financially unfeasible. We are proposing 44 covered stalls and 76 surface stalls for a total of 120 parking spaces for the 60 units. By requesting a variance to reduce the parking ratio to 2 stalls per unit and provide 44 covered stalls in total, we aim to strike a balance between compliance and practicality. This adjustment not only aligns with the needs of our target demographic but also ensures that the project remains economically viable. Furthermore, obtaining approval for the parking variance would enhance the competitiveness of our funding application to Minnesota Housing. Granting a parking variance that would reduce the cost of the development would allow us to claim points in the applications "Other Contributions" category. It is crucial to emphasize that the proposed parking variance does not compromise safety, accessibility, or the overall functionality of the development. We remain committed to adhering to all relevant regulations and standards while also prioritizing the needs of our future residents. In conclusion, the approval of the parking variance is essential for advancing our mission of providing affordable housing for seniors. It directly contributes to the financial feasibility and competitiveness of our project, ultimately enabling us to better serve our community. Thank you for considering our request. We are available to provide any additional information or clarification you may require and look forward to the opportunity to collaborate on this important initiative. Page 15 of 29