PCP 01-04-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EVIDENCE OF HARDSHIP . The following paragraphs outline why the City should approve the request and how the application meets the hardship criteria as defined by the City. The circumstances pertaining to this property are indeed very unique. The irregular shape, size, and positioning of the property are unlike any other. Bordered by public streets on three sides, the buildable area of the property is severely limited and would likely sit vacant should the variance not be granted. Granting of the variance would promote the character ofthe neighborhood and preserve and enhance the values ofthe surrounding properties. Granting ofthe variance would also ensure that the property continued to be used as intended. The proposed structure would not cause harm or danger to the land, the environment or surrounding properties and residents. Visibility at intersections of the adjacent streets will not be hampered, providing safe traffic flow as before. In our opinion, without granting of a variance, the property could not be put to reasonable use as a residential site. Due to the irregular shape of the property and the minimum required setbacks as set by the City code, no reasonably sized structure could be erected within the confines ofthe setbacks. Therefore, the property, currently zoned as R-I, would likely sit vacant within an otherwise nicely developed neighborhood. . The hardship in question was created by an accidental fire which started outside of the existing structure. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire, but the structure suffered more than 50% damage, and it has been deemed a total loss. At the time of original construction, the structure complied with local codes and ordinances. Since then, City codes have evolved and required setback distances have increased. Due to the nature of the loss, the pre-existing conditions may not be "grandfathered" into compliance under the current code, and the structure would need to be entirely brought up to current codes. Granting of the variance will allow the property owner to construct a new home, roughly the same size and shape ofthe existing in the same location as the existing. The architecturally designed home will complement the surrounding structures and enhance the neighborhood. The home will be clearly visible from three sides and care has been taken in the design to ensure the proposed home is aesthetically pleasing and not overpowering in any way. .