Andover Greenlights Pizza Ranch Expansion With Setback Variance Approval

Andover Greenlights Pizza Ranch Expansion With Setback Variance Approval

Andover, MN – The City of Andover has granted a crucial setback variance to the local Pizza Ranch restaurant, paving the way for an anticipated expansion that is expected to enhance the popular eatery's offerings. The decision, made by the Andover City Council at its meeting on [Insert Date if known, otherwise state "a recent meeting"], allows the business to build closer to a property line than typically permitted by the city's zoning ordinances.

The Andover Pizza Ranch, known for its buffet-style pizza, chicken, and salad, has been a staple in the community since its opening around December 2013. This variance approval signals the restaurant's intent to grow its footprint, likely to accommodate more diners or potentially introduce new features, such as the "FunZone Arcade" seen in other Pizza Ranch locations, like the recently re-opened Champlin franchise owned by the same operators, Randall and Sheryl Hubin.

Understanding Setback Variances:

A setback variance is a formal request to deviate from established zoning regulations that dictate the minimum distance a building or structure must be placed from property lines or public rights-of-way. These requirements, known as setbacks, are implemented by local governments for various reasons, including:

• Public Safety: Ensuring adequate space for emergency access and reducing fire hazards.
• Aesthetics and Neighborhood Character: Maintaining consistent streetscapes and preventing overcrowding.
• Privacy: Providing sufficient separation between neighboring properties.
• Light and Air Circulation: Ensuring adequate natural light and airflow between buildings.
• Stormwater Management and Landscaping: Providing space for necessary environmental features.

Businesses or property owners typically seek a setback variance when strict adherence to the zoning ordinance would create an "unnecessary hardship" or "practical difficulty" due to unique circumstances of the property, such as its size, shape, topography, or existing structures. Variances are not a change to the zoning law itself but rather an exception granted for specific situations.

While the specific details of Pizza Ranch's expansion plans necessitating the variance were not immediately available, such approvals are often granted to allow for additions, parking improvements, or reconfigurations that maximize a property's utility while ensuring minimal negative impact on adjacent parcels or the overall community character. The city's approval indicates that the council determined the expansion's benefits outweighed any potential drawbacks of the reduced setback.

The approval of this setback variance allows Pizza Ranch to proceed with its expansion plans, a development that will likely be welcomed by its loyal customer base in Andover, promising an even more accommodating dining and entertainment experience.

MinneapoliMedia