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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION—May 6, 2020 3 <br /> 2. Recommend Approval as Submitted <br /> 3. Recommend Denial <br /> 4. Table <br /> Chair Gehrig opened the floor to Commissioner comments. <br /> Commissioner Jeffreys asked if the City has previously approved a FAR request over .3 in the <br /> past. <br /> Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated it was his understanding the <br /> City has received one other request for a FAR variance and this was for another unique lot. He <br /> explained the majority of lots in the City meet all zoning requirements, but older lakefront lots <br /> were unique. <br /> Commissioner Jeffreys questioned if an architect would be aware of the City's FAR <br /> requirements. <br /> Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla deferred this question to the <br /> architect. <br /> Andrew Peterson, architect for the Applicants, explained he understood the requirements ahead <br /> of time. However, he stated it took time to lay out the space and to fully understand how the <br /> Applicants would want the building to be laid out. <br /> Commissioner Jones commented on the Met Council information that was provided to the <br /> Commission. He supported the City reviewing how FAR was measured. He noted this was the <br /> third time this home has been before the Commission. He inquired if the Applicants were <br /> planning to raise the floor in the basement while also adding space above the garage. <br /> Mr. Peterson explained this was a new construction home and the house has been designed with <br /> flexibility to where additional space could be captured. He indicated the space above the garage <br /> and in the lower level could accommodate the therapy room. He reported if the FAR variance <br /> was not approved, he would need to revise the plans. <br /> Commissioner Jones questioned if the .34 FAR included both the basement and space above the <br /> garage. <br /> Mr. Peterson stated nothing has been approved yet. He commented in the lower level the floor <br /> would be raised for a crawl space. He indicated the exterior envelope of the home would not be <br /> altered if the FAR variance was not approved. He described how the home was built into a <br /> hillside and a portion would be useable space and the remainder would be crawl space. He <br /> reported the crawl space had to not be livable space because of the City's FAR requirements. <br /> Commissioner Lambeth commented on the information that was provided to the Commission <br /> in November of 2019. He asked what the lot size was for this property noting there were three <br /> different numbers included in the materials. He discussed the history of this Planning Case noting <br /> the previous requests from the Applicants. He understood the Applicants were requesting extra <br /> space for special needs programming for their child, but indicated the Applicants were now <br />