Council Turns Down Homeowners' Plans for Two-Story Garage and Apartment on Helena Avenue

An Oakdale couple’s plan to build a garage with an apartment above was turned down Tuesday by the Oakdale City Council.

Ted and Carelle Stein wanted to build a three-car garage and workshop for themselves with a 990 square foot apartment above for their young adult son, who’s attending grad school after returning from the Air Force, and possibly an elderly parent in the future, Carelle Stein said. 

The building, proposed in front of their home at 2566 Helena Avenue N., would have required council approval of two special use permits and two variances. The proposed garage was closer to the street and taller than what city law typically allows.

Requesting that many exceptions for one residential project is unusual, council members said, and ultimately the proposed garage/apartment would detract from the character and property values of the neighborhood.

“It’s a beautiful building. It’s just not appropriate for the area,” said Council Member Kent Dotas. “It’s not in the character of the neighborhood and I would venture to guess that a majority of the residents bought into the area because of the character of the neighborhood.”

The Steins said they tried to design something that looked nice and preserved as many trees as possible.

“Some of these trees are 60 to 100 foot tall oaks,” Ted Stein said. “They'll never be replaced in our lifetime.”

Neighbors from 18 nearby homes sent a petition to the city after the proposal got approval from the Planning Commission saying they opposed the building because its 30-foot height was too tall.

Neighbors spoke out for and against the building at the meeting.

Neighbor Karen Bethke said those who opposed the project were infringing on the Steins’ ability to use their land.

Another neighbor, Duwayne Lohrkey, said he could support a garage, but not with an apartment on top.

“I wouldn’t build a house for my kids on my lot,” he said. “If you want to build a house and all that, go out into the country on 5 acres and build all your houses you want.”

All five council members said they opposed the project so, based on the advice of city attorney Jim Thomson, they directed staff to prepare a resolution stating their reasons for denial of the requested variances and permits.