10-26-2004 BA MIN • MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2004
Members Present: Chair Ropp,Commissioners Anderson,Lemke,Offerman,Scott,Stevens
and Westgaard
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Michele McPherson,Director of Planning: Scott Harlicker,Senior Planner;
Chris Leeseberg,Planner,Terry Maurer,City Engineer;Debbie Huebner,
Recording Secretary
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof,the meeting of the Elk River Board of Adjustments
was called to order at 6:30 p.m.by Chair Ropp.
2. Consider 10/26/04 Board of Adjustments Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER OFFERMAN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 26,2004
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
• 3. Consider 9/28/04 Board of Adjustments Minutes
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 28,2004,BOARD
OF ADJUSTMENTS MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
4.1. Request by John Plaisted for Lot Width and Building Setback Variance,Public Hearing—
Case No.V 04-07
Director of Planning Michele McPherson stated that John Plaisted is requesting a lot width
variance to reduce the lot width from 80 feet to 77 feet,and to grant a building setback
variance from 10 feet to 0 feet to allow the construction of two zero lot line dwellings at
18860 Concord Street. She stated that there is an existing home on the 1.66-acre parcel. Ms.
McPherson reviewed the five findings which must be met in order to grant a variance. Staff
recommends approval of the lot width variance of 3 feet,but recommends denial of the zero
setback variance, stating that constructing two custom-designed homes would better fit the
topography and vegetation on the site,as opposed to a twin home.
Chair Ropp opened the public hearing.
Ross Abel of John Oliver&Associates,representative for the applicant—Stated that
they feel a twinhome would have the least impact on the lot,as far as tree removal and fill
replacement are concerned.
There being no further comments from the public,Chair Ropp closed the public hearing.
Board of Adjustment Minutes
October 26,2004 Page 2
Commissioner Anderson stated that he agreed with staff's recommendation to approve the
• lot width variance and deny the setback variance. He felt two custom-designed homes
would have less impact on the topography and vegetation. Commissioner Stevens
concurred, stating that he felt the applicant should be able to work within the lot lines of
each lot to construct a home.
Chair Ropp stated that he would recommend denial of the setback variance, since Condition
#4 cannot be met.
Commissioner Lemke asked why zero lot line setbacks have been allowed in the past,and
where. Ms.McPherson stated that an example would be in the R2 zoning district where a
property owner wanted to sell one-half of a duplex and an administrative subdivision was
granted to split the property.
Commissioner Offerman stated that he was sympathetic to the applicant,given the
significant grade issues on the site,but that he did not support the setback variance.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STEVENS AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER OFFERMAN TO APPROVE THE 3-FOOT LOT WIDTH
VARIANCE, BUT TO DENY THE ZERO SETBACK VARIANCE. MOTION
CARRIED 7-0.
5. Adjournment
There being no further business,MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ANDERSON AND
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LEMKE TO APPROVE ADJOURN THE
MEETING. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Board of Adjustments adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
,fie
Debbie Huebner
Recording Secretary
•