The Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment approved one variance request while denying another for a proposed single-family home with detached accessory dwelling unit at 400 Prospect Avenue during its July 31 meeting.

The board unanimously approved a front yard setback reduction to preserve a 40-inch white oak tree, which city staff said meets zoning requirements for protecting substantial native tree specimens. However, the board denied a request to increase building height from 33 to 35 feet, following staff recommendations that cited lack of unique hardship on the property.

Property owner Robin Ganzer argued the height variance would create consistency within zoning code, noting nonresidential structures in the same UN1 district are allowed 35 feet while residential structures face a 33-foot limit. Ganzer said a standard 24-foot-wide house with 12-on-12 roof pitch cannot achieve 2½ stories within the current height restriction.

Neighbors Mike McCabe and Heather Jones opposed both variances, with McCabe arguing the proposed structure would not fit the neighborhood character and would "stick out like a sore thumb." McCabe said the steep roof pitch differs significantly from surrounding homes and questioned whether the applicant demonstrated legitimate hardship justifying the variances.

The property, located in the Tangletown neighborhood, is being split from its original double lot configuration. Staff recommended approval of the setback variance due to tree preservation requirements but found the height request did not meet required findings for practical difficulty or unique site challenges.