Board of Adjustments Packet - August 26, 2025

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The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity Request for Action To Board of Adjustments Item Number 5.1 Meeting Date August 26, 2025 Prepared By Chris Leeseberg, Senior Planner Item Description Variance: Garage/Accessory Dwelling Unit Size, Jennifer Belde - 21131 Vernon St NW Reviewed by Zack Carlton Action Requested Deny, by motion, the accessory structure size variances for the following reasons: 1. The variance is not in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance, as the proposed ADU exceeds the maximum allowable living area by 600 square feet and the accessory structure exceeds the permitted size by 148 square feet, undermining the ordinance standards intended to ensure ADUs remain subordinate to the principal dwelling and that accessory structures remain consistent with neighborhood character. 2. The variance is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, which anticipates orderly residential development supported by zoning standards. Granting the variance would conflict with the implementing ordinances that guide residential scale and character. 3. The property can be reasonably used without the variance, as the zoning ordinance already permits a 1,000 square foot ADU and accessory structures up to 2,500 square feet. A compliant ADU and garage could be constructed without exceeding size limits. 4. The plight of the applicant is not due to circumstances unique to the property, but rather a result of the existing home and garage design, which does not justify exceeding ordinance limits. Economic considerations or design preferences do not constitute practical difficulties. 5. Granting the variance could alter the essential character of the locality, as the size of the proposed ADU may compete in scale with principal dwellings, changing the intended residential character of the R-1a district. Background/Discussion The 1.6-acre property, zoned R1-a (Single-Family Residential), is permitted a maximum of 2,500 sq.ft. of accessory structure space, including accessory dwelling units (ADU), and a maximum of 1,000 sq.ft. of ADUs. They are proposing a total of 2,648 sq.ft. of accessory structures exceeding the maximum allowed by 148 sq.ft. as well as proposing 1,600 sq.ft. of ADU exceeding the maximum allowed by 600 sq.ft.. They are requesting the variances to build a dual-purpose building on their property as they are planning for a father-in-law who retired last year and a disabled sister-in-law to move in with them and provide comfortable Page 5 of 52