Res 2019- 29 Approve Variance 1751 James RdCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2019-29
RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE
FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1751 JAMES ROAD
(PLANNING CASE NO. 2019-05)
WHEREAS, Nick and Liz Banovetz (the "Applicant") applied for a variance for the
property located at 1751 James Road (the "Subject Property"), and legally described on attached
Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Subject Property is guided LR -Low Density Residential in the 2030
Comprehensive Plan and is located in the R-1 One Family Residential District; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant is seeking a variance to encroach 2.13 feet into the 10 -ft. side -
yard setback under the R-1 District standards for a new home addition, as proposed under Planning
Case No. 2019-05; and
WHEREAS, Title 12-1L-5 of the City Code (Variances) allows for the Council to grant
variances or certain modifications from the strict application of the provisions of the City Code,
and impose conditions and safeguards with variances if so needed or granted: and
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2019, the Mendota Heights Planning Commission held a public
hearing on this matter, and whereupon closing the hearing and follow-up discussion on this item
with staff and the Applicant, the Planning Commission recommended unanimously (7-0 vote) to
deny the application for Variance, with certain findings of fact to support such denial.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mendota Heights City Council that the
recommendation from the Planning Commission is hereby reversed, and the Variance application
proposed under Planning Case No. 2019-05 is hereby approved, with the following findings of
fact:
A. Under Title 12 -1L -5A of the City Code, the Council may only grant variances from the
strict application of the provisions of the Code in cases where there are "practical
difficulties" in carrying out the strict letter of the regulations of the Code. "Practical
difficulties" consists of a three-part test: (i) the Applicant proposes to use the property
in a reasonable manner not otherwise permitted by the Code; (ii) the plight of the
Applicant is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the Applicant;
and (iii) the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the
neighborhood. Economic considerations alone do not constitute "practical
difficulties."
B. The Applicant has met the burden of demonstrating the requisite "practical difficulties"
in order to justify the granting of the Variance for reduced setbacks, by:
i.) the proposed matching and small-scale addition to the existing home is a reasonable
use of the property;
ii.) the subject property was developed with the home off -centered on the lot, thereby
creating a unique situation for adding on to the home on the east side of the house
by the Owners;
iii.)approving the Variance does not change the essential character of the
neighborhood, as this residential area will not be affected by the approval of the
Variance; and
iv.) the reason for the Variance request is to allow a suitable and reasonable addition to
the side yard space of the property, and keeps the rear yard space intact, and for this
reason the request is not solely based on economic considerations.
C. The City has considered the factors required by Title 12 -1L -5E1 of the City Code,
including but not limited to the effect of the Variance upon the health, safety, and
welfare of the community, existing and anticipated traffic conditions, the effect of the
Variance on the danger of fire and the risk to public safety, and upon the value of
properties in the surrounding area, and upon the Comprehensive Plan, and has
determined this Variance will not affect or pose any negative impacts upon the
neighborhood or the community in general.
D. Approval of the Variance is for 1751 James Road only, and does not apply or give
precedential value to any other properties throughout the City. All variance applicants
must apply for and provide a project narrative to the City to justify a variance. All
variance requests must be reviewed independently by City staff and legal counsel under
the requirements of the City Code.
E. The factual findings and analysis found in the Planning Staff Report for Planning Case
No. 2019-05, dated and presented March 26, 2019 (and on file with the City of Mendota
Heights), is hereby fully incorporated into this Resolution.
F. The City has the authority to place reasonable conditions upon the property subject to
his Variance request. Conditions must be directly related to and roughly proportional
to the impact created by the variance. Conditions related to this transaction are as
follows:
Res 2019-29 _ _ Page 2
i.) The proposed encroachment for the addition shall not extend further than 2.13 -feet
into the required 10 -foot side -yard setback, as illustrated on the survey and site plan
included in the application submittal (on file with the City Planning Dept. Planning
Case File No. 2019-05).
ii.) The new addition, including the roofline, will match the overall architecture and
design of the existing residential dwelling.
iii.)Full erosion and sedimentation measures will be put in place prior to and during
grading and construction work activities.
iv.) All grading and construction activity will be in compliance with applicable federal,
state, and local regulations and codes, as well as in compliance with the City's Land
Disturbance Guidance Document.
v.) Within one year of approval by the City Council, the Applicant shall obtain a
building permit for construction of the proposed addition.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Mendota Heights City Council that the Variance
application for the property located at 1751 James Road, as proposed under Planning Case No.
2019-05, is hereby approved.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 7th day of May, 2019.
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
Neil Garlock, Mayor
ATTEST:
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
Drafted by: City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
Res 2019-29 Page 3
EXHIBIT -A
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1751 James Road
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55118
PID No. 27-76402-02-120
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
Lot Twelve (12) excepting that part westerly of the line running from a point twenty (20) feet east
on the south property line from the southwest corner of said lot extended to the northwest corner
of said lot; and the westerly forty (40) feet of Lot Eleven (11), Block Two (2), Tilsen's Highland
Heights Plat 3 according to the plat there on file and of record in the office of the Registrar of
Titles within Dakota County, Minnesota.
Certificate of Title No, 165079
Res 2019-29 Page 4
Receipt:# 603758 805233
RES $46.00 111111111111111111111111111
Return to:
SIMPLIFILE
5072 NORTH 300 w Recorded on: 5/9/2019 2:09 PM
By: CAC, Deputy
PROVO UT 84604 Cert # 165079
Office of the Registrar of Titles
Dakota County, Minnesota
Amy A. Koethe, Registrar of Titles
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2019-29
RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE
FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1751 JAMES ROAD
(PLANNING CASE NO. 2019-05)
WHEREAS, Nick and Liz Banovetz (the "Applicant") applied for a variance for the
property located at 1751 James Road (the "Subject Property"), and legally described on attached
Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Subject Property is guided LR -Low Density Residential in the 2030
Comprehensive Plan and is located in the R-1 One Family Residential District; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant is seeking a variance to encroach 2.13 feet into the 10 -ft. side -
yard setback under the R-1 District standards for a new home addition, as proposed under Planning
Case No. 2019-05; and
WHEREAS, Title 12-1L-5 of the City Code (Variances) allows for the Council to grant
variances or certain modifications from the strict application of the provisions of the City Code,
and impose conditions and safeguards with variances if so needed or granted: and
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2019, the Mendota Heights Planning Commission held a public
hearing on this matter, and whereupon closing the hearing and follow-up discussion on this item
with staff and the Applicant, the Planning Commission recommended unanimously (7-0 vote) to
deny the application for Variance, with certain findings of fact to support such denial.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mendota Heights City Council that the
recommendation from the Planning Commission is hereby reversed, and the Variance application
proposed under Planning Case No. 2019-05 is hereby approved, with the following findings of
fact:
A. Under Title 12 -IL -5A of the City Code, the Council may only grant variances from the
strict application of the provisions of the Code in cases where there are "practical
difficulties" in carrying out the strict letter of the regulations of the Code. "Practical
difficulties" consists of a three-part test: (i) the Applicant proposes to use the property
in a reasonable manner not otherwise permitted by the Code; (ii) the plight of the
Applicant is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the Applicant;
and (iii) the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the
neighborhood. Economic considerations alone do not constitute "practical
difficulties."
B. The Applicant has met the burden of demonstrating the requisite "practical difficulties"
in order to justify the granting of the Variance for reduced setbacks, by:
i.) the proposed matching and small-scale addition to the existing home is a reasonable
use of the property;
ii.) the subject property was developed with the home off -centered on the lot, thereby
creating a unique situation for adding on to the home on the east side of the house
by the Owners;
iii.) approving the Variance does not change the essential character of the
neighborhood, as this residential area will not be affected by the approval of the
Variance; and
iv.) the reason for the Variance request is to allow a suitable and reasonable addition to
the side yard space of the property, and keeps the rear yard space intact, and for this
reason the request is not solely based on economic considerations.
C. The City has considered the factors required by Title 12 -1L -5E1 of the City Code,
including but not limited to the effect of the Variance upon the health, safety, and
welfare of the community, existing and anticipated traffic conditions, the effect of the
Variance on the danger of fire and the risk to public safety, and upon the value of
properties in the surrounding area, and upon the Comprehensive Plan, and has
determined this Variance will not affect or pose any negative impacts upon the
neighborhood or the community in general.
D. Approval of the Variance is for 1751 James Road only, and does not apply or give
precedential value to any other properties throughout the City. All variance applicants
must apply for and provide a project narrative to the City to justify a variance. All
variance requests must be reviewed independently by City staff and legal counsel under
the requirements of the City Code.
E. The factual findings and analysis found in the Planning Staff Report for Planning Case
No. 2019-05, dated and presented March 26, 2019 (and on file with the City of Mendota
Heights), is hereby fully incorporated into this Resolution.
F. The City has the authority to place reasonable conditions upon the property subject to
his Variance request. Conditions must be directly related to and roughly proportional
to the impact created by the variance. Conditions related to this transaction are as
follows:
Res 2019-29 Page 2
i.) The proposed encroachment for the addition shall not extend further than 2.13 -feet
into the required 10 -foot side -yard setback, as illustrated on the survey and site plan
included in the application submittal (on file with the City Planning Dept. Planning
Case File No. 2019-05).
ii.) The new addition, including the roofline, will match the overall architecture and
design of the existing residential dwelling.
iii.)Full erosion and sedimentation measures will be put in place prior to and during
grading and construction work activities.
iv.) All grading and construction activity will be in compliance with applicable federal,
state, and local regulations and codes, as well as in compliance with the City's Land
Disturbance Guidance Document.
v.) Within one year of approval by the City Council, the Applicant shall obtain a
building permit for construction of the proposed addition.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Mendota Heights City Council that the Variance
application for the property located at 1751 James Road, as proposed under Planning Case No.
2019-05, is hereby approved.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 7th day of May, 2019.
ATTEST:
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
Neil Garlock, Mayor
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
Drafted by: City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoria Curve
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
Res 2019-29 _ Page 3
EXHIBIT -A
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1751 James Road
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55118
PID No. 27-76402-02-120
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
Lot Twelve (12) excepting that part westerly of the line running from a point twenty (20) feet east
on the south property line from the southwest corner of said lot extended to the northwest corner
of said lot; and the westerly forty (40) feet of Lot Eleven (11), Block Two (2), Tilsen's Highland
Heights Plat 3 according to the plat there on file and of record in the office of the Registrar of
Titles within Dakota County, Minnesota.
Certificate of Title No, 165079
Res 2019-29 Page 4
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
COUNTY OF DAKOTA ) S.S.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS )
I, Lorri Smith, being the duly appointed City Clerk of the City of Mendota Heights, do
hereby certify that the attached Resolution is an exact copy of the resolution on file in
my office adopted by the Mendota Heights City Council.
Signed and sealed by my hand on this 9th day of May, 2019.