05-04-22 PC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 6 of 9 1. Purpose and Intent. The variance request shall comply with the purpose and intent of the provisions of the City’s Zoning Regulations and with the policies of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The variance request for 1152 Benton Way is consistent with the purpose and intent of the R-3 Zoning District and with the policies within the City’s Comprehensive Plan. A single- family detached dwelling with an addition is a reasonable use within the Low Density Residential land use designation and the R-3 Zoning District. 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. The existing parcel on the Subject Property is currently “non-conforming” with the R-3 district’s standards for lot size, combined side yard setbacks, structure coverage, and floor area ratio due to the small lot sized approved at part of the Hunter’s Park Planned Unit Development. The proposed building addition would maintain the current side yard setbacks and be located 5.8 feet from the south side yard property line. The combined side yard setbacks would remain 11.6 feet. The proposed addition would decrease the Subject Property’s landscaped area and increase the structure coverage. The increase in lot coverage and the decrease in landscaped area are reasonable in the Hunter’s Park Development, due to the abundance of shared greenspace throughout the development. There is a total of seven acres of Homeowners Association common greenspace throughout the neighborhood. b. Unique Circumstances. The plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner. The Hunter’s Park Planned Unit Development was approved with small lot size and density in mind. At the time of development, many of the dwellings in the neighborhood were built closer to property lines than would otherwise be allowed by the Arden Hills Zoning Code. Due to the small lot sizes in the Hunter’s Park neighborhood, the requirements of the R-3 District are an impediment to home improvements for the Subject Property as well as the surrounding parcels. A variance would be needed for most scenarios involving a substantial home improvement project within the neighborhood. c. Character of Neighborhood. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. The proposed building addition would maintain the current side yard setbacks and would not require a rear yard setback variance. The proposed addition will match the exterior materials of the existing structure. By doing so, the Applicants have stated this will maintain the character of the area. Also according to the application, the proposed addition would not create over building and crowding within the neighborhood.