Residential Variances

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

This page is intended to collect public input on Residential Variances that are to be heard by the Planning Commission. Comments submitted will provide feedback to the Planning Commission to be considered. Each page includes the information that was submitted by the applicant. The feedback provided for each project will be given to the Planning Commission for their consideration.

The page is open for feedback up until the noon on the Tuesday prior to the Planning Commission public hearing.


This page is intended to collect public input on Residential Variances that are to be heard by the Planning Commission. Comments submitted will provide feedback to the Planning Commission to be considered. Each page includes the information that was submitted by the applicant. The feedback provided for each project will be given to the Planning Commission for their consideration.

The page is open for feedback up until the noon on the Tuesday prior to the Planning Commission public hearing.


Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

B-20-6 513 John Street

almost 4 years

513 John Street is a three story home built in 1934 with an attached one car garage. The current home does not meet the setbacks required in today’s code from the front yard and west side yard. The existing setback on the north front yard property line is 5 feet instead of today’s required setback of 30 feet. The existing west side yard setback is 10 feet with the subject home located 5 feet to the west lot line. The proposed new home will maintain the existing non-conforming setback from both the north and west lot lines of the property. The home is also considered a three story given that the basement has more than 50% of the exterior wall area exposed. The maximum number of stories allowed is 2 ½. 

The request us for a 5 foot side and 25 foot front yard setback variance and a variance from the definition of a basement counted as a “story” for additions to an existing nonconforming home for property at 513 John Street. The existing home will be modified and added to while maintaining the existing nonconforming setbacks. The proposal includes an addition off the back of the home to the basement, main and second floor, widening the garage on the main level and adding an addition above the garage. It is anticipated that the project will be done in phases with the entire project presented to the Planning Commission for over-all consideration. The proposed additions will match the existing setbacks of the nonconforming home. The remainder of the project conforms to all of the zoning ordinance requirements. The desire is to add onto the home on the existing nonconforming footprint with the exception of additions to the back of the home.

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker. 

To Leave Feedback:

  • Click on the plus sign on the left side of the map
  • Drag/drop the pin where you live
  • Enter your comment
CLOSED: This item is on the April 15th Planning Commission agenda.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

B-20-7 5908 Chowen Avenue

almost 4 years

Neil Theisen, on behalf of the property owner of 5908 Chowen Avenue is proposing a 2.8 foot side yard setback variance to the south property line for a garage addition. 

The subject property, 5908 Chowen Avenue, is approximately .2 acres (8,920 square feet) and is located on the east side of Chowen Avenue S, between 58th Street W and 60th Street W.

The existing home on the lot is a single story single family home built in 1953. In addition to the garage expansion, the project also includes a new second story addition. 

With the exception of the south side yard setback, the proposed garage addition and second floor addition meet all other zoning requirements.


Applicant Submittal

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant City Planner, Emily Bodeker. 

To Leave Feedback:

  • Click on the plus sign on the left side of the map
  • Drag/drop the pin where you live
  • Enter your comment




CLOSED: This item is on the April 15th Planning Commission agenda.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

B-20-9 4504 West 70th Street

almost 4 years

The request is a 19.2 foot front yard setback variance for a teardown-rebuild/new home to be built at the same nonconforming front yard setback as the existing home at 4504 70th Street West. The property will comply with all other codes. The property is approximately 11,790 square feet in area and is located north of West 70th Street. The existing home will be torn down and replaced with a two-story home that will conform to all zoning ordinance requirements with the exception of front yard setback. The proposal is to maintain the existing nonconforming front yard setback of 39.7 feet. The homes on either side are corner lots with the home to the east facing east Wooddale. The home to the west fronts both 70th Street and Creston Rd, while addressing along west 70th St. 

The ordinance requires the new home match the front yard setback of the neighbor to the west at 4512 70th St. The applicant is requesting a 19.1 foot south front yard setback variance for a new two story home to maintain the 39.7 foot existing non-conforming front yard setback to the south property line. The required south front yard setback is 58.9 feet as established by the front yard setback of the adjacent neighbor to the west. The ordinance requires the subject home match the neighboring front yard setback. The desire is to rebuild the home in the same existing nonconforming location and providing the same distance to the street that has been in place without a variance since the original home was constructed.

Applicant Submittal

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker. 

To Leave Feedback:

  • Click on the plus sign on the left side of the map
  • Drag/drop the pin where you live
  • Enter your comment


CLOSED: This item is on the April 15th Planning Commission agenda.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

B-20-4: 4805 Sunnyslope Rd W

almost 4 years


The variance request is for a 5.1 foot first floor height variance from the allowable 1 foot increase to elevate the basement floor a minimum of 2 feet above the FEMA flood plain elevation for a new home build that will comply with all other zoning ordinance requirements. The applicants have stated in their application that they are requesting a variance in order to achieve a full height basement with the construction of their new home.



The applicants state the height difference in total from the existing first floor elevation to the proposed first floor elevation would be 6.1' higher. Since the lot is under a mix of flood risk from local and regional flooding, code requires the lowest opening elevation to be no lower than 890.9. 


Applicant Submittal


The Planning Commission is collecting your feedback. If you do have questions, either contact staff directly or ask your questions by dropping a pin on the map. Staff will respond to questions by dropping a yellow pin on the map with a response. Keep checking the page for staff's response to your questions.

The public hearing for this item is on the February 12th Planning Commission agenda at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 4801 West 50th St.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

B-20-5: 4209 Crocker Avenue

almost 4 years
Notice: City staff requested the applicant verify the front yard setback. Originally 16.2 feet was submitted, but has changed to a 18.2 foot front yard setback variance to match the front yard setback of the existing home based on average setback of the block by a surveyor.


The proposed project is a teardown-rebuild at 4209 Crocker Ave. consisting of a two story home with an attached three car garage. The variance request is for a 2.6 foot first floor height variance from the allowable 1 foot increase and a 18.2 foot front yard setback variance. 

The property is within a flood risk area with the rear yard of the site landlocked for the 10% annual chance event. The basement will be elevated to 871.58’ from 870.4’ to comply with the minimum required low floor elevation. The required lowest floor elevation is 871.58’ (10% annual chance event elevation of 869.58’ + 2’).  The existing basement is a walk-out with the new basement proposed to be a “look-out” and partially below grade. The lot is under a flood risk, so code requires the lowest entry elevation of the rear portion of the structure to be no lower than 873’. The owners are not planning to elevate the basement to achieve/continue a walk-out.

The height difference from existing to proposed first floor elevation will be 3.6 feet with a variance request of 2.6 feet. The required lowest entry elevation for the front portion of the structure is 877.20’ (1% annual chance event elevation of 875.20’ + 2’). The garage elevation will be at 877.2’ with a new first floor height of 881.27’. 

The over-all building height will be 32.6 feet as measured from existing grade along the new front building wall and in compliance with the maximum allowable height of 36.25 feet. The proposed front yard setback will match the existing front yard setback of the current home. The new home is proposed to provide the same front yard setback as the existing home which keeps the home closer to the front continuing to maintain the net stormwater storage in the back yard.


Applicant Submittal

Site and Grading Plan

Surveyor Verification of Average Front Yard Setback

CLOSED: This item will be heard by the Planning Commission Wednesday, March 11th at 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, 4801 W 50th Street.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

B-20-3: 7318 Claredon Drive

about 4 years

Garret Grev, the property owner of 7318 Claredon Drive is proposing a 1.3 foot variance to the north property line to allow for a 306 square foot 1 car garage stall addition to the existing 2 car garage. The home currently has a 2 car garage. The applicant is undergoing the addition to have garage added in order to accommodate larger vehicles, bikes, recreation items and provide additional storage space. Today, the home complies with all required setbacks but the home is oriented at an angle to the side property lines. An addition to the north side of the home is closer at the back corner than the front corner. The proposed addition conforms to the 10 foot side yard setback at the northwest, (front), corner, however is closer at the back corner, (8.7 feet away). The request is to allow the addition to be slightly closer to the lot line at the back corner.

Applicant Submittal

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker. 

To Leave Feedback:

  • Click on the plus sign on the left side of the map
  • Drag/drop the pin where you live
  • Enter your comment

The public hearing for this item is on the January 29th Planning Commission agenda at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 4801 West 50th Street.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

B-20-2: 4630 Edgebrook Place

about 4 years

Mark Larson, the applicant on behalf of the property owners Chad & Jessica Kelly have submitted a  request for a 3.4 foot side yard setback variance. The applicant is proposing a 3-story addition off of the rear of the home in line with the existing non-conforming side yard setback. The applicant has indicated that the intent of the proposed addition is to add the space needed to relocate the kitchen and dining area. The lower and upper levels benefit from the additional space, allowing a functional gym and rec area as well as adding more function to the upper level. 

The front facade of this home will not be altered and the proposed addition is not visible from the street facing facade. 

Applicant Submittal 

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant City Planner, Emily Bodeker. 

To Leave Feedback:

  • Click on the plus sign on the left side of the map
  • Drag/drop the pin where you live
  • Enter your comment

The public hearing for this item is on the January 29th Planning Commission agenda at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 4801 West 50th Street.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

B-20-1: 6000 Beard Avenue South

almost 4 years

Nate Olson/Genesis 6 Construction, the applicant on behalf of property owners David and Jenna George of 6000 Beard Ave. have submitted a request for a .8’, (9 ½”), front yard setback variance and a 2.1’ north side street setback variance to re-build a home on the existing foundation with nonconforming setbacks. Rebuilding on the existing nonconforming foundation requires variances from the existing nonconforming front and north street setbacks. The request is to match the setbacks currently existing with a 2nd floor addition to a nonconforming rambler. The plan conforms to all additional setback, height and coverage requirements.

Applicant Submittal 

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant City Planner, Kris Aaker. 

To Leave Feedback:

  • Click on the plus sign on the left side of the map
  • Drag/drop the pin where you live
  • Enter your comment

The public hearing for this item is on the January 29th Planning Commission agenda at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 4801 West 50th Street.