Zoning Board approves front-yard setback variance for Linden Hills home at 4148 Upton Ave. S.

Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment Chair Matt Perry and the board approved a variance on Aug. 14 allowing portions of a proposed single-family dwelling at 4148 Upton Avenue South to encroach into the established front-yard setback, by a 5-0 vote.

City planning staff told the board the property, in the Linden Hills neighborhood in Ward 13, has a lot area of 7,669 square feet and that the applicant seeks a reduced front-yard setback of 37.9 feet. Adjacent properties were cited with front-yard setbacks of 48.4 feet to the north and 34.9 feet to the south. Staff recommended approval, finding the proposal meets the ordinance standards and would not alter the essential character of the block.

The variance would allow the front stoop, a corner of the attached garage and a portion of the new dwelling to encroach into the established setback. Staff noted the proposed design currently exceeds the allowable floor-area ratio (FAR) and that staff is working with the applicant to revise plans; "A building permit will not be issued if they are over FAR," a planning staff member said during the hearing.

Applicant Barrick Steamlage of Anchor Builders told the board his company has built about a dozen homes in the neighborhood and said the design changes aim to preserve a large oak tree at the rear of the lot. "We're really trying to find a way to make this work," Steamlage said, saying the builder has adjusted the foundation design and consulted arborists to reduce impact on roots.

Neighbor Beatrice Fleming, who said she lives at 4142 Upton Avenue South, told the board she has lived on the block 44 years and voiced frustration that the applicant had not met with neighbors in advance. Fleming questioned how the 48.4-foot measurement was taken and expressed concern the house moving forward would increase shading of her garden.

Chair Perry acknowledged the communication concern and asked the builder to improve outreach to neighbors. The board discussed lot depth discrepancies — staff noted a 12-foot difference in rear lot depth between the north and south sides — and other site constraints, then voted to adopt staff findings and approve the variance. The clerk recorded five ayes and zero nays (Board members Callahan, Eichholtz, Grama Skorsch, Hutchins and Ingram), with two members absent. The approval was conditioned by staff's note that FAR must be brought into compliance before a permit is issued.

The board encouraged the applicant to follow up with neighbors about the project and tree-preservation measures. No change to the property height or general orientation was approved beyond the setback variance; staff and the board said the proposed development would continue to function as a single-family home and match the block's character.