Laserfiche WebLink
<br />City of Arden Hills <br />City Council Meeting for May 26, 2020 <br />P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2020\20-008 3244 Sandeen Road Variance\CC Packet <br /> <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />additional 396 sq. ft. that the Applicant requests without changing the envelope or <br />appearance of the home from the exterior; <br /> <br />b. Unique Circumstances. The plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to <br />the property not created by the landowner. <br /> <br />According to the Applicants’ application, the nonconforming nature of the lot due to <br />overall area and width as well as the bluff feature which puts the allowable FAR <br />significantly lower than a typical conforming lot; <br /> <br />c. Character of Neighborhood. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character <br />of the neighborhood. <br /> <br />According to the Applicants’ application, the proposed variance will not alter the <br />character of the neighborhood because the house could be constructed by right and <br />additional floor area is entirely internal to the site and invisible to the neighborhood; <br /> <br />3. Economic Consideration. Economic consideration alone does not constitute a practical <br />difficulty. <br /> <br />The proposed variance is not based on economic consideration. <br /> <br />4. Access to Sunlight. Inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems shall be <br />considered a practical difficulty. <br /> <br />A solar energy system is not proposed. <br /> <br /> <br />Findings of Fact <br />The Planning Commission reviewed this application at their May 6, 2020, meeting and have <br />offered the following findings of fact for your consideration: <br /> <br />1. City Staff received a land use application for a variance request to increase the allowable <br />FAR on a single family dwelling at the Subject Property 3244 Sandeen Road. <br />2. A single-family detached dwelling is a permitted use in the R-2 district. <br />3. The Subject Property is non-conforming with the R-2 districts standards for minimum lot <br />width and area requirements. <br />4. The proposed additional floor area would be below grade and wholly within the principal <br />structure of the house. <br />5. The proposed development of the subject parcel would conform to all other requirements <br />and standards of the R-2 district. <br />6. A variance may be granted if enforcement of a provision in the zoning ordinance would <br />cause the landowner practical difficulties.