7030 Lucy Ridge Variance 25-05Planning Case #2025-05
7030 Lucy Ridge Lane
Planning Commission –April 15, 2025
Applicant: Xpand Inc.
Requesting a variance from PUD Ordinance Number 640
Lot Requirements and Setbacks in The Park PUD.
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 Planned Unit
Development (PUDR)
Land Use:
•Low Density Residential
Lot Size:
•0.37 acres
Location: 7030 Lucy Ridge Lane
Plat - Site Plan
7030 Lucy Ridge Lane Setbacks
North Property Line
- front corner – 20’
East Property Line
- Front yard – 25’
South Property Line
- Side yard – 10’
West Property Line
- Rear yard – 25’
PUD Setback Establishment
City Code Section 1-2
Lot line, front means the lot line separating a lot from a roadway right-of-
way. In the case of a corner lot it shall be the lot line with the shortest
dimensions on the street. (20)
Examples
= Front = Corner = Side = Rear
Examples
= Front = Corner = Side = Rear
Proposed Building Addition
Conformance
PUDR Existing Proposed
Lot Area 15,000 s.f. or
greater 16,257 s.f.16,257 s.f.
Hardcover 5,500 s.f 4,193 s.f 4,767 s.f.
Lot Width 90 ft 50 ft 50 ft
Lot Depth 125 ft 179 ft 179 ft
Front Setback (east)20 ft or 25 ft with
sidewalk 25.3 ft 25.3 ft
Corner Setback
(north)20 ft 22 ft 22 ft
Rear Setback
(west)25 ft 41.4 ft 22.1 ft
Side Setback (south)7.5 ft 18.3 ft 18.3 ft
Applicant Justification
•Homeowners would like an indoor activity space for
their children.
•The west side of the house has been deemed the
best location for the addition.
•An addition on the rear would look less cohesive
and would eliminate desirable aspects such as
windows and a walkout basement.
•The custom home was reworked from the original
plans, so the front of the home no longer faces
Lucy Ridge Lane.
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 Recommends denial of the requested variance based on the following:
The requested variance does not adhere to the criteria required by the
ordinance.
1.The requested variance is inconsistent and does not adhere to the PUD
2.A lack of practical difficulty in adhering to the ordinance based on a unique
natural aspect to the property not caused by the owner.
3.The variance has economic impacts.
4.Plight of the landowner is the result of decisions made by the owner to revise
the orientation of their home on the property.
5.The proposed addition would not adhere to the required rear yard setback
which is inconsistent to the other corner lots in the development making it a
change in the character of the neighborhood.
Staff Recommendation
•Staff does recognize that the requested variance is an encroachment of
approximately 3 feet and would still maintain a 22-foot rear yard setback.
•As the request is not unreasonable, staff has prepared an alternate findings
of fact in support of variance approval if the Planning Commission desires to
approve the variance.
•Staff is not opposed to the alternate recommendation
Alternate Recommendation
Applicant
Question & Answer
Planning Commission
Discussion
Public Hearing
Planning Commission
Discussion
“The Chanhassen Board of Appeals and Adjustments
denies the requested rear setback variance for the
construction of a sport court at 7030 Lucy Ridge Lane
subject to the conditions of denial and adopts the
attached Findings of Facts and Decision.”
Proposed Motion
“The Chanhassen Board of Appeals and Adjustments
approves the requested rear setback variance for the
construction of a sport court at 7030 Lucy Ridge Lane
subject to the conditions of denial and adopts the
attached Findings of Facts and Decision.”
Alternate Motion