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Planning commission approves two residential variances, forwards recommendations to city council
Summary
The Brainerd City Planning Commission approved variances to allow a front-yard garden shed at 722 Mississippi Drive and a vertical addition at 703 North 7th Street, and will forward both recommendations to the City Council for final action at its next meeting.
The Brainerd City Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to recommend approval of two residential variance requests and will forward both items to the City Council for final action.
Staff presented the first request for 722 Mississippi Drive, where Allan and Nancy Albertson seek permission to build a 12-by-18-foot garden shed in the front yard of a riparian parcel along the Mississippi River. Staff (James) told the commission that the principal residence sits about 150 feet from the ordinary high‑water line and that shoreland requirements and the house location make placing an accessory structure behind the house impractical. Neighbor Scott Ransom spoke in favor. The commission approved the variance and a staff representative said the recommendation will go to the City Council on Sept. 2.
The commission then heard a second request for 703 North 7th Street from Joseph (Joe) Douglas to convert unfinished attic space into a finished bedroom as a vertical addition. Staff explained that the existing foundation is 4 feet 10 inches from the fence line in a TN1 district that requires a 5‑foot sideyard setback and said that because this is a vertical—not lateral—addition, staff did not require a property‑pin survey. Douglas said the roof needs replacement and the finished space will provide a bedroom for his family. Commissioners asked about property pins and surveys; staff said a lateral expansion would trigger a required survey but a vertical addition can be processed without one. The commission approved the variance and will forward the recommendation to the City Council for consideration at its next meeting.
Both approvals were handled as recommendations (the Planning Commission is advisory); staff noted that the City Council will make the final determination. The record includes references to city code section 5309 regarding shoreland setbacks and to the TN1 district sideyard standard. Vote tallies were not recorded verbatim in the transcript; minutes will show the formal roll call.
