HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-10 CC Meeting Minutes Excerpt Page 7 - City Cour, _1 Minutes 06/10/97
Variance from Front Yard Setback - Construction of Garage - 14387
Upper 56th Street - James Vidana - Mayor Schaaf opened the public
hearing at 8:44 p.m. Jim Vidana stated that he was told in 1991
by former Oak Park Heights Building Inspector Mick Kaehler that
he would be able to build a garage on his lot after he
transformed his other garage into a family room. When he
recently applied for a permit to build a garage, he was told
there was not enough room to build a garage because the front of
the house is only 30 feet from the edge of the road right -of -way.
Vidana indicated he was seeking a variance of 20 feet from the
30 foot setback requirement on the hardship that not having a
garage will be a deterrent if he ever decides to sell his home
and that he was told previously that he would be allowed to
construct a garage.
Councilmember Beaudet asked why the original garage was allowed
to be converted into a family room. City Planner Richards stated
that the ordinance only provides that there be enough room for
the construction of a 2 car garage, not that there actually be
one. Richards noted that there is room in the back of the house
for construction of a garage, but that there is not room on the
site for a driveway to reach the garage.
Councilmember Robert expressed her concerns about setting a
precedent by ignoring the setback requirements. She said that
the Council may as well just revoke the 30 foot setback
requirement if they approve the variance because many Oak Park
Heights residents have converted their garages into other rooms
and they would all be coming to the Council requesting variances
to build garages.
Hearing no further comment, Councilmember Turnquist, seconded by
Robert, moved to close the public hearing at 9:00 p.m. Carried
5 -0.
Councilmember Swanson, seconded by Turnquist, moved to approve
the variance. Motion was denied 3 -2 with Beaudet, Robert, &
Schaaf voting against the motion. Variance not approved.
Unfinished Business:
Annexation Petition Update - Mayor Schaaf reported on the
meeting with Baytown Township and residents on June 3rd. Schaaf
stated that he thought Baytown would get many financial benefits
from an orderly annexation agreement with Oak Park Heights.
City Attorney Vierling said that if the annexation is contested,
which it looks like it would be based on the petitions objecting
to the annexation, it would take 9 months to 1 year for a ruling
to be made regarding the issue.