CCP 02-27-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. massing ofthe renovated existing home and the new home will be consistent with existing homes on Skiles and throughout the neighborhood. Item 2 in the Plan Evaluation (findings of fact) section in the planning staff report is not quite accurate, the existing building (after the portion is removed) will not encroach on the new property line, but rather will encroach into the 10' sideyard setback. Regarding the Variance request, we feel the variance request should be granted for the reasons below. Section 1150.01 of the City Code regarding variances in subdivisions lays out three conditions that must exist. 1. The hardship must not be a mere inconvenience 2. The condition(s) upon which the request is based are unique and not generally applicable to another property. 3. The granting of the variance will not be substantially detrimental to the public welfare and is in accord with the purpose and intent of this chapter, the zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. . Regarding Item 1, the hardship is not a mere inconvenience. The hardship is more of a hardship for the site than for us. Financially, we would be better off either moving the house or tearing it down and building two new houses. We do not want to do either of those things because we feel that would disturb the site too much and result in the removal of many of the trees from the site. Granting the variance allows us to renovate the existing house without removing any of the trees on the west II, of the lot. The variance also allows us room to build a house on the east side 'of the lot and remove only 3-4 trees. (See site plan) We feel the character of the neighborhood will stay better preserved by leaving the house and granting the variance than by moving the house or by tearing it down. The value of the lots will be higher if the trees remain. Trees have a proven monetary value in real estate and cutting them down would reduce the value of the property. . Regarding Item 2, there are very few, if any, properties in the neighborhood that are wide enough to create two legal lots and that have an existing house that is almost entirely on one side of the original, larger parcel. There are three or four lots in the neighborhood as wide as 1401 Skiles, but they all have houses close to the center of the lot. By removing the small portion of the house that would have encroached on the property line, we actually have the opportunity to improve the desirability and marketability of the house. This is a condition that is not generally applicable to any other property in the neighborhood and is likely not applicable to many properties in the city. . Regarding Item 3, we feel that granting the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare and is in accord with the city code, the zoning ordinance and the comprehensive plan. In fact, we feel that leaving the house mostly where it is and granting the variance is a ~ AI Page 5 of6 -1401 Skiles Lane