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08.b1a Rodsjo Variance RequestNarrative for Variance Request Susan and Paul Rodsjo 21450 Pomroy Avenue North Scandia, MN 55073 February 3, 2022 Dear City of Scandia Planning Commission and City Council: We are requesting a variance to build an accessory dwelling unit closer to the road than the primary residence. The structure is a Swedish settler’s cabin made of hand-hewn logs -- built by hand in approximately 1860. Its original home is just north of Scandia near Hwy 95 and 285th Street. We would like to move the cabin to our property and renovate it in the Swedish tradition. The photo on the left shows the cabin that we purchased to move to our property. The photo on the right shows a similar log cabin in Sweden to give you an idea of what the cabin will look like when renovation is complete. I am half Swedish, and Paul was born in Norway. We are both passionate about historic preservation, and we are excited to breathe new life into this local piece of Scandinavian immigrant history. A local contractor from Franconia who has Swedish roots saved this cabin from being torn down and is working closely with us on the plans to ensure we preserve its Swedish character. The current cabin is 17’4” x 30’. We plan to add a new entry way on the front and a bathroom on the back. Per the current architectural plans for the renovation, the footprint is about 736.5 square feet. When accounting for the attic space, total square footage is about 1006.5 sf. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR A VARIANCE FOR THE SIZE. We are working with our contractor to reduce the size of the cabin to 1,000 sf or less, and the final plans we submit for the permit will comply with Scandia’s development code. The proposed location for the cabin is more than 250 feet from Pomroy Avenue North and over 50 feet from the side yard. Dense forest screens the location from the neighbors’ properties, and we are willing to plant pine trees to provide additional screening. We are not able to place the accessory dwelling unit in the rear or side yard of the primary residence because: 1. Rear: The septic system drainfield and tanks fill the immediate rear and the south rear of the property. Also in the rear, a creek runs during snowmelt and heavy rainfall. 2. South Side yard: The south side yard is the only other location on the property where it is possible to place an alternate drainfield should we develop problems with the existing drainfield – or if the drainfield needs to be expanded. 3. North side yard and rear: The northwest corner of the property – and the north side of the house – are not buildable due to a creek that runs along the north side of the primary residence during spring snowmelt and heavy rainfall. In response to the letter from neighbor Patricia Brannan: Patricia Brannan’s letter questions our planned use of the cabin. Our use of the cabin will be in full compliance with Scandia’s development code and ordinances. Our primary plans are to use it as a guest cabin for our children and future grandchildren, family and friends who visit from Norway and Sweden (all of Paul’s siblings and his father live in Scandinavia), and for other guests. Our son Espen lives in Bozeman, MT, and stays with us frequently while in Minnesota for work and pleasure. Our daughter, Elli, lives in Minneapolis and visits frequently. Should we choose to rent the cabin to a young family, an elderly person or couple (such as my parents as they age), or to families visiting Scandia, it would be in full compliance with Scandia’s Development Code and ordinances. This is not a subject of the variance request. See Appendix A, Scandia Development Code Section 3.2 -Accessory Structures, Paragraph (3) (A). I will also point out that we are not a Bed and Breakfast under Scandia’s Development Code. We are a residential property, and this is our primary residence. Exceptions for Historic Accessory Buildings and Structures Per the Scandia Development Code for Accessory Structures, the City may grant exceptions to the requirements that accessory structures be located no closer to the roadway right-of-way than the primary structure, so long as the structure originated in Scandia or adjacent communities. The settler’s cabin is a historic structure, having been built around 1860. Its original home is Franconia or Shafer (I’m trying to confirm which one), both of which are communities of Swedish heritage similar to Scandia. See Appendix B, Exception for Historic Accessory Buildings and Structures, Paragraph (5) and (5)(C) Sincerely, Susan Rodsjo Appendix A SCANDIA DEVELOPMENT CODE – Accessory Structures 3.2-Accessory Structures [starts on page 34 of Scandia Development Code] [PAGE 35] (3) Residential and Agricultural Accessory Structures. The following additional standards apply to all residential and agricultural accessory structures: (A) Accessory structures may not include a dwelling unit unless it meets the standards of Section 4.2 Accessory Dwelling Units of this Development Code. Accessory structures or portions of structures that meet the standards of Section 4.2 may be rented or leased. Other accessory structures shall not be rented, leased, or sold separately from sale of the primary single-family dwelling on the lot. Appendix B SCANDIA DEVELOPMENT CODE – Accessory Structures – Exception for Historic Accessory Buildings and Structures [PAGE 37] (5) Exception for Historic Accessory Buildings and Structures. The City may grant exceptions to the requirements for the number and/or total square footage of accessory structures permitted on a parcel, to the maximum height requirement, and to the requirement that accessory structures be located no closer to the roadway right-of-way than the primary structure, to permit the preservation of historic buildings and structures, based on the following criteria and requirements: (A) The exception shall only be granted when it is necessary to preserve the historic buildings or structures, to maintain the historic character of the property, or meet the City’s goals for preservation of its historic structures and character. (B) The appearance and arrangement of the building(s) and structure(s) shall reflect the general design, massing and locations of historic buildings and structures identified in Scandia’s Architectural Design Guidelines. (C) If the landowner proposes to move the building or structure to his/her property, an exception shall only be granted for historic buildings or structures that originate within Scandia and adjacent communities. (D) Only one exception shall be granted to each property in Scandia. (E) Exceptions shall be granted only for parcels that are 4 acres or larger in size. (F) Exceptions may be granted in all Zoning Districts. (G) The preservation of the structure or building shall not conflict with other policies, regulations and requirements, including setback requirements. (H) The exception shall not create an unreasonable burden on adjacent properties/owners. (I) The exception shall not be contrary to the public interest or the intent and purpose of the Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.