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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 7, 2014 3 <br /> <br />City Planner Streff reviewed the surrounding area, the Plan Evaluation and the Variance <br />Evaluation Criteria. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff provided the Findings of Fact for review: <br /> <br />General Findings <br />1. The property is in the R-1 Single Family Residential Zoning District. <br />2. The lot is 15,569 square feet in size with approximate dimensions of 133.5 feet in width, <br />and 116.5 feet in depth. Although the total square footage of the lot meets the <br />requirements in the R-1 Zoning District the actual dimensions of the lot do not meet the <br />minimum size requirements. <br />3. The existing dwelling and attached tuck-under garage meet all property line setbacks. <br />4. The proposed garage addition would encroach thirty (30) feet into the forty (40) foot <br />secondary front yard setback along the right-of-way platted as Rolling Hills Road. <br />5. The proposed addition does not encroach into the rear yard setback or the front yard <br />setback along Venus Avenue. <br />6. The platted section of right-of-way for Rolling Hills Road is used solely for the purposes <br />of a city and county trail. <br />7. The unimproved right-of-way known as Rolling Hills Road extends approximately 200 <br />feet from Venus Avenue, where it terminates at the adjacent property line for Tony <br />Schmidt Regional Park. At this time, there are no plans to extend the right-of-way or <br />construct a roadway in this area. <br />8. The existing garage would be converted into living space and the existing driveway <br />would be removed if a variance is granted. <br />9. The proposed structure and landscaping coverages are within the zoning district <br />requirements. <br />10. The dwelling with the proposed addition would not exceed the 35 foot height limit. <br />11. Single Family Dwellings are permitted structures within the R-1 Zoning District. <br />12. The existing dwelling and the proposed garage are outside of the 100-year flood plain, <br />wetlands, and easements. <br />13. The property directly east of the subject property located at 1834 Venus Avenue <br />encroaches into the secondary front yard setback along Rolling Hills Road approximately <br />fifteen (15) feet. <br /> <br />Variance Findings: <br />14. The proposal is in harmony with the purpose and intent of the Zoning Ordinance as the <br />Ordinance generally allows flexibility for unique parcels and situations when impacts to <br />surrounding properties are minimized. <br />15. The proposal is consistent with the Arden Hills Comprehensive Plan as it allows the <br />reasonable use of residential property. <br />16. Single family dwelling are permitted and a reasonable use within the R-1 Single Family <br />Residential Zoning District. <br />17. The lot has rather unique characteristics for a corner lot within the City. The property is <br />situated on a corner lot, of which only one of the right-of-ways, Venus Avenue, consists <br />of an improved surface. The right-of-way known as Rolling Hills Road along the east side <br />of the property is unimproved and is used for trail purposes only. There are no plans at <br />this time to extend or improve this right-of-way.