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Page 6 of 9 Variances are only permitted when they are in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the ordinance. 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 for a proposed addition. The Subject Property is zoned R-3, Townhouse and Low Density Multiple Dwelling District and is guided as Low Density Residential on the Land Use 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 Applicants, the Hunters Park Planned Unit Development would preclude an improvement to the house without granting a variance and the request to improve the home would seem to be a reasonable pursuit. b. Unique Circumstances. The plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner. The Applicants have indicated in their narrative that the approved PUD was to allow more homes in a smaller area creating the nonconforming issues and that action was beyond the control of Owners seeking future improvements to the house. c. Character of Neighborhood. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. 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 Applicants, the proposed addition would not create over building and crowding within the neighborhood. 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.