4.b) Letter response re Ekdahl Estates HOASeptember 30, 2015
The letter submitted by the Ekdahl Estates HOA regarding the Amundson variance request asks a
number of questions about the ordinance requirements and potential conditions for the proposed
variance. I have provided some responses to the items listed in the letter, below, which you can share
with the Planning Commission members so that this info is available for the Planning Commission
discussion on October 6. The Ekdahl Estate questions are in italic font, below, with responses following:
1. Residential Designation
The Amundson property is not part of the Ekdahl Estates subdivision or its dedicated open
space. The Amundson property is located in the General Rural (GR) Zoning District. The
Comprehensive Plan and Development Code permit a variety of uses in the GR District,
specifically including specialty agriculture, horse and hobby farms, raising of animals, and single-
family residential uses, and these uses are permitted on the Amundson property.
2. Entrance to Building Site
The City Engineer has recommended a condition for approval of the variance (Condition #6) that
the final plans for the building include a driveway material in the area adjacent to 205th Street
that prohibits erosion and sedimentation downstream. He is also recommending that driveway
culverts be reviewed and changed if needed to maintain drainage.
The proposed structure is outside the drainage easements that exist on the Amundson parcel, as shown
on the Certificate of Survey.
3. Drainage and Environmental Impact
The City Engineer has recommended conditions for approval of the variance to manage
potential erosion and drainage (Condition #6). The applicant will need to obtain permits from
the Watershed District and City and follow the best management practices required by the
permits in order to build the proposed building.
4. Side Notes/Questions
1. Entrances to residential lot: the City typically allows 1 driveway per residential lot with new
subdivisions. This driveway likely predates that requirement or was permitted by the City
due to specific circumstances, and is therefore a legal, nonconforming driveway.
2. Lot coverage and accessory structures permitted: The Development Code permits up to 25%
lot coverage in the GR District. The proposed coverage on the parcel will be 1.8% with the
proposed building. The Code permits up to two residential accessory structures with a total
area of 3500 square feet, and up to 2 agricultural buildings with a total area of 6,000 square
feet, on parcels that are 10.0 to less than 20.0 acres in size. The Amundson parcel currently
has 1 residential accessory structure that is approximately 1,800 square feet in size. The
proposed barn is 2,240 square feet in size. The proposed structure meets the ordinance
requirement.
3. Agricultural use of the building. The building is proposed to house agricultural equipment
and tack for horses. It will also provide shelter for the horses during winter weather. The
Development Code definition of Agricultural Building is the following: “A structure on
agricultural land designed, constructed, and used to house farm implements, livestock or
agricultural produce or products used by the owner, lessee or sub-lessee of the building and
members of their immediate families, their employees, and persons engaged in the pickup
or delivery of agricultural produce or products.”
The Development Code does not have requirements for separating farm animals or equipment from
wetlands. The Code includes a general requirement for a 75’ undisturbed buffer around wetlands. The
Code requires that buildings that shelter domestic farm animals be setback from wetlands, lakes or
streams by 200 feet. The applicant is requesting a variance from that requirement to locate the building
160 feet from the pond on the parcel. The proposed conditions require that manure or wastes
generated by the seasonal use of the building to house farm animals be removed from the building and
stored at a location that meets the setback requirement. The City and Watershed District do not
conduct inspections of properties, unless a complaint is received regarding an ordinance violation.
4. The property discussed in #4 is within the Ekdahl Estates subdivision, and is part of the
designated open space. The Amundson parcel is not part of the Ekdahl Estates subdivision.
Sherri Buss
Planner, City of Scandia
Sherri A. Buss, RLA, AICP | Senior Planner/Manager, Planning Group
444 Cedar Street, Suite 1500, Saint Paul, MN 55101 | P: 651.292.4582 | www.tkda.com