840 Carver Beach Rd Variance 25-06Planning Case #2025-06
840 Carver Beach Road
Planning Commission –April 15, 2025
Applicant: Bryan Anderson
Requesting a variance from Section 20-615Setbacks in
the RSF Zoning District.
Pyramid of Discretion
Variances
•The city’s discretion in approving or denying
a Variance is limited to whether or not the
proposed project meets the standards in
the Zoning Ordinance for a variance.
•The city has a relatively high level of
discretion with variance requests because
the applicant is seeking a deviation from
established standards.
•This is a quasi-judicial decision.
Zoning:
•Residential Single-Family
(RSF)
Land Use:
•Low Density Residential
Lot Size:
•0.53 acres
Location: 840 Carver Beach Road
Proposal
Conformance
RSF Existing Proposed
Lot Area 15,000 s.f.23,260 s.f.23,260 s.f.
Hardcover 25% (shoreland
restriction)17.5%18.4%
Lot Width 90 ft 199.9 ft 199.9 ft
Lot Depth 125 ft 201.2 ft 201.2 ft
Front
Setback 30 ft 22.7 ft 22.7 ft
Front Setback
(east)30 ft 30.01 ft 30.01 ft
Side Setback
(west)10 ft 20.5 ft 20.5 ft
Rear Setback 30 ft 95 ft 95 ft
Justification
•The Subject Property was established with a plat in 1927.
•Property predates the current RSF zoning district.
•The existing front yard setback has lawful nonconforming status.
•The Applicant is requesting an addition located at an existing
nonconforming setback and is not requesting to further
encroach into the front yard setback.
•The proposed addition when added to the existing
impervious area does not exceed the property’s maximum
impervious percentage.
A variance may be granted if all of the following criteria are met:
a)Variance is in harmony with the general purposes of the zoning ordinance and
consistent with the comprehensive plan.
b)"Practical difficulties," in complying with the ordinance means that the property owner
proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by this chapter.
c)Variance is not based upon economic considerations alone.
d)Plight is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner.
e)The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality.
f)Variances shall be granted for earth-sheltered construction as defined in M.S. §
216C.06, subd. 14, when in harmony with this chapter.
Staff Summary & Assessment
Staff believes that the requested variance to the front yard setback variance for a home
addition meets the above criteria which recommends that it be approved subject to the
conditions listed in the staff report.
Applicant
Question & Answer
Planning Commission
Discussion
Public Hearing
Planning Commission
Discussion
“The Chanhassen Board of Appeals and Adjustments
approves the requested front yard setback variance for
the expansion of a home at 840 Carver Beach Road
subject to the conditions of approval and adopts the
attached Findings of Facts and Decision.”
Proposed Motion