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Zoning board approves 6-foot front-yard fence variance for Kingfield home at 3701 Blaisdell Ave S
Summary
The Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment on July 17 approved a variance to permit a 6-foot fence in the front yard at 3701 Blaisdell Avenue S (UN2 district, Kingfield neighborhood). The board adopted staff findings that the lot’s configuration and substandard size created practical difficulties. Vote: 4-2.
The Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment on July 17 approved a variance allowing a 6-foot-high fence in the front yard at 3701 Blaisdell Avenue S, increasing the maximum allowed front-yard fence height from 4 feet to 6 feet. The property is in the UN2 Urban Neighborhood zoning district in the Kingfield neighborhood (Ward 8).
City planner Fatima Olukoga presented staff findings supporting approval, saying practical difficulties existed because the property is a substandard reverse-corner lot that wraps around an adjacent flag lot and is effectively bounded by a driveway functioning like an alley. Staff concluded the applicant did not create the planning condition and that a front-yard fence at 6 feet would not alter the area’s essential character or create safety hazards; staff recommended approval with the condition that necessary encroachment permits be secured from Public Works where applicable.
Board discussion focused on the uniqueness of the lot and the specific portion of fence at issue. One member questioned whether reverse-corner lots were uncommon citywide and whether that alone supported a practical-difficulty finding; staff responded the combination of the reverse corner with the adjacent flag lot and the lot’s substandard size made this case distinct. Another board member said photos and site plans clarified that the fenced area was set back from the main thoroughfare and supported approval.
A motion to approve staff findings was seconded and passed on roll call, with yes votes from Board member Callahan, Board member Eichholtz, Board member Grama Korch and Board member Smikharova; Board member Hutchins and Board member Ingram voted no. The clerk recorded 4 ayes and 2 nays.
The board noted the approval is subject to the usual encroachment-permit process where the fence partly occupies public right-of-way; staff said the encroachment condition was included so the fence could legally remain in its proposed location.
