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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 13, 1999 12 . addition to reach the setback limits on the property to the west. Additionally, the lot to the west was much wider than the applicant's. Councilmember Malone expressed concern for the request and suggested that the proper solution would be for the applicant to purchase five feet of/and from the property to the west. He agreed that the house had been built according to the slope and was made to fit properly with the contours ofthe property. He did understand staffs preference that the bulk of the home not be right on the property line. He felt that the proposed garage was acceptable but was not certain about the house addition. He noted that most other homes in the area were built more towards the centers ofthe lots. Councilmember Aplikowski asked if the proposed house addition would be possible if the City Council were to take the stand that the applicant must acquire land from the neighbor to the west. Ms. Randall stated that, if the neighbor were willing to sell a portion of their land, the addition would be possible. The applicant would have to request a minor subdivision. Mayor Probst confirmed that a variance would not be required for this scenario. Ms. Randall stated that this was correct. . Councilmember Rem asked if this option had been discussed with the applicant. Ms. Randall stated that staff had briefly discussed this option with the applicant, however, the applicant had felt that a variance would be easier. She was not sure what discussions the applicant may have had with the neighbor regarding this possibility. Councilmember Rem asked ifit had been presented to the applicant that the City would prefer a land acquisition rather than variance. Ms. Randall stated that the idea had been discussed as an option. Councilmember Larson asked if either of the two letters received by the Planning Commission had been from adjacent neighbors. Ms. Randall stated that the property owner to the west had been present at the Planning Commission meeting and was in full support of the request. Councilmember Larson asked if the applicant had offered reasons for not adding onto the other side of the house. Ms. Randall stated that there was a fairly new deck on the east side of the home. Additionally, the applicant was looking for additional bedroom space and the east end of the home contains the kitchen and dining room areas. It would not flow well with the interior layout to add a bedroom off the kitchen. Councilmember Malone asked, ifthe Council were to consider staffs original recommendation, would it be possible to add on to the rear of the home. Ms. Randall stated that it would be possible to expand to the north without a variance. She indicated that the applicant had expressed concern for the drainage in this area. The homes to the north of the applicant are higher and the drainage does flow down towards the applicant's home. In order to expand to the north, the applicant would be required to re-grade the property. Ms. Randall noted that the applicant would be allowed to expand four and one-half feet to the west without a variance. . Mayor Probst expressed his support of the request. He felt that the addition was the logical area for the bedroom expansion. He was not sure that allowing the garage and not the house addition would serve the neighborhood. He was persuaded to support the request because the home to the