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Commission recommends council approve hardcover variance for new Westview Drive home
Summary
The Deephaven Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend City Council approve a conditional use permit allowing a new house at 3725 Westview Drive to exceed the hardcover limit by 9.5%, contingent on stormwater mitigation including two infiltration trenches and other staff conditions.
The Deephaven Planning Commission on Oct. 15 recommended the City Council approve a conditional use permit that would let a homeowner replace a 1952 house at 3725 Westview Drive with a new residence that increases site hardcover from 16% to 34.5%.
Planning Director Pat Smith said the applicant proposes two underground infiltration trenches in the front yard to capture stormwater from the roof and backyard. With the proposed improvements, Smith said only about 23% of the stormwater would continue to drain off the site and the effective hardcover would be 24.41%. The City Engineer reviewed and approved the grading and stormwater management plans.
Ethan Kindseth of Alma Homes, the applicant, told the Commission some of the hardcover overage results from a rear patio and said the project would involve removing six trees. Property owner Chris Holmes said he is “planning to build their dream home in Deephaven” and that they are trying to keep as many trees as possible.
Neighbor Paul Weibel said he “likes Deephaven because of the woods” and expressed concern about removal of three trees on the south side of the house. Neighbor Warren Lester said the block’s continuity is special but he welcomed a new neighbor and had no objections; he noted construction will take about nine months, according to Kindseth.
Chair Mike Petersen commented that Deephaven is seeing newer houses replace smaller, older homes, and noted that “trees are owned by private property owners, and the city believes property owners will only remove the minimum number of trees necessary to build a new house.”
Commissioner Patrick Donlin moved, and Commissioner Jerome D’Alessandro seconded, a motion to accept staff findings and recommend City Council approval of a conditional use permit to exceed the hardcover limit by 9.5% for the property at 3725 Westview Drive. The motion carried 4-0. The City Council will consider the commission’s recommendation at a future meeting.
