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Minnetonka planning commission unanimously recommends three accessory‑structure permits to City Council
Summary
The commission recommended City Council approval of a detached garage at 16801 Excelsior Blvd., a 384‑sq‑ft greenhouse at 4915 Highland Rd., and a 1,152‑sq‑ft detached garage at 12600 Orchard Rd.; staff recommended approval for each and commissioners voted 6‑0 to forward the resolutions to Council, which will hear the items July 27.
The Minnetonka Planning Commission on July 9 recommended that the City Council approve three conditional use permits for accessory structures, voting unanimously to forward each item for City Council consideration on July 27.
Staff recommended approval of all three applications after concluding that the proposals meet applicable site and building standards or that unique site circumstances justify limited variances.
At 16801 Excelsior Boulevard, Van Horn Construction requested a conditional use permit and a setback variance for a new detached garage. Staff said the lot is approximately 0.30–0.37 acres and described the proposed garage as 22 by 24 feet with a code‑defined midpoint height of 16 feet and an overall height of roughly 20–22 feet. The variance is needed because the proposed structure would be about 13.3 feet from the side yard and 10 feet from the rear yard, short of the standard 16‑foot side/rear setback. Staff recommended approval, noting the new location reuses the existing developed portion of the site and would be the least‑impact option. Property owner Terry Bevans told the commission the existing 1958 garage has structural issues and that the larger replacement is necessary to store modern vehicles and improve resale potential. After brief commissioner discussion about compatibility and future accessory‑dwelling conversions, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.
At 4915 Highland Road, applicant Amy Hansen sought a 384‑sq‑ft greenhouse that raises the site’s aggregate accessory‑structure total to 2,712 sq ft (past CUPs in 2007 and 2016 were noted). Staff found no tree removal was required, setbacks would be met, and the accessory area is subordinate to the 6,665‑sq‑ft principal home on the 4.7‑acre site. Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on siting among tree cover and the use of supplemental lighting; Hansen said the greenhouse is primarily for early‑season seed starting and occasional seasonal use and that supplemental lighting is expected. Commissioners acknowledged concerns about setting precedents based solely on lot size but concluded the project fits the property and recommended approval, 6‑0.
At 12600 Orchard Road, the applicant proposed demolishing an existing 24x24 garage and constructing a new 24x48 (1,152 sq ft) detached garage. Staff concluded the proposed structure is subordinate to the principal structure, meets midpoint height and setback standards, and presented site plans showing minimal site impacts and screening from Orchard Road; no tree removal was proposed. The applicant described functional and resale reasons for the larger garage. Commissioners supported the consolidated accessory structure and recommended approval by unanimous roll call.
Each of the three recommendations will be considered by the Minnetonka City Council at its July 27 meeting. The commission recorded unanimous votes on the recommendations; staff polled each member and read the roll. No members of the public testified at the hearings on these items.
