Deephaven council approves variances and conditional-use permit for 3610 Northome Ave, requires curb design review

The Deephaven City Council on May 19 approved variances and a conditional-use permit to raze an existing 1920 house and build a new home at 3610 Northome Ave, with conditions to protect neighboring properties from changed stormwater flows.

Planning & Zoning official Pat Smith presented the application, saying the current lot’s hardcover is about 34.5% and the proposed development would increase that to 37.34%. Smith said the applicant proposes to offset the excess hardcover by installing an underground infiltration trench in the southwest corner of the lot; the applicant estimates the trench would capture about 30% of the lot’s stormwater runoff.

Resident James Shipstad told the council that stormwater from Azure and Northome roads is “wrecking my yard” and asked the council to consider adding curbing to redirect flow. Smith and council members discussed curb design and who would approve it: Councilmember John Studer asked whether the city would review the final curb design to ensure neighboring properties are not harmed; Smith confirmed staff will approve the design. Mayor Kent Carlson said the city hasn’t required concrete curb historically; Councilmember Tom Erdmann and others discussed whether concrete or asphalt should be required. The builder agreed to install an asphalt curb and the council asked the city engineer to review post‑installation stormwater routing.

Applicant Chad Hansen said the deck and house design attempt to minimize encroachment into setback lines and that he and the builder met with neighbors at the Planning Commission to address concerns about water from the street.

On a motion by Councilmember John Studer, seconded by Councilmember Tom Erdmann, the council approved a 16.7‑foot variance into the front yard setback, a 5.2‑foot rear‑yard variance for a deck and a 2.3‑foot variance for the house side yard, and a conditional‑use permit to exceed the hardcover limit by 12.34%, conditioned on city staff approval of the curb location and design and final house elevations. The vote was 5‑0 (Mayor Kent Carlson; Councilmembers Emily Scherschligt, Tony Jewett, John Studer and Tom Erdmann).