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_____________________________________________________________________________________________ City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for April 9, 2025 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2025\PC 25-001, 1126 Benton Way - CUP Page 3 of 14 The Applicant is requesting a variance to exceed the maximum structure coverage of 25 percent to 27.3 percent and construct a 4.4 foot by 6.8 foot addition on the principal structure. The existing structure coverage on the Subject Property is 26.9 percent and the proposed addition would increase the coverage to 27.3 percent. The proposed addition would expand the structure footprint by 30 square feet, bringing the total structure coverage from 1643 square feet to 1673 square feet. Section 1320.06 of the Arden Hills City Code requires a maximum structure coverage of 25 percent on residential properties. According to the Applicant’s narrative, there are fluctuations in temperature and humidity at the southwest corner of the home which have resulted in damage to the Applicant’s grand piano. A classical pianist, the Applicant had taken other measures to address the climate issues within the home without success before landing on a construction solution. The proposed addition is an exterior vestibule, and its purpose is to create a separate space between the room where the piano is located and the exterior of the principal structure to remedy the temperature control problems which have damaged two grand pianos at the Subject Property. Initially, the Applicant considered the construction of a vestibule within the existing principal structure footprint. The Applicant states that the design of a vestibule inside the home drastically reduced the functionality of the rest of the room and was not a workable option. The Applicant has provided site drawings for the proposed addition in Attachment E. The Applicant is requesting a variance for flexibility from the 25 percent structure coverage requirement to construct the proposed addition of 30 square feet. The Subject Property was developed in 1974 in accordance with the Hunters Park PUD. The Subject Property was expanded with an addition to the dwelling in 2009 following the approval of a variance request for flexibility from front and rear yard setback requirements and the structure coverage requirement. The 2009 request was made by a previous property owner. The Applicant would not be able to construct the proposed addition without a variance. The Applicant has also submitted a Conditional Use Permit application to allow a Class II Accessory Home Occupation on the Subject Property for the operation of their piano lessons business. The Applicant is the sole employee of the business and teaches about three (3) to six (6) hours in a day. Piano lesson students are seen one at a time during scheduled times Monday through Friday between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with 30– 60-minute breaks between some students. Piano students or their parents park their vehicle in the Subject Property’s driveway and one car departs when another arrives. The Applicant states that one student and their parent would be on the premises during a lesson and that lessons are conducted entirely within the home. There is no exterior evidence of the piano lesson business outside the home and the lessons do not require a separate entrance to the property. The piano lessons are conducted in one room of the house, indicated in the site plan included as Attachment F. Approvals: