1984 07 09MINUTES
CHANHASSEN ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS
JULY 9, 1984
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dale Geving, Willard Johnson and Carol Watson.
STAFF PRESENT: Scott Martin, Community Development Director
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
PETITION FOR ZONING VARIANCE TO ALLOW ONE ADDITIONAL
SINGLE-FAMILY HOME TO BE MOVED ONTO THE CHES-MAR FARMS PROPERTY:
Martin explained that the petitioner was requesting a variance to
Section 19.15 of the Zoning Ordinance, which restricts each
zoning lot to only one principal structure.
The petitioner, Mr. Gary Kirt, was present to speak on behalf of
his request. He explained that he would like to move an existing
house onto the Ches-Mar Farms property, which currently has a
total of eleven (11) dwelling units located in four (4) separate
residential buildings. His proposal includes the removal of an
existing two-family home, which the Chanhassen Fire Department
has expressed an interest in for fire training purposes.
No other citizens were present for this hearing.
Watson moved, seconded by Geving, to approve a variance to
Section 19.15 of the City Zoning Ordinance to allow one addi-
tional single-family home to be moved onto the Ches-Mar Farms
property, subject to the location of the home meeting all other
ordinance requirements, and subject to the removal of the two-
family home following temporary use of said building by the
Chanhassen Fire Department for fire training purposes. All voted
in favor and the motion carried.
PETITION FOR ZONING AND SHORELAND MANAGEMENT REGULATION VARIANCES
TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOME ON A
SUBSTANDARD SIZE LOT, WITH REDUCED SIDE YARD AND LAKESHORE
BUILDING SETBACKS, LOT 26, BLOCK 1, RED CEDAR POINT: L.O.
PARSONS, OWNERS:
The following persons were present:
Joan Rask
Esther Rask
Mike and Susan Morgan
Earl Morgan
Paul Melchert
John Parsons
1030 Bridge Drive, Shoreview 55112
1285 Cohansey St., St. Paul 55117
3734 Hickory Road, Excelsior
3734 Hickory Road, Excelsior
203 Lakeview, Waconia 55387
7200 Juniper Drive, Excelsior
Louis & Margaret Parsons 7200 Juniper Drive, Excelsior
Maggie Cassidy 112733 Hundertmark Road, Chaska
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
AND APPEALS MINUTES
JULY 9, 1984
PAGE 2
Martin explained that the requested variances are the' same as
those requested last September, 1983.
Paul Melchert, attorney representing the petitioners, explained
that the Parsons had attempted to purchase additional land
adjoining their property and that they had also offered to sell
their lot to each of the adjoining property owners (Morgan and
Rask). He presented a copy of the letter sent to both property
owners (dated February 8, 1984) which spelled out their offer to
buy or sell. Melchert reminded the Board that the City Council
had directed Parsons last winter to attempt to buy additional
land to add to their lot, or in the alternative, to sell their
lot to an adjoining property owner. Both offers were refused by
each party, so the Parsons' have resubmitted their original
request for the required variances.
Melchert added that the Parsons' property must be allowed to be
put to a reasonable use and that no substantial harm or detriment
to the neighborhood would result if the variances were granted.
He also pointed out that the Parsons have owned this lot for 35
years.
Geving questioned why the lot could not be used as a beachlot for
access to Lake Minnewashta from the lot owned by the applicant
across Hickory.
John Parsons, the applicant's son, responded that the lot was
acquired with the intent to build a home on it at sometime and
that it was too valuable to be used only for lake access.
Mike Morgan, adjoining property owner, explained that he did not
respond to the Parsons' offer to sell their lot to him because
the price was prohibitive.
Geving asked if the applicant has considered redesigning the pro-
posed home to better fit the lot. John Parsons explained that
they would consider building a narrower home to meet sideyard
setback requirements, but that he was under the impression that
the City did not want to see a 20 foot wide home in the
neighborhood.
Martin explained that 20 feet is the minimum width allowed for
single family homes under City ordinance.
Geving felt that a compromise involving fewer variances would be
more acceptable to him, and suggested that the applicant consider
a redesign of the proposed home to more closely conform to set-
back requirements. He said that the Board has alot of problems
considering multiple variances if alternatives exist.
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS
AND APPEALS MINUTES
JULY 9, 1984
PAGE 3
Melchert suggested putting a building restriction on the other
vacant lot owned by the Parsons' located across the street from
the subject property. This would reduce the potential overall
density in the area and could be a tradeoff between the City and
the applicant for the granting of the requested variances.
Geving moved, seconded by Watson to refer this request to the
City Council without recommendation due to the magnitude and
potential precedent setting importance of this issue. All voted
in favor and the motion carried.
AD JOURNMEN T
Geving moved, seconded by Watson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:15
p.m. All voted in favor and the meeting was adjourned.