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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 27, 2016 9 townhomes to the east. A trail easement across the walking path was dedicated on the Fox Ridge plat. City Planner Streff commented that due to environmental constraints, the existing house was placed in the far northeastern corner of the lot near the 30-foot rear yard and 10-foot north side yard setback lines. The dwelling also required a setback of approximately 73 feet from the front property line to avoid the drainage and utility easement and conform to structure setback requirements. In comparison, most of the homes in the Fox Ridge subdivision as well as those on Keithson Drive to the north of the subject property are setback approximately 40 feet from the front property line. City Planner Streff explained the applicants have requested a rear yard setback variance in order to construct a 216 square foot three-season porch addition on the rear side of the house. The porch addition would encroach 3 feet – 6 inches into the required 30-foot rear yard setback, creating a setback of 26 feet – 6 inches from the rear property line. The project would also include a 211 square foot deck that would be accessed through the new porch addition. In this case, a variance is only needed for the porch addition as the deck encroachment in the rear yard setback is allowed under the permitted encroachment provisions in Section 1325.03, Subd. 2 of the Zoning Code. City Planner Streff reviewed the Plan Evaluation and the Variance Evaluation Criteria. City Planner Streff stated the Planning Commission reviewed Planning Case 16-015 at their regular meeting on June 8, 2016. The Planning Commission offers the following findings of fact for consideration: General Findings: 1. The property at 1494 Keithson Drive is located in the R-1 Single Family Residential Zoning District. 2. The lot is in conformance with the minimum lot size and dimensions for the R-1 District. 3. The existing conditions on the property are in conformance with the setback and structure and lot coverage requirements for properties in the R-1 District. 4. The proposed porch addition would encroach 3 feet – 6 inches into the rear yard setback creating a setback of 26 feet – 6 inches from the rear property line. The minimum rear yard setback in the R-1 District is 30 feet. The proposed porch addition would meet all other setback requirements for the R-1 District. 5. The proposed deck is in conformance with the Zoning Code as Section 1325.03, Subdivision 2 (A) permits decks to extend six feet into the rear yard setback as long as the encroachment is not closer than six feet from the rear lot line. The proposed deck would be setback 26 feet – 6 inches from the rear property line. 6. All other aspects of the proposed porch and deck addition are in conformance with the Zoning Code requirements for the R-1 District. 7. The proposed addition would not encroach on any flood plains, wetlands, or easements. 8. The proposed addition is not expected to impact any significant trees on the property. Variance Findings: 9. The variance would be in harmony with the purpose and intent of the City’s Code because the impact of the addition on adjacent properties would be mitigated by the location of the