25-05 Signed findings of factCITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND IIENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
FINDINGS OF FACT
AND DECISION
IN RE
Application of Xpand Inc. fbr a rear yard setback variance to allow a horne addition to encroach
approxir.nately 3 feet into the rear setback on a property zoned Planned Unit Developmer.rt -
Residential District (PUDR) Planning Case 2025-05.
On April l5th, the Chanhassen Planning Commission, acting as thc Board of Appcals and
Adjustments, met at its regularly scheduled meeting to considcr the application. The Planning
Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed variance preceded by published and matled
notice. The Board of Appeals and Adjustments rnakes the following:
I . The propeny is currently zoned Planned Unit Development - Residential District (PUDR).
2. The property is guided in the Chanhassen Comprehensive Plan for Residential Low Density
The legal description of the property is:
Lot 3, Block 4, The Bluffs at Lake Lucy, Carver County, Minnesota.
J. Variancc Findinqs Scction 20-58 ofthc Cit y Codc providcs thc tbllowing critcria for thc
granting of a variance
Variances shall only be pennitted when they are in hannony with the general purposes and
intcnt of this Chapter and when the variances are coltsistent with the Comprehensive PIan.
Finding: The house expansion at 7030 Lucy Ridgc Lane proposes adding a recreational
addition to the home. which would maintain a setback of22 feet tiont the westem property
line. The westem property line is designated as tlte "rear" property line for 7030 Lucy Ridge
Lane. That same property line is considered a "side" property line fbr the adjacent propety
localed at l8l3 Lucy Ridge Circle, which requires a nrininrum T.5-foot setback. Based on the
orientation of the two homes at 7030 Lucy Ridge Lanc and 13'13 Lucy Ridge Circle, their
sharcd propcrty linc operatcs lrore as a stdc yard, and the proposcd building addition at 7030
Lucy Ridge Lane would tnaintain a 22-lbot setback. wliereas the structure at ltll3 Lucy
Ridgc Circle maintains a l6-foot sctback.
a
b. Whcn there arc practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinancc. "Practical
difficullies" as used in connection with the granting of a variance, means that the property
owncr proposes to use thc propcrty in a rcasonable manncr not pcrmitted by this Chapter.
Practical difficulties include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to direct sunlight for
solar cncrgy systcms,
I
FINDI:-CS 0F FAC'I
Finding: The orientation of the honie with the front door facing thc norlh property line and
the garage fhcing the east property line creates a situation whereby visually, the traditlonal
"front" of the home does not face the "front" property line. The proposed home addition is
reasonable, and practical diflculty in adhering to the ordinance can be attributed to the shapc
ofthe lot, its dual frontages, and the orientation of the honre and its impact on the front, rear.
front comer. and side yard line designations.
c That the purpose of the variation is not based upon economic considcrations alone
Finding: The proposed variance is not based upon economic considerations alone
d, The plight ofthc landowncr is dr.tc to circumstances unique to thc propcrty not created by thc
landowner.
Finding: The property located at 7030 Lucy Ridge Lane was established in a way that the
property width supported the construction of a home that its orientation would create
ambigurty between designations of rear and side lot lines and the result of a shared property
line operating as a rear property line fbr the property at 7030 Lucy Ridge Lane and as a side
property line for the property at l8l3 Lucy Ridge Circle.
The variance. ilgranted, will not alter the essential character of the locality.
Finding: Tlre proposed addition is showtr to maintain a Zz-foot rear yard setback from the
shared property line with I 8 l3 Lucy Ridge Circle. The principal stmcture at I 8 I 3 Lucy
Ridge Circlc maintains a 16-foot setback front the shared propcrty line. As a result, the
proposed addition will not alter the essential character of the locality.
f, Variances sliall be granted for earth-sheltered construction as dellned in Minnesota Statutes
Section 216C.06. subdivision 14. whsn in hannony with this Chaptcr.
Finding: The proposed sport court is not an earth-sheltered construction
4. The planning report #2025-05, dated April 9.2025, prepared by Rachel Jeske, is incorporated
herein.
t) t.t( tsto\
The Planning Commission approves the requested rear yard setback variance strbject to the Findings
of F'act outlincd abovc.
ADOPTED by thc Chanhasscn Planntng Conrmission this 15th day of April, 2025
CITY OF-C Nu
('h
c
BY
II
2
alr
SSEN