CCP 12-16-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Memo to Planning Commission Planning Case #02-28 Page5of6 applicant, or any future owner of this property, would require a variance in order to place a shed in a suitable location. Therefore, staff has determined that the property cannot be put to a "reasonable use" in that without the variance the applicant would be prohibited from reasonable development equivalent to what would be permitted on a similar size lot in the same district but without the unusual configuration. 4. Was the hardship created by the owner? No. The hardship in this case is that due to the unusual circumstances; the house oriented at an angle on the lot, the ponding in the rear yard, and the Streetside Side Yard setback requirements; the applicant would not be able to locate a shed on their property without a variance. The house is sited at an angle toward the southwest comer of the property and the low level of the rear yard of this property which creates ponding after precipitation. The house was not sited in its current location by the applicant but by a previous owner. Water has always run along the southern edge of this property and it used to then flow eastward along the southern edge of neighboring properties. However, one of the neighboring property owners hauled in fill to raise the level of their property and eliminate some water drainage on their property. Unfortunately, this caused a worsened situation ofponding water in the rear yard of the applicant. Due to these circumstances the applicant would be unable to locate a shed in the rear yard and the southeast quadrant of the property. If the applicant were to try and locate a shed in the southwest quadrant of the property they would be unable to do so because most of this area is within the Streetside Side Yard Setback area. The portion that is not within the Streetside Side Yard Setback area is too small to contain the 12 x 8 shed. 5. Would granting the variance alter the essential character of the neighborhood? No. The row of evergreen trees would conceal the shed from view along Hamline A venue from the West, and a few more trees and the house would shield the shed from view from the North. The shed will still be noticeable from the property to the south but not as visible from the south along Hamline A venue. Lastly the house would shield the shed from view from the East so the property owners to the east should not be impacted either. Furthermore, sheds are permitted accessory structures and commonplace in R-I and R-2 zoning districts throughout Arden Hills.