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<br /> Page 6 of 8 <br />proposed addition will allow for both of the residents’ vehicles to be parked in the garage <br />while being accessible. Additional storage of tools and equipment will also be possible. <br /> <br />b. Unique Circumstances. The plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to <br />the property not created by the landowner. <br /> <br />According to the Applicant, the current garage was built and located where it is long <br />before they owned the property. The Applicant purchased the property in 2023 and the <br />Subject Property was built in 1952. <br /> <br />c. Character of Neighborhood. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character <br />of the neighborhood. <br /> <br />According to the Applicant, the variance requested is in keeping with the character of the <br />neighborhood. The design of the addition is four feet behind the front line of the existing <br />garage and thus is four feet further from the property line so visibility at the corner <br />intersection is maintained. The Applicant states that the garage addition fits with the <br />neighborhood and will not stand out as a different type of visual design or feel. <br /> <br />3. Economic Consideration. Economic consideration alone does not constitute a practical <br />difficulty. <br /> <br />The Applicant states that the proposed variance is to increase the personal functionality of <br />the building for their family, not to turn a profit of some kind. <br /> <br />4. Access to Sunlight. Inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems shall be <br />considered a practical difficulty. <br /> <br />A solar energy system is not proposed. <br /> <br />Findings of Fact <br /> <br />The Planning Commission must make a finding as to whether or not the proposed application <br />would adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood or the community as a whole based on the <br />aforementioned factors. Staff offers the following findings for consideration: <br /> <br />General Findings: <br />1. City Staff received a land use application for a variance request to the required R-2 Zoning <br />District side yard setback for corner lots and the front yard setback at the Subject Property <br />1945 Edgewater Avenue. <br />2. A single-family dwelling is a permitted use within the R-2 Zoning District. <br />3. The garage addition will not impede sight lines or obstruct the clear vision area from the <br />roadways since the existing building line along Prior Avenue will remain the same. <br />4. The existing detached garage is legal nonconforming with a side yard setback of 1.4 feet. <br />5. The proposed garage addition would have a side yard setback for a corner lot of 5.8 feet <br />and does not increase the nonconformity of the lot. <br />6. The proposed garage addition would decrease the required front yard setback to 39.2 feet. <br />