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Memo to Mayor and City Council/V 96-1 Page 2 <br />March 18, 1996 <br /> <br />Simonet drive. Best Point of Lake Orono is a 23 lot subdivision approved in <br />1955. The property is approximately .36 acres in size, about 211 feet deep, 75 <br />feet wide and is similar to other properties in the subdivision. The applicant <br />currently has a 20' X 24' detached garage located on the south side of the lot in <br />front of the house. <br /> <br />The applicant has indicated that the variance is needed to allow for easier access <br />to the garage and to preserve the existing front yard. There is currently about <br />80 feet between the existing shed and the house. Complying with the 30 foot <br />setback requirement from the ROW would still allow for about 45 feet between <br />the proposed garage and the house. <br /> <br />The site is level with no topographic limitations affecting the placement of the <br />proposed second garage. There are also no physical or vegetative constraints <br />that would prohibit the applicant from complying with the 30 foot setback <br />requirement. There does not appear to be any special conditions unique to this <br />site that are not applicable to other properties in the area. The variance may <br />impact the aesthetics of the neighborhood; of the 23 lots in the subdivision, there <br />appears to be one property with a storage shed that violates the front yard <br />setback and possibly one garage that does. A review of our files did not indicate <br />that these structures were granted setback variances. <br /> <br />Elk River Utilities <br /> <br />The Elk River Municipal Utilities has expressed concern regarding the proximity <br />of the proposed garage to the existing overhead distribution line. The <br />distribution line is located about 12 feet from the existing storage shed. They <br />indicated that there should be a minimum of 15 feet between the distribution <br />line and the proposed garage. It was also noted that if the variance is granted, <br />the City should be given a recorded easement on the front 10 feet from the <br />property line in. <br /> <br />Planning Commission Recommendation <br /> <br />At its February 27, 1996 meeting, the Planning Commission concurred with staff <br />and found that this request does not meet the five standards required to grant a <br />variance. Therefore, the Planning Commission recommended denial of the 10 <br />foot front yard setback variance. The applicant submitted letters signed by <br />neighboring property owners indicating that they are not opposed to the <br />granting of the variance. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br /> <br />s:Xplanning\scottXv96- lcc.doc <br /> <br /> <br />