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~ ~~HILLS VARIANCE PROCEDURES WHAT Is A VARIANCE? A variance is a legally permitted deviation from the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as deemed necessary by the Planning Commission and City Council when the strict interpretation of the Ordinance would create undue hardship or restrict reasonable use. To determine if a hardship exists, the City must find that the strict interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance is impractical because of circumstances related to lot size. shape, topography or other unique characteristics of the property, However. it must be determined that the variance will still be within the spirit of the Arden Hills Zoning Ordinance and the character of the neighborhood, CITY REVIEW PROCEDURE: 1. Applicant reviews proposal with City Planner before plans are finalized. 2. Applicant submits application and supporting documents to the City. 3. Planner prepares written review of application for Planning Commission and City Council (City Attorney, Engineer, Building Inspector and Fire Chief may also prepare reviews depending upon issues involved in application), 4. Planning Commission reviews proposal and makes recommendation to City Council. 5. City Council reviews application and takes action. 6. City Staff processes permits. HARDSHIP CRITERIA: The variance procedure in the Arden Hills Zoning Ordinance (Section Viii, 4) and Minnesota statures 462.357 Subd, 6, requires the City to consider seven matters when hearing requests for zoning Code variances: 1. The property in question cannot be put to a reasonable use if used under conditions allowed by the official controls; 2. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner; 3. The deviation from the Ordinance with any attached conditions will still be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the Ordinance; 4. The variance will not create a land use not permitted in the zone; 5, The variance will not alter the essential character of the City; 6. The variance is not for economic reasons alone; 7. The proposed use is permitted within the zone. Depending on the application, the City may include other evaluation criteria as deemed necessary. Responses to the above seven criteria must be referenced in a written statement describing the project proposal. INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS: The application and supporting documents must be submitted at least thirty days before the Planning Commission meeting, which is usually held the first Wednesday of each month. Please review the project checklist to ensure that all required materials have been submitted, While a certified survey is not required in all circumstances, please contact the City Planner to determine if a full survey is needed. The full Zoning Ordinance is available online at www.cLarden-hills.mn.us. City of Arden Hills' 1245 West Highway 96, Arden Hills. MN 55112. (651) 634-5120