3 Variance 960 Lake Susan DriveCITY OF
BOA DATE: 6/10/96
CC DATE:
CASE #: 96-5 VAR
By: Rask:v
STAFF
REPORT
I-
Z
PROPOSAL:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT:
A five (5) foot side yard setback variance request for the construction of a garage
addifiom
960 Lake Susan Drive, Lot 7, Block 2, Chonhassen Hills 2nd Addition
Dave Bloomquist
960 Lake Susan Drive
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(612) 9464215
~ Submitied to Coaacil
PRESENT ZONING:
ACREAGE:
DENSITY:
ADJACENT ZONING
AND LAND USE:
WATER AND SEWER:
PHYSICAL CHARACTER:
2000 LAND USE PLAN:
PUD-R, Planned Unit Development- Residential
Approximately 12,800 Square Feet
N/A
N - PUD-R, Planned Unit Development, Residential
S - PUD-R, Planned Unit Development, Residential
E - PUD-R, Planned Unit Development, Residential
W- PUD-R, Planned Unit Development, Residential
:
Available to the Site
The site is level at the location of the proposed garage addition.
Low Density Residential
Bloomquist Variance
June 10, 1996
Page 2
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
Section 20-506 (e)(4) states that the side yard setback shall be ten (10) feet in a PUD Single Family
Zoned District.
BACKGROUND
In October of 1986, the City Council approved Chanhassen Hills plat consisting of 180 single
family and 52 multi-family units. The development includes 124 acres with a net density of 2.49
units per acre for the single family portion. Multi-family units were approved on the east side of
Great Plains Blvd. Lake Susan Drive would be extended to the east to serve these units. As of
today's date, this property remains vacant.
Lot sizes in Chanhassen Hills range from 11,200 square feet to 150,195 square feet with the median
at 14,466 square feet. The average lot size is 17,450 square feet. There are 95 lots below 15,000
square feet and 85 lots above 15,000 square feet. Approximately 130 lots have lot widths over 80
feet. The remaining 50 lots have a width between 65 and 80 feet; however, a majority of these lots
are along cul-de-sacs.
The applicant is requesting a variance from the setback requirement to add a third stall to his
existing garage. In a letter to the Board, the applicant indicates that a unique situation exists with
his lot being situated next to a comer lot. This lot configuration provides a 98 foot separation
between the two homes. In addition, the applicant finds a hardship in the location of the existing
home and attached garage as it is centered in the lot which prevents the placement of a garage
addition (see letter from applicant).
ANALYSIS
Staff recommends denial of the variance appeal as the applicant has not demonstrated a hardship
that would warrant the granting of a variance. The Chanhassen City Code provides specific
findings that the Board of Adjustment and Appeals must consider when approving a variance. The
hardships identified by the applicant are inconsistent with these findings. Further, the applicant
enjoys a reasonable use of the property, as defined by city ordinance, with the existing home and
two car garage. If approved, the request would create a standard that deviates from other properties
within the same subdivision. Staff is unaware of any other variances granted in this subdivision for
garage or home additions.
The granting of this variance would be inconsistent with comparable properties in the area. All
other properties maintain the minimum setback requirements. The lots in Chanhassen Hills were
Bloomquist Variance
June 10, 1996
Page 3
created, by the developer, knowing that the size of the lot would dictate the size of the home and
attached garage.
FINDINGS
The Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall not recommend and the City Council shall not grant a
variance unless they find the following facts:
That the literal enforcement of this chapter would cause undue hardship. Undue hardship
means that the property cannot be put to reasonable use because of its size, physical
· surrounclin~% shape or topography. Reasonable use includes a use made by a majority of
comparable property within 500 feet of it. The intent of this provision is not to allow a
proliferation of variances, but to recognize that there are pre-existing standards in this
neighborhood. Variances that blend with these pre-existing standards without departing
downward from them meet this criteria.
Finding: The applicant already enjoys a reasonable use of the property with the existing
home and two car garage. All other homes within 500 feet meet the required side yard
setback requirement. The granting of this variance would be inconsistent with comparable
properties. Granting a variance for a third stall garage may cause a proliferation of
variances as other properties have similar hardships.
The conditions upon which a petition for a variance is based are not applicable, generally, to
other property within the same zoning classification.
Finding: The request, if approved, would create a standard that deviates from the
surrounding property within the same subdivision and surrounding area. Other properties in
this PUD have reduced lot size and width.
The purpose of the variation is not based upon a desire to increase the value or income
potential of the parcel of land.
Finding: Whereas, the variance may not be based upon a desire to increase the value or
income potential of the land, the variance would be inconsistent with the neighborhood as
no other variances have been granted within this subdivision.
d. The alleged difficulty or hardship is not a self-created hardship.
Finding: The hardship appears to be self-created as the existing home and garage was
located 17.5 feet from the south property line. A 90 foot wide lot makes it difficult to add a
Bloomquisl Variance
June 10, 1996
Page 4
third stall to a garage without encroaching into required setbacks.. These limitations were
in place when the applicant purchased the property and he should have been aware of these
limiting factors.
The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to
other land or improvements in the neighborhood in which the parcel is located.
Finding: The variance should not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other
properties as appropriate separations will be maintained.
The proposed variation will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent
property or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets or increases the danger
of fire or endanger the public safety or substantially diminish or impair property values
within the neighborhood.
Finding: If approved, the proposed garage would be approximately 85 feet from the
neighboring home and five feet from the lot line. A five foot separation should not
negatively impact light and air to the neighboring property.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Board of Adjustment and Appeals adopt the following motion:
"The Board of Adjustments denies the five (5) foot side yard variance request based on the findings
presented in the staff report. More specifically, the Board finds the following:
1. The applicant has a reasonable use of the property with the existing home and two car garage.
2. The applicant has not demonstrated a hardship that would warrant the granting of a variance.
3. The request, if approved, would create a standard that deviates from surrounding properties."
ATTACHMENTS
1. Written description of variance request
2. Survey showing proposed garage addition
3. Survey showing garage addition in relation to neighboring property
4. Application
5. List of properties within 500 feet and size of garage on each property.
960 Lake Susan DHve
Chnnhassen, MN 55317
City of Chanhassen
Planning Department
690 Coulter Drive
Chenhassen, MN 55317
RE: Variance Application for 960 Lake Susan Drive, Chanhassen Hills, 2nd Addition
We are applying for a variance to add a standard 12 foot, third-car garage stall to our
present two-car garage. We need a variance due to the 10-foot setback requirement from
the lot line.
Approximately 50% of the homes in this development have three car garages, including
two of the neighbors on either side of us. We bought the house as an existing model
home.
The house of our nearest neighbor adjoining the property is 98 feet away from the current
garage. They have expressed no concern for our applying for a variance and adding a
garage stall.
Due to the lot shape, we have 19.5 feet from the present garage to the lot line at the front
of the garage and 17.5 feet at the rear of the present garage location. If the house was at
least centered on the lot or biased slightly to the east, the variance would not be needed.
Because of the placement on the lot, we could put a garage on the other side of the house
and run a second driveway without requiring a variance at all. The builder's placement of
the house on the lot and the city's approval of the placement has created this undue
hardship.
/
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CITY OF CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE
CHANHASSEN, MN 55317
(612) 937-1900
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW APPLICATION
z.5o
OWNER:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE:
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
.T. empomry Sales Permit
Conditional Use Permit
Vacation of ROW/Easements
Interim Use Permit
~Vadance
Non-conforming Use Permit
Planned Unit Development*
Wetland Alteration Permit
Zoning Appeal
Rezoning
Zoning Ordinance Amendment
Sign Permits
Sign Plan Review
Notification Sign
Site Plan Review*
Subdivision*
X Escrow for Filing Fees/Attorney Cost**
($50 CU P/SPRNACNAR/VVAP/Metes
and B~,unds, $400 Minor SUB)
TOTAL FEE $ ~(/'?
',4'
A list of all property owners within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property must be included with the
application.
Escrow will be required for other applications through the development contract C~ s-u'-~
NOTE - When multiple applications am processed, the appropriate fee shall be charged for each application.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
TOTAL ACREAGE
WETLANDS PRESENT
PRESENT ZONING
REQUESTED ZONING
PRESENT LAND USE DESIGNATION
REQUESTED LAND USE DESIGNATION
REASON FOR THIS REQUEST "FO
YES
,Po'b-P..
~NO
This application must be completed in full and be typewritten or clearly pdnted and must be accompanied by all information
and plans required by applicable City Ordinance provisions. Before filing this application, you should confer with the Planning
Department to determine the specific ordinance and procedural requirements applicable to your application.
A determination of completeness of the application shall be made within ten business days of application submittal. A wdtten
notice of application deficiencies shall be mailed to the applicant within ten business days of application, j
This is to certify that I am making application for the described action by the City and that I am responsible for complying with
all City requirements with regard to this request. This application should be processed in my name and I am the party whom
the City should contact regarding any matter pertaining to this application. I have attached a copy of proof of ownership
(either copy of Owner's Duplicate Certificate of Title, Abstract of 'l"~e or purchase agreement), or I am the authorized person
to make this application and the fee owner has also signed this application.
I will keep myself informed of the deadlines for submission of material and the progress of this application. I further
understand that additional fees may be charged for consulting fees, feasibility studies, etc. with an estimate pdor to any
authorization to proceed with the study. The documents and information I have submitted are true and correct to the best of
my 'knowledge.
The city hereby notifies the applicant that development review cannot be completed within 60 days due to public headng
requirements and agency review. Therefore, the city is notifying the applicant that the city requires an automatic 60 day
extension for development review. Development review shall be completed within 120 days unless additional review
extensions are approved by the applicant.
·
S~gnature of Applicant Date
Signature of Fee Owner
Application Received on,f
Fee Paid~.~5.~ ~'~
Date
Receipt No.
The applicant should contact staff for a copy of the staff report which will be available on Friday prior to the meeting.
If not contacted, a copy of the report will be mailed to the applicant's address.
ADDRESSES WITHIN APPROXIMATEI.Y 500 FEET OF OI IR PROPERTY
910 Lake Susan Drive--2 car garage
920 Lake Susan Drive--2 car garage
930 Lake Susan Drive--2 car garage
940 Lake Susan Drive-2-1/2 car garage
950 Lake Susan Drive--3 ear garage
980 Lake Susan Drive--2 ear garage
990 Lake Susan Drive--3 ear garage
991 Lake Susan Drive--3 car garage
1000 Lake Susan Drive--3 ear garage
1001 Lake Susan Drive--3 car garage
1010 Lake Susan Drive--3 ear garage
1011 Lake Susan Drive--3 ear garage
1020 Lake Susan Drive--3 ear garage
1021 Lake Susan Drive--3 ear garage
8616 Chan. Hills Drive S.--2 car garage
8593 Chart. Hills Drive S.--2 car garage
8750 Lake Susan Court--2 car garage
8821 Lake Susan Court--3 ear garage
8831 Lake Susan Court--2 car garage
8841 Lake Susan Court--2 car garage
8851 Lake Susan Court--3 car garage
8861 Lake Susan Court--2 car garage
8620 Chart. Hills Drive N.--2 car garage
8624 Chan. Hills Drive N.--3 car garage
8628 Chan. Hills Drive N.--2 car garage
8632 Chan. Hills Drive N--2 car garage
8636 Chart. Hills Drive N--3 car garage
1051 Barbara Court--3 car garage
1041 Barbara Court--3 car garage
1031 Barbara Court--3 car garage
991 Barbara Court--2 car garage
1001 Barbara Court--2 car garage
1011 Barbara Court--3 car garage