Council unanimously approves variance to split property at 15055 Upper 63rd Street North

The City Council voted unanimously to approve a variance allowing a lot split at 15055 Upper 63rd Street North, permitting two lots of roughly 9,145 square feet each and waiving the requirement for full platting in favor of a minor subdivision process.

The variance was introduced as new business A and presented by a staff substitute for city planner Richards, who said the parcel is about 18,290 square feet and zoned R2. The proposal would create two lots with lot widths of roughly 67.8 feet; current city code requires an 80-foot lot width and a minimum lot area of 10,400 square feet. The planner said the planning commission unanimously recommended approval and staff supported the minor-subdivision approach to avoid the significant expense of a full platting process.

Council members asked practical questions about the proposal. An applicant representative said the plan is to place a second single-family home on the new lot and add a garage to the existing house to reduce on-street parking. On snow removal, the representative described neighboring lots as more tightly spaced and said the proposed layout would make snow storage manageable.

A council member moved to approve the variance and the motion carried on a roll call vote: Council Johnson, Council Ligrin, Council Run, Council member Swanson and Mayor Dhy voted yes (5-0). The approval allows the applicant to proceed with a minor subdivision rather than a full platting process; the council did not specify additional conditions in the meeting record.

Next steps include administrative processing of the minor subdivision and any required permitting for the new home construction.