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PC MinutesCHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JUNE 20, 2023 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Noyes called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Eric Noyes, Erik Johnson, Perry Schwartz, Edward Goff, Steve Jobe. MEMBERS ABSENT: Kelsey Alto, Ryan Soller. STAFF PRESENT: MacKenzie Young-Walters, Associate Planner; Eric Maass, Planning Director. PUBLIC PRESENT: Allison Schmitt 206 W 78th Street Darlene Hanson 7750 Crimson Bay Rd Mary Sumners 7620 Crimson Bay Road, Jennifer Graves 7660 Crimson Bay Road, Megan Eason Life Time Fitness, 2900 Corporate Place Gage Thompson Life Time Fitness, 2900 Corporate Place PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. CONSIDER A REQUEST SIDE YARD SETBACK, LOT COVER, AND OTHER VARIANCES TO BUILD A GARAGE FOR A PROPERTY LOCATED AT 206 W 78TH STREET AND ZONED SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL Associate Planner Young-Walters gave a summary of the staff report, noting the applicant is requesting a variance to replace a detached garage with a nonconforming 1.3-foot side yard setback, with a larger detached garage with a four-foot side yard setback. As part of the proposal the applicant proposes to vacate a section of alleyway to offset some of the increased lot cover requested. The current garage is 216 square feet and 1.3 feet from the side lot line and the proposed garage is 528 square feet and four feet from the side lot line. The larger size of the proposed garage and associated increase in driveway size will increase the property’s lot cover from 22.7 percent to 28.5 percent. The applicant also proposes maintaining the driveway’s nonconforming three-foot side setback while increasing the driveway length. He noted that although the proposal increases the detached garage’s side yard setback, the increased lot cover, driveway length, and increased structure footprint within the side yard setback require variances. Mr. Young-Walters shared justification for the project including location of existing home and driveway make it impractical to build a garage meeting side yard setbacks, the small size of the parcel makes it impossible to meet the 25% lot cover limit, and the desire to retain as much usable rear yard space on the smaller lot. Staff believes this is a reasonable request and the Planning Commission Minutes – June 20, 2023 2 unique circumstances justify the four-foot side yard setback and 30 percent lot cover be permitted to facilitate the construction of a driveway turnaround. Chair Noyes opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chair Noyes closed the public hearing. Commissioner Jobe moved, Commissioner Schwartz seconded that the Chanhassen Board of Appeals and Adjustments, approves the requested 6-foot side yard setback, 2-foot driveway setback, and 5 percent lot cover variances for the construction of a detached garage subject to the conditions of approval, and adopts the attached Findings of Fact and Decision. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. 2. CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE MAP FROM RESIDENTIAL – LARGE LOT (2.5 ACRE MINIMUM) TO RESIDENTIAL – LOW DENSITY (NET DENSITY 1.2-4 UNITS PER ACRE). PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7620-7750 CRIMSON BAY ROAD Planning Director Maass noted three individuals listed in the packet and that Ms. Darlene Hanson was having difficulty with the application; Staff attempted to be customer-friendly and helped write the application and talked with neighbors. There was some confusion with neighbors regarding what they were signing on or showing support for and were not intending to sign on as applicants. He clarified that the individuals were comfortable with Ms. Hanson subdividing into two lots and staff interpreted that they were signing as applicants. Ms. Maass gave a summary of the staff report and noted staff received several email today from concerned residents. He shared the difference between land use and zoning, noting tonight before the Commission is a change to the property’s land use designation. He shared that the current land use is Residential – Large Lot and the application for Residential – Low Density for Crimson Bay. This would include the extension of water and sewer and a road project is underway that would extend utilities to the five properties shown on screen. Mr. Maass shared a portion of the City’s Comprehensive Plan that notes properties shall not be rezoned until urban services are available and land use may only be intensified on the property has access to urban services. Commissioner Schwartz asked about cutting off access to Crimson Bay from Highway 5 as part of the road project. Mr. Maass replied that public access would be restricted and they are planning on keeping emergency access available. Commissioner Schwartz asked if homeowners would bear the cost of bringing city services to their area. Mr. Maass replied that subject to the city’s assessment policy, homeowners would bear a portion of that cost. Commissioner Goff asked if there is a negative to changing the land use policy.