05-05-21 Planning Commission - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 4 of 6 The variance request for 4073 Valentine Court is consistent with the purpose and intent of the R-1 Zoning District and with the policies within the City’s Comprehensive Plan; 2. Practical Difficulties. The Applicant for a variance shall establish that there are practical difficulties in complying with the provisions of the Arden Hills Zoning Regulations. The term “Practical Difficulties” as used in the granting of a variance means: a. Reasonable Use. The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the Zoning Ordinance. According to the Applicant’s application, a third car garage stall for a single family home is a reasonable use of the Subject Property in the R-1 Zoning District; b. Unique Circumstances. The plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner. According to the Applicant’s application, the lot has a very odd shape. In the front of the house, along the road, there is one curved section and 3 straight sections. The structure is currently nonconforming as to setbacks. The setback requirements were different when the house was built in 1953. On the side, the closest distance from the curb to the proposed garage addition is approximately 27 feet. It is unlikely the city would want to make use of that property. There are significant small screening trees in that area, partly blocking the view from the street. Other areas on the property were considered for a freestanding garage. Any of the other areas in the front yard, or anywhere close to the house in the rear, would involve cutting down big 100+ year old Oaks. Adding behind the existing garage would involve significant drainage issues and would require major regrading under the drip line of some of the 100+ year old oaks.; c. Character of Neighborhood. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. According to the Applicant’s application, the existing neighborhood has homes with a variety of different garages and housing styles. The proposed variance will not alter the character of the neighborhood. Many garages have been added to the road side of existing homes in the neighborhood. The topography and odd lot shapes make the neighborhood quite varied. The homes are not in straight lines, all the same distance from the road or each other. 3. Economic Consideration. Economic consideration alone does not constitute a practical difficulty. The proposed variance is not based on economic consideration. 4. Access to Sunlight. Inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems shall be considered a practical difficulty. A solar energy system is not proposed.