HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011 1221 MinutesCity of Riverdale
Board of Adjustments
Minutes
Meeting 12/21/11
Public Hearing For Variance Request Minutes:
Members Present: Fisher, Pelton, Staub, Hiles, Kosinski
Members Absent: None
Guest Present: Matthew and Charlene Bennet and Dan Dirksen
Presiding: Fisher
Recorder of Proceedings: Staub
Call to Order: 7:00PM
Adjourned: 7:28PM
Fisher opened the Public Hearing at 7:00PM.
The request for a variance submitted by Matthew Bennett at 1126 Fenno Dr. was
reviewed and the board opened the floor for discussion and comments. Mr. and
Mrs. Bennett explained that they had made several attempts to determine what the
requirements for a variance were and had been met with a lack of information.
The board reviewed the guidelines for a variance. The Bennett’s feel they currently
meet the code requirements for having these two buildings. The first original
building he feels is an unattached garage and is used to store motorized vehicles,
including a motorcycle. This original building was used by the previous owner to
store motorcycles as well. Mr. Bennett also stated that the first building is also large
enough to store other types of motorized vehicles. It has a garage style roll top door
as well. Based on the city code, this building should be counted as a garage, not an
additional shed. Mr. Bennett stated that the building inspector, Lou Wren, claimed it
was not a garage. Mr. Bennett disagrees with this. Mr. Bennett also stated it was his
desire to keep his property looking as neat as possible while working on making
improvements to his home, which is why he started building his storage shed.
Dan Dirksen, who is their neighbor to the North on Fenno Drive, stated he
supported their building of a new shed and had no issues or concerns with it.
There were also three letters returned from neighbors stating that they approved
the building and had no issues or concerns.
The public hearing was adjourned at 7:28PM
The Board of Adjustments Meeting was then called to order at 7:29PM
Same parties were present; Fisher, Staub, Pelton, Hiles, Kosinski, Dirksen and Mr.
and Mrs. Bennett.
A motion was made to approve the variance by Hiles. Pelton seconded the motion
and the board voted:
Hiles: No, Pelton: No, Kosinski: Abstained his vote, Fisher: No, Staub: No
The petition was denied.
It was stated by Kosinski that if in fact this other building can be deemed a garage,
then there is no need for a variance because it would fit into the code requirements
of the city. The Bennett’s would discuss this further with Lou Wren.
A recommendation was made for Mr. Bennett to go to the city council to request that
all information pertaining to the city codes be readily accessible. A recommendation
that the city update the form used to request a variance be updated to include the
stipulations for a variance. The Board of Adjustments agreed to have a work session
in February to make recommendations to update the form.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55PM.
Submitted by:
Jenny Staub