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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 10, 2020 5 Associate Planner Hartmann reported the applicants were in attendance. Councilmember Holmes questioned if the applicants were requesting a deck that was one foot wider than allowed by City Code. Associate Planner Hartmann stated this was the case. Councilmember Holden inquired if decks were allowed on the front of houses. Associate Planner Hartmann explained code does permit decks to encroach in the front yard, but only six feet. He noted the applicants were asking for a seven foot wide deck. Mayor Grant requested further information regarding the six foot encroachment. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla indicated a deck could be six feet into the front yard setback. Mayor Grant inquired how far this deck would encroach into the setback. Associate Planner Hartmann stated a seven foot wide deck would be 33 feet from the front property line. He noted the home was 40.5 feet from the property line. MOTION: Councilmember Scott moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 92020-030 Approving Planning Case 20-004 for a Variance at 1741 Venus Avenue, based on the Findings of Fact and the submitted plans in the August 10, 2020 Report to the City Council. Councilmember McClung asked if this new application was 10 square feet less than the existing deck or the prior request. Associate Planner Hartmann explained this request was 10 square feet less than the deck that was currently on the property. Councilmember Holden stated she was confused and she didn't understand what the one additional foot of deck space would add to this property. She indicated she could not support this variance request. Councilmember Holmes commented she believed the Council made it very clear the City did not support front yard decks. She indicated the applicant has the ability to build what was there plus a little bit more. She did not see anything in the variance language that would allow for one additional foot to come forward. She stated she did not see any reason for granting the variance at this time. Mayor Grant questioned how wide the existing walkway was. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported the existing walkway was 4.5 feet wide.