HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Adjustments and Appeals - 06/26/1980 'APPROVED
MINUTES
• EDEN PRAIRIE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS AND ADJUSTMENTS
THURSDAY, June 26, 1980 7:30 P.M. , City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: James Wedlund, James Dickey,
Ronald Krueger, Richard Lynch,
and Roger Sandvick
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Carl Jullie, P.E. Director of Public
Works and Sharon Gagnon, Recording
Secretary
CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
1 . Election of Officers.
Sandvick placed the name of Wedlund into nomination as chairman.
MOTION: Sandvick moved, seconded by Lynch, that nominations be closed
and a unanimous ballot be cast for Wedlund as Chairman of the Board of
Appeals and Adjustments. Motion carried unanimously.
Sandvick placed the name of Krueger into nomination as vice-chairman.
MOTION: Sandvick moved, seconded by Dickey, that nominations be closed
and a unanimous ballot be cast for Krueger as Vice-Chairman of the Board
of Appeals and Adjustments. Motion carried unanimously.
Sandvick placed the name of Dickey into nomination as secretary.
MOTION: Sandvick moved, seconded by Krueger, that nominations be closed and
a unanimous ballot be cast for Dickey as Secretary of the Board of Appeals
and Adjustments. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Minutes of March 20, 1980 re uh.ar meeting.
MOTION: Sandvick moved, seconded by Dickey, to approve the minutes of
March 20, 1980 regular meeting. Motion carried with Wedlund abstaining.
3. Minutes of May 22, 1980 regular meeting.
MOTION: Sandvick moved, seconded by Dickey, to approve the minutes of
May 22, 1980 regular meeting. Motion carried with Lynch abstaining.
4. Variance Request 80-12 submitted by the City of Eden Prairie to construct
a self supporting radio tower of 80' rather than the allowable 55' .
Keith Wall explained the need for the tower was due to the unusual terrain
of the southern end of Eden Prairie by the Bluffs area. This system would
be used by all City departments including the fire and police. Other antennas
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• would be located on the roof of Char Lynn and the City water tower on
Baker Road. This particular system would be the first in the State of
Minnesota.
Wedlund questioned where the radio tower would be located.
Wall replied that it would be in the back of City Hall .
Lynch questioned if this would cause any interference with T.V. 's etc.
Police Chief Hacking answered negative and noted also that it would be
far enough from Flying Cloud Airport that they were not requiring a light
on the tower.
Lynch questioned the recording secretary if there was any opposition to the
tower and any problems from the meeting being postponed a week.
Sharon Gagnon, recording secretary, said she had received only one phone call
requesting the time and place for the meeting. The City Manager noted that
since the meeting was postponed due to a lack of quorum it was not necessary
to republish the notice. A sign was placed on the door to City Hall noting
the change of date.
Wall explained that in an emergency situation the City needs team work which
becomes utter chaos without proper radio contact. Hennepin County requested
the City to get off their system and get a modern up to date system of their
• own.
Krueger asked if we would still be using the Hennepin County dispatcher.
Wall replied that we would still need the administrative functions of Henn.
Cty but we would pull off that system and coordinate our own efforts.
Chief Hacking noted that the bids have been let by the City Council and
General Electric was contracted.
Wedlund questioned why the airport did not request a light on the tower:.
Wall said he had flying experience and it was not possible to be flying 100'
off the deck unless the plane was in trouble.
Chief Hacking said they had contacted both the Federal Aviation Agency and
FCC. Hacking pointed out that there are towers presently located
in Eden Prairie over the legal limits, including the tower used by the Eden
Prairie buses.
MOTION: Sandvick moved, seconded by Dickey, to accept the variance request
since the request is reasonable and will enhance the entire community of
Eden Prairie in time' of emergency and provide service to the people in the
black out area.
DISCUSSION: Dickey added that this would make the police department more
. self sufficient which is good for all the people in the community.
Sandvick added that it appears that this project was well researched. He
asked Chief Hacking and Wall to submit the reports from the FCC and FAA.
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•
The motion and amendments carried unanimously.
5. Variance Request 80-13 submitted by Ray Cronin to allow an addition to his
home at 16000 Hilltop 4' from the property line.
Sandvick questioned if there were any easements along the property line.
Jullie said there wasn't any gas or sewer and water in this area.
Sandvick asked if Cronin had personally contacted the immediate neighbors and
showed them his plans, particularly Kenneth Grover.
Cronin replied that he had and there were no objections.
Wedlund questioned Cronin if he had explored any other plans.
Cronin explained that the house is located at an angle on the lot. If he went
out the North side he would be even closer to the lot line.
Lynch asked if this home was a walk out.
Cronin replied yes.
Wedlund questioned the setback requirements.
• Jullie replied the requirement in this area would be 15' from the property
line. The addition would be 16` and the measurement for the remaining
setback is measured perpendicular to the property line resulting in only 4' .
Dickey noted the steep drop between the neighbor to the west. He felt this
area was sandy and was concerned about a drainage problem which should be the
responsibily of Cronin to build a retaining wall .
Cronin said the area was all sand except the top 4w .
Wedlund said he had trouble accepting the idea of a house that close to the
lot line and the fact that if the Board approved this request, they would
have to do the same if his neighbor requested it. He felt there are many
clever ideas using angled walls etc. which may -make this possible. He suggested
that Cronin build parallel to the-side yard-l-ot-Tine.
Sandvick suggested contacting a draftsman or architect to develop different ideas.
Cronin replied that he had discussed going out the front of his house with the
builder but there would be too much rearranging to make it feasible.
Jullie noted the side yard setback requirements for this area is 15' . He
suggested going out to the rear of the house or putting a flat roof over the
garage and utilizing.this area.
• Cronin replied this would interfere with his deck and the steps.
Dickey noted the cost of moving a deck versus building a retaining wall .
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Krueger said consideration should be given to the roof lines of the
original home and the addition.
Jullie suggested to continue this request to allow Cronin time to submit
alternative plans.
Sandvick explained to Cronin that if the Board denied his request he would
have to wait a year before applying again but if they continued the meeting
he could have time to come with some other ideas.
Lynch felt this was a severe request and could be uncomfortable in the future.
MOTION: Sandvick moved, seconded by Wedlund, to continue variance request
80-13 submitted by Cronin .tn the July 17 meeting to allow him to make changes
in his plans.,
DISCUSSION: Wedlund requested that Cronin show on his survey the actual
diminsions of the side yard setbacks. The corner of the home to the
lot line if 15' .
Lynch felt it would lessen the impact of the variance by going to the
rear or to the front. He pointed out that a normal variance is usually
between 25-30% of the area and this request represents 93%.
Sandvick requested that Cronin provide the Board with a signed statement
from adjoining neighbors indicating their approval of his changed plans.
• The motion and amendments passed unanimously.
6. Other Business.
None.
7. Adjournment.
Sandvick moved, seconded by Krueger, to adjourn at 8:45. Motion carried
unanimously.