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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 9, 2020 2 Associate Planner Hartmann stated the Applicant is requesting a Variance to expand the current 528 square foot garage on the Subject Property into a 1,100 square foot garage. The maximum size of a garage allowed by right is 728 square feet. The existing garage meets the front and rear yard setbacks which are forty (40) and thirty (30) feet from the front and rear property lines, respectively, but the garage is only three (3) feet from the side yard setback where a ten (10) foot side yard setback is required for an accessory structure in the R-1 district. Due to the size of the request and the current garage’s legal nonconforming side yard setback (refer to Planning Case 00-004 for the previously approved three (3) foot setback variance), the Applicant requires a variance approval for the expansion of the garage. Associate Planner Hartmann reported the Applicant is proposing to expand the accessory structure in order to gain more storage space for their vehicles. According to the Applicant’s narrative submitted as a part of their application, when the sidewalk was installed within the easement facing County Road E, they lost driveway space that they had been using for the storage of vehicles. Expanding the garage will allow them to store their vehicles on the property safely. The Applicant has also indicated to staff that they intend to widen the driveway with permeable pavers and seek a future expansion of the house so that the increased size of the garage will not appear out of character with the property or the neighborhood. No permits have been pulled for these projects yet, and while they would require separate building plan review, these projects would not require a variance. Associate Planner Hartmann reviewed the surrounding area, the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1. City Staff received a land use application for a request to build a bigger garage for a single family dwelling at the Subject Property 1434 County Road E. 2. A garage for a single-family detached dwelling is a permitted use in the R-1 Single Family Residential District. 3. The Subject Property is a legal nonconforming lot due to the lot not meeting the minimum width requirement for the R-1 District. 4. The Subject Property is non-conforming with the R-1 District’s standards for minimum lot length requirements. 5. The proposed development of the Subject Property would conform to all other requirements and standards of the R-1 district. 6. The Subject Property was previously granted a side yard setback variance of three (3) feet for a garage under Planning Case 00- 004. 7. The proposed structure would not exceed the three (3) foot variance distance previously approved. 8. A variance may be granted if enforcement of a provision in the zoning ordinance would cause the landowner practical difficulties. 9. Variances are only permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the ordinance. Associate Planner Hartmann stated staff recommends approval of Planning Case 20-014 for a Variance at 1434 County Road E, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the conditions below: 1. A Building Permit shall be issued prior to commencement of construction.