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City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for May 6th, 2020 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2020\20-004 1741 Venus Avenue Tourdot Variance\Memos Reports Page 2 of 8 The Applicants argue that the deck is an essential feature of the house, as it provides the only access to the front door and the plan they propose does not extend any farther toward the front lot line than the current deck and adjoining stone stairs, nor is the proposed deck any higher than the current deck, which would preserve neighborhood character. The proposal also removes a section of the deck to the west of the front door which partially blocks of the egress window on the ground level. The Applicants’ plan increases the area in front of the front door to make the front door more accessible and to create a space in the front of the house they argue will support neighborly engagement. The Planning Commission is being asked to determine if a variance request for flexibility with the front setback requirement should be approved for the deck and “bridge” walkway. The sketches that have been submitted show that the replacement walkway would be the same size and length as the current walkway, but the replacement deck would exceed the area of the deck currently in place. The Applicant could replace the deck with a new deck of the same size without a variance, but they are asking for a variance to build a larger deck than would be allowed by code. The evaluation of the proposal should be based on the District Provisions in Section 1320 and the Requirements for a Variance in Section 1355.04, Subd. 4. Plan Evaluation Chapter 13, Zoning Regulations Review 1. District Provisions (R-1 Single Family Residential District) – Section 1320.06 Lot Size and Dimensions The Subject Property does not meet the minimum lot size and length requirements for the R-1 District's 14,000 square foot minimum lot size or the 130 foot long dimension requirements. Overall, the Subject Property is 12,500 square feet or 0.29 acres in size and only 120 feet long, which makes it a nonconforming parcel.