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Planning commission approves 3‑foot driveway setback variance at 23375 Itasca Ave N
Summary
The commission approved Resolution 22526‑01 granting a variance to reduce the side‑setback for a driveway from 5 feet to 2 feet at 23375 Itasca Ave N, finding unique site conditions and attaching conditions to manage grading and drainage; one commissioner recorded an opposition.
The Forest Lake Planning Commission voted on Feb. 25 to approve a variance allowing a driveway to be built two feet from the side property line at 23375 Itasca Avenue North.
Staff summarized the request: the property is roughly five acres with a multilevel house and rear garage. Driveway access currently serves only the upper garage; the applicant proposed extending a driveway to the rear garage, which would require a three‑foot reduction from the standard five‑foot side‑setback for driveways in the rural residential zoning district. Staff said the retaining wall proposed is under four feet and thus permitted, and staff recommended approval of Resolution 22526‑01 with conditions, citing unique site constraints (house location and preexisting easement) and the requirement to protect adjacent properties from drainage impacts.
Applicant Andy Apakowski explained on the record that slope and seasonal wet/freezing conditions make the rear garage difficult to access and that the retaining wall and driveway alignment were designed to provide a safe, level approach. Staff recommended conditions including a grading plan demonstrating drainage would be directed away from the northern neighbor, restricting the retaining wall to under 4 feet, prohibiting the discharge of eroded material onto adjacent property, and obtaining applicable permits from the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District.
Commissioner Susan moved to approve the resolution with all staff conditions; the motion was seconded and the resolution passed, with one commissioner recording opposition. City staff confirmed the applicant had provided a grading plan and that the approval carries the listed conditions.
The approval allows the property owner to construct the driveway subject to the conditions and any required permits from watershed and building authorities.
