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City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for September 7, 2016 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2016\PC 16-022 - 1500 Arden Place - Variance\Memos_Reports_16-022 Page 6 of 9 Area Exhibit (Attachment F), the areas of the dwelling encroaching in the lakeshore setback are relatively small. The property owners have intentionally placed the dwelling towards the center of the property to reduce its visual impact on either of the neighboring properties. The dwelling could have been shifted east towards 1492 Arden Place and reduce the need for a variance, but this would actually have a greater visual impact on the adjacent property. Environmental conditions on the property also restrict shifting the dwelling to the east to reduce the variance need. There are significant grade changes in the northeastern corner of the property that would present construction challenges. Additionally, there is a large stand of trees along the shared property line with 1492 Arden Place that creates a visual buffer between the two properties. The dwelling could be moved further east, but this would likely impact trees in this area possibly reducing the natural screening of the new dwelling. The front yard setback variance is relatively minor, as shown in the Buildable Area Exhibit. Only a small portion of the northwest corner of the attached garage would encroach in the 40-foot setback. The applicants designed their plans in this way in an effort to reduce the encroachment in the lakeshore setback as much as possible. There is significant grade change and tree coverage between Arden Place and the proposed location of the dwelling, which would reduce the visual impact of the encroachment. Additionally, the adjacent property at 1516 Arden Place was granted a variance in Planning Case 95-07 to allow for the principal dwelling to be setback 12.7 feet from the front property line. The encroachment in the front yard setback would not be inconsistent with development patterns in the area. Findings of Fact Staff offers the following findings of fact for review: General Findings: 1. The property at 1500 Arden Place is located in the R-1 Single Family Residential Zoning District. 2. The lot is a conforming lot within the R-1 District. 3. The applicants have proposed taking down the existing dwelling on the property and constructing a new single-family dwelling and accessory storage building. 4. Based on the requirements outlined in Section 1330.03, Subd. 4 of the Zoning Code, the City has determined that the required setback for the new dwelling is 80 feet – 2 inches from the Lake Johanna OHWL. 5. The proposed principal structure would encroach 15 feet – 9 inches into the required setback from the Lake Johanna OHWL, creating a setback of 64 feet – 5 inches. 6. Section 1325.03 of the Zoning Code allows decks to extend up to 6 feet into the required structure setback. Therefore, a deck could be up to 74 feet – 2 inches from the Lake Johanna OHWL. 7. The proposed deck would encroach 15 feet – 4 inches into the setback from the Lake Johanna OHWL, creating a setback of 58 feet – 10 inches.