11-24-2020 BA MINMeeting of the
Elk River Board of Adjustments
Held at Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Members Present: Chair Jill Larson Johnson, Commissioners Perry Beise, Alexander
Feinstein, Eric Johnson, John Jordan, Robert Rydberg, and Brad
Thiel (all via Zoom)
Members Absent: none
Also Present: Councilmember/Liaison Nate Ovall
Staff Present: Planning Manager Zack Carlton, Senior Planner Chris Leeseberg, and
Sr. Admin. Assistant/Recording Secretary Jennifer Green
I . 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 Larson -Vito.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was not recited due to the commission meeting via Zoom.
3. Consider November 24, 2020, Board of Adjustments Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to
approve the November 24, 2020, Board of Adjustments agenda.
Motion carried 7-0.
4. Consider October 27, 2020, Board of Adjustments Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Thiel and seconded by Commissioner Rydberg to
approve the October 27, 2020, Board of Adjustments minutes.
Motion carried 7-0.
Board of Adjustments Minutes
November 24, 2020
5.1 City of Elk River- Fire Station #3, 9921 19 I s` Ave. NW, Case No.
V 20-17
Page 2
■ Driveway width variance allowing two driveways to exceed the
30 -foot width limit
■ Variance to allow two additional driveways
Mr. Carlton presented the staff report.
Chair Larson -Vito opened the public hearing.
There being no one to speak, Chair Larson -Vito closed the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Beise and seconded by Commissioner Rydberg to
approve the variance request by the City of Elk River to allow two driveways
at 60 -feet and 85 -feet wide for the following reasons:
1. The general purpose and intent of the ordinance are met.
2. The property has a land use of Public/ Institutional and the use is
consistent with the comprehensive plan.
3. The proposed use is reasonable and is permitted in the zoning
ordinance.
4. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the
property not a consequence of the petitioner's own action or inaction.
5. The variance will not alter the essential character of the locality.
And approve the variance request by the City of Elk River permitting
construction of four driveways for the fire station property, for the following
reasons:
1. The general purpose and intent of the ordinance are met.
2. The property has a land use of Public/ Institutional and the use is
consistent with the comprehensive plan.
3. The proposed use is reasonable and is permitted in the zoning
ordinance.
4. The plight of the petitioner is due to circumstances unique to the
property not a consequence of the petitioner's own action or inaction.
5. The variance will not alter the essential character of the locality.
Any appeals to this variance approval need to be turned in by December 4, 2020, to
be reviewed at the December 21, 2020, City Council meeting.
Councilmember Ovall asked if the ordinance should be reviewed or amended when
the city is requesting variances.
Mr. Carlton stated he will discuss with the city attorney and research how other cities
handle their internal variance requests.
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Board of Adjustments Minutes Page 3
November 24, 2020
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6. Adjournment
There being no further business, Chair Larson -Vito adjourned the meeting of the
Elk River Board of Adjustments at 6:39 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green.
Tina Allard
City Clerk
Jill L4/son-Vito
Planning Commission Chair
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