3C - Variance to Allow Garage to Remain Within Side Yard Setback

Home Browse Search

i (A) After going through the planning and zoning process to acquire a permit, it was determined that we could build a 24' x 26' garage on our property last fall (started in late October and finished in November 2007). After demolition and excavation of the land, the garage was unintentionally situated too close to the southeast corner of the property line. The northeast corner of the garage is 17' from the property line and the southeast corner of the garage is 7' from the property line. Because this structure does not meet the 10' setback requirement, we request a variance to allow the garage to remain where it is. (1) In preparing for the building permit, we had our builder measure and stake out the area to determine what size garage would fit. Taking the 10' setback into consideration and the close proximity of our well,we determined we had enough room to build a 24' x 26' garage. The back of the garage would have to be built into a slight hill --- 4 courses of blocks in the back, and the garage would have to be turned at an angle so that the front corner of the garage would be 10 feet away from the adjacent property line. (2) We went through the planning and zoning process to acquire a building permit. (3) If we have to move the garage, it will damage and weaken the structure, and removing the garage would deprive us of storage space that we previously had with the old garage for our vehicles, lawn equipment, tools, and our pontoon boat during the winter months. (4) Our initial planning for this garage included making sure we had enough land to construct a garage. When we did our measuring, we allowed for a 10 foot setback for a 24' x 26' garage. (5) None. The garage is very attractive and sits in the back yard of the cabin and does not block any adjacent property owner's view of the lake. This garage replaces an older dilapidated, dirt floor, single car garage that was sitting in the same place. (6) This area primarily consists of seasonal lake cabins. Most of the owners are weekend and vacation visitors, though there are a few that are retired and spend their summers at the lake and winter in a warmer climate. Those that are not currently retired, are planning to in the near future and will be spending their summers at the lake also. Most everyone has a garage for their vehicles and recreational equipment. Several years ago an older cabin was demolished and a new a-frame log home was built in its place. (7) N/A (8) None. (9) None. (10) None. (11) We did not intentionally build the garage that close to the property line. We provided all the information that was requested of us by the City of Pequot Lakes to obtain a building permit. We do not live there on a permanent basis and were not there to examine the project on a daily basis. We were not aware of how close the builder had constructed the structure to the adjacent property line. 2205866v1