24-18 Signed Findings of FactCITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES. MINNESOTA
FINDINGS OF FACT
AND DECISION
IN RE:
Application by Owner Chris Campbell for a bluffand bluff setback variance on a property zoned
Single Family Residential District (RSF) - Planning Case 2024- I 8.
On November 4, the Chanhassen Planning Commission, acting as the Board ofAppeals and
Adjustments, met at its regularly scheduled meeting to consider the application. The Planning
Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed variance preceded by published and
mailed notice. The Board of Appeals and Adjustments makes the following:
FINDIN(;S OF FACT
l. The property is cunently zoned Single Family Residential District (RSF).
2. The property is guided in the Chanhassen Comprehensive Plan for Residential Low Density.
3. The property legal description as described in Exhibit A.
4. Variance F - Section 20-58 ofthe City Code provides the following criteria for the
granting of a variance:
a. Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes
and intent of this Chapter and when the variances are consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Finding: The requested variance fulfills the intent of this chapter and is consistent with
the comprehensive Plan.
b. When there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. "Practical
difficulties,'as used in connection with the granting ofa variance, means that the property
owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by this Chapter.
Practicil difficulties include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to direct sunlight
for solar energy systems.
Finding: The property owner proposes to build an addition to an existing ptincipal
,tru"tuie. Thi existing principal struclure was built in 1986 and built partially into the
bluff. The proposed addition is a reasonable request and the location of the existing
principal slruclure in lhe bluffcreotes a practical difrculty in the proposed addition
complyingwith the city code. Additionally, the property has significant wetlands present
on site further restricling the buildable area on the property which restricts the
opportunity for a detached struclure lo serve lhe same purpose as the proposed oddition
to the principol struclure. The construclion o.f the home in 1986 into the bluff and the
presence of wetlands on the property creote o proctical dfficulty in using the property in
o reasonable manner in a'way lhal would comply with city code thus a variance is
necessary.
c. That the purpose ofthe variation is not based upon economic considerations alone.
Finding: The purpose of the variance is nol based upon economic considerations alone.
d. The plight ofthe landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by
the landowner.
Finding: The home was built in 1986 by a previous owner of the property. The dwelling
is restricted by the bluff and wetland on the property.
The variance, ifgranted, will not alter the essential character ofthe locality.
Finding: The applicont is proposing an addition in charocler wilh the current primary
struclure.
f. Variances shall be granted for earth-sheltered construction as defined in Minnesota
Statutes Section 216C.06, subdivision 14. when in harmony with this Chapter.
Finding: This is not applicable to the requesl
5 The planning repoft #2024-18, dated October 28 ,2024, prepared by Rachel Arsenault
is incorporated herein.
The Planning Commission approves the requested variance to build an addition to the single-
family home within the bluffand require bluff setbacks subject to the following conditions.
Proposed building improvements shall be built consistent with the plans submitted
with the variance application.
Building plans must provide sufficient information to verify that proposed building
meets all requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code, additional comments or
requirements may be required after plan review.
6261 Calpin Blvd
November 4. 2024
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DECISION
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November 4. 2024
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3. A building permit must be obtained before beginning any construction.
Retaining walls (ifpresent) more than four feet high, measured from the bottom of
the footing to the top ofthe wall, must be designed by a professional engineer and a
building permit must be obtained prior to construction. Retaining walls (if present)
under lour leet in height require a zoning permit.
Shall obtain all other required permits and adhere to regulations from outside
agencies, such as Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
Provide a grading sheet to show how grading from the new structure will tie into the
bluff.
Install silt fence around the improvements and other BMPs as necessary.
No construction staging on the bluff or the wetland.
Add the edge ofthe tree canopy line to the building plans.
Tree protection fencing should be placed outside ofthe dripline oftrees that are
intended to be preserved.
ADOPTED by the Chanhassen Planning Commission this 4th day of mber 2024.
CHANHA ENP G MMISSION
BY:
Its Chairman
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Exhibit A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
That part of the Northeast ] of Section 3, Township I 16, Rangc 23:
Bcginning at a point in thc North linc of said Norlhcast { dirtant 1,80f,
feet West of the Northeast conler thereof; thence West (assumed bearing)
along the North line of said Northeast * to a poinr 212 feet East ol the
Northwest comer thereofi thence South 09 degrces 48 minutes East,535
feet; thence South l2 degrees 08 minutes West,47.7 feet; thence North
84 degrees 34 minutes East, 293.1 feetl thence North 36 dcgrees 09
minutes East, 261 .52 feetl thence South 53 degrees 04 minutcs llast to
intersection with a line drawn South frorn the point of beginning and at a
right angle.