Signed updated Denial- FOF CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
FINDINGS OF FACT
AND DECISION
IN RE:
Application of property owner Clint Bitting for a hardcover variance of 27.4% on a property
within the shoreland management district– Planning Case 2025-18.
On December 2nd, the Chanhassen Planning Commission, acting as the Board of Appeals and
Adjustments, met at its regularly scheduled meeting to consider the application. The Planning
Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed variance preceded by published and
mailed notice. The Board of Appeals and Adjustments makes the following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The property is currently zoned Planned Unit Development Residential (PUDR).
2. The property is guided in the Chanhassen Comprehensive Plan for Residential Medium
Density.
3. The property legal description as described in Exhibit A.
4. Variance Findings – Section 20-58 of the City Code provides the following criteria for the
granting of a variance:
a. Variances shall only be permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes
and intent of this Chapter and when the variances are consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan.
Finding: The requested variance is not in harmony with the general purposes and the
intent of the Shoreland Management District chapter and is not found to be consistent
with both the shoreland management district and the comprehensive plan’s intent to
protect and enhance natural resources.
b. When there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance. "Practical
difficulties" as used in connection with the granting of a variance, means that the property
owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by this Chapter.
Practical difficulties include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to direct sunlight
for solar energy systems.
Finding: The requested variance lacks practical difficulty in complying with the zoning
ordinances, as there are no physical characteristics of the property that pose a practical
Docusign Envelope ID: AB13D814-AF3F-4C18-A2EC-772B0B90BA4B
difficulty such as lot configuration or shape, natural areas, or steep slopes that would
prevent the property owner from using the property in a reasonable manner permitted by
the zoning ordinance.
c. That the purpose of the variation is not based upon economic considerations alone.
Finding: Economic considerations alone do not provide a practical difficulty in
justification for the requested variance.
d. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by
the landowner.
Finding: The landowner desires to increase the size of the home, garage, and driveway
on the subject property. The plight of the landowner is not due to unique circumstances
to the property that would justify a variance.
e. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality.
Finding: The variance, if granted, would not alter the essential character of the locality
as some adjacent properties exceed the maximum impervious coverage limitation.
f. Variances shall be granted for earth-sheltered construction as defined in Minnesota
Statutes Section 216C.06, subdivision 14, when in harmony with this Chapter.
Finding: The proposed is not an earth-sheltered construction and therefore not
applicable.
5. The planning report #2025-18 dated November 26, 2025, prepared by Rachel
Arsenault is incorporated herein.
DECISION
The Planning Commission denies the requested hardcover variance within the shoreland
management district.
ADOPTED by the Chanhassen Planning Commission this 2nd day of December 2025.
CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
BY:
Its Chairman
Docusign Envelope ID: AB13D814-AF3F-4C18-A2EC-772B0B90BA4B
Exhibit A
Lot 3, Block 5, Camden Ridge, Carver County, Minnesota.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB13D814-AF3F-4C18-A2EC-772B0B90BA4B