Posted: 5/22/07
Variance requests tabled due to lack
of numbers at city council meeting
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Due to the fact two of the council members were missing last Monday, May 14, the Caledonia City Council could listen to zoning requests, but couldnít take any action. City statute dictates all zoning requests must be passed by a four-fifths majority.
With Mayor Michael Morey absent due to his motherís funeral, and Councilman Paul Fisch attending an out-of-state business conference, the council was made up of three members: Randi Vick, Gary Klug, and Robert Standish. The following are three zoning requests reviewed at the May 14 meeting:
Hauser-Augedahl
John Hauser Jr. and Amy Augedahl submitted a building proposal to construct a new residence with a attached garage at 317 Gjere Ave. The home would include 1,768 square feet on the main level and 1,545 square feet in the basement level. A 28 by 30-foot garage is also being proposed. Because the plans call for the garage to be located within 15 feet of the rear (west) property line, a setback variance is required.
Jeff Sheehan
The council reviewed a request by Jeff Sheehan, 416 East Main Street, for a variance request. Sheehan plans to construct a 28 by 34-foot addition onto an existing 21 by 28-foot garage for a total building dimension of 28 by 55, or 1,540 square feet. The city zoning ordinance stipulates a garage canít be more than 1,200 square feet for Sheehanís lot size. He would need a 340 square foot variance.
Sheehan explained since he sold the old creamery building, he needs additional storage for his collector cars. His current garage, which is detached from his house, is two levels, and he can only park his vehicles on one level. Sheehan noted his property is actually two lots, and didnít feel the larger garage would look out of place.
City Administrator Bob Nelson asked Sheehan if there was any way he could cut down the size of the garage addition so it would fall within the 1,200-square-foot limit. He replied he could possibly cut down on the size and make it a double-deck garage. But that would require a hoist, which would add considerable cost to the project.
Schulze-Krueger
Diane Schulze and Arden Krueger Jr., 1129 East Grant Street are proposing to construct a new home, measuring 52 by 34 feet, with a 28 by 32-foot attached garage.
The property already has a 1,200-square-foot unattached garage. City ordinance restricts the size of a garage of 1,200 square feet. By adding the attached garage, the property in question would be out of compliance by 896 square feet.
City ordinance also restricts the number of garages on a parcel of property to one. The Schulze-Krueger plans call for two garages, which would require a second variance.
Next Council meeting May 29
All three zoning issues will be reviewed at the next city council meeting, which will be held Tuesday, May 29 due to Memorial Day falling on May 28.
Caledonia Argus
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Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
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