Title
Memorializing a City Council decision to deny the appeal of Stronger Sober House from a Board of Zoning Appeals decision to deny a variance request to establish a 12-resident supportive housing facility on the property at 269 Harrison Avenue.
Body
WHEREAS, on May 9, 2025, Chad Unger, on behalf of Stronger Sober House (Applicant), under Zoning File No. 25-033888, for the purpose of establishing a 12-resident supportive housing facility on property commonly known as 269 Harrison Avenue, [PIN No. 012823420050] and legally described as WHITACRE BRISBINE & MULLENS SU EX N 46 2/10 FT LOT 96 which is located in a H2 zoning district, applied to the Board of Zoning Appeals (“Board”) for a variance of 516 feet from the 1,320 feet minimum distance requirement for specified congregate living facilities.
AND, WHEREAS, the said application was duly noticed for a public hearing before the Board on May 30, 2025; AND
WHEREAS, on June 9, 2025, the Board conducted a public hearing where all persons interested in the said application were afforded the opportunity to present testimony either in-person at the hearing or by the prior submission of written testimony for the record; AND
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute § 462.357, subd. 6 provides that a city may grant a variance when the applicant for said variance establishes that there are practical difficulties in complying with the zoning ordinance; AND
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute § 462.357, subd. 6 defines "Practical difficulties" as the property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning ordinance; the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner; and the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties; AND
WHEREAS, Section 61.601, of the City of Saint Paul’s Legislative Code also requires variance applicants to demonstrate practical ...
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