CR 99-23 Variance - Garage Height
GITY OF
February 25, 1999 ~ Council Report 99-23
HOPKINS
. VARIANCE - GARAGE HEIGHT
Proposed Action,
Staff recommends the following motion: Move to approve Resolution 99-6. denying a height
variance to an existing garage.
At the Zoning and Planning meeting, ML Gross moved and Mr, Brausen seconded a motion
to deny Resolution RZ98-30, denying a height variance, The motion was approved
unanimously,
Overview,
The applicant, Joe Haubenhofer, is applying for a height variance to construct an accessory
building. The applicant's property is located at 301 Wilshire Walk. The applicant is
proposing to construct a Cape Cod style garage that will be approximately 20 feet in height,
The zoning ordinance requires a IS-foot maximum height to the highest point for accessory
structures, A garage is considered an accessory structure.
The staff has contacted Mr, Haubenhofer for a side elevation to determine if the variance is
e needed with the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. As of the date this report, Mr,
Haubenhofer has not submitted a side elevation to allow staff to determine the height,
Hopefully by the night of the council meeting staff will have this information,
.Primarv Issues to Consider,
. What is the zoning of the property, and how has the Comprehensive Plan
designated the subject site?
. What does the ordinance require?
. What are the specifics of the variance?
. Does the property have a hardship?
. Does the applicant have reasonable use of the property without the variance?
. What was the discussion at the Zoning and Planning meeting?
SUPDortin2 Documents,
. Analysis of issues
. Garage elevation plans
. Site plan
. Resolution 99-6
. AChtiMoon
Nancy , Anderson, AICP
Planner
CR99-23
Page 2
. Primary Issues to Consider,
. What is the zoning of the property, and how has the Comprehensive Plan
designated the subject site?
The site is zoned R-I-E, Low Density Single Family, The Comprehensive Plan has
designated the site as Low Density Residential,
. What does the ordinance require?
The Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum height of 15 feet to the highest point for an
accessory building, The height is measured from the public right-of-way, A garage is
considered an accessory building,
. What are the specifics of the variance?
The applicant is proposing a Cape Cod type garage that will be higher than 15 feet. The
garage will be 24' x 30' and approximately 20 feet in height. The garage will be six feet
from the side property line, The rear property line was not detailed, but it is more than the
minimum three-foot setback. The garage meets all the ordinance requirements except for the
height.
. . Does the property have a hardship?
The Zoning Ordinance states the following: a variance is a modification or variation from the
provisions of this code or variation from its provisions granted by the board and applying to a
specific parcel of property because of undue hardship due to circumstances peculiar and
unique to such parcel, The Zoning Ordinance also states the following: that the Commission
must find that the literal enforcement of the provision of the Zoning Ordinance would cause
an undue hardship because of circumstances unique to the individual property under
consideration, and that the granting of a variance to the extent necessary to compensate for
said hardship is in keeping with the intent of this code,
In this case the subject property has no undue hardship. There is nothing unique to the
applicant's property, The subject property has no undue hardship for the granting of the
varIance, The stafT feels that this situation does not constitute a hardship to the property
according to the above zoning requirements and, therefore, would not qualify for the granting
of a variance.
0 Does the applicant have reasonable use of the property without the variance?
The applicant has reasonable use of the property without the addition of an accessory
bui lding. If the applicant is not granted the variance, the applicant has reasonable use of the
property if the garage were lowered to 15 feet in height.
.
CR99-23
Page 3
. What was the discussion at the Zoning and Planning meeting?
. Ms. Anderson reviewed the variance with the Commission, Ms, Anderson noted that if the
Commission approved the proposed zoning amendments, the applicant would probably not
need a variance, The Commission discussed the lack of hardship for the granting of the
vanance,
Altematives,
1. Approve the variance, By approving the variance, the applicant will be able to construct
the garage as proposed, If the Planning Commission considers this alternative, findings
will have to be identified that support this alternative,
2, Deny the variance. By denying the variance, the applicant will not be able to construct
the garage as proposed,
3, Continue for further information, If the City Council indicates that further information is
needed, the item should be continued,
.
e
-
- - -
~ -
2.Jo'
/
! ...
/'0.
~
~
~
, i
/
'F"
~
---
----
.
0 L
5qL(.lNj l --
111=-4011 HWUIQ~""'''&==
.
I
I
f.LA~ ,lq~Ld'
I
. ....._~
1nu;$~~;'1I _~L___
. I' ~~th
-------.... ..._~,~ ,_. __m
. - ---
---
r- ----------= =
J
~JJI
I--~ I. ,-
r, -
, I
tu-Y~1]d , llyll:: I LOll
r
-I
Q51~ HVlrofii ~yrl
--
T ''{'7.
, I J , !