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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2,2005 5 Works Facility grounds, subjcct to the six conditions as noted in stafTs February 2,2005 . rcport and the amendcd condition six as outlined by staff at tonight's mecting. Thc motion carried unanimously (6-0). C. PLANNING CASE 05-02: DEBRA AND WILLIAM THORNTON. 35tO SIEMS COURT: VARIANCE Chair Sand opened the public heating at 7:33 p.m. Mr. llellegers statcd applicant was rcquesting an II-foot front yard sctback for an addition to the front of applicant"s property in Arden Hills. Staff recommended approval of the rcquest subjcct to the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall file all necessary building permits with thc Building Official for approval prior to the issuancc of a building permit. Building pennits shall be submitted to thc Building Official a minimum of two (2) wecks before the planned start of construction. Commissioner Zimmerman noted cunently the house is 6.7 feet closer to the lot linc than required. Hc asked if a variance was request cd at the time the home was built. Mr. Hellegers rcplied there was no record of a variance requestcd. . Commissioner Modescttc notcd thcrc was dcck on the back of thc house and she was not sure if unbuildable was accurate. Mr. Hcllcgcrs pointed out there was a steep grade which would make it difficult to build on. He noted thc propcrty was not very functional because of its narrowness. Commissioner Zimmcrman asked if applicant was not requcsting a variance and a building permit was issucd would if this confonning propeliy be grandfathered in. Mr. Hellcgers rcplicd it would he. Chair Sand asked how large the three-scason porch on the back of thc house was. Mr. Hellegers rcplied applicant was in attcndance tonight and could answcr that question. Chair Sand invitcd anyone for or against the variancc to comc fOlward and make comment. William 1'ho111ton, 3510 Siems Court, applicant, thanked City staff He notcd the staff was very helpful and cooperative with him. Hc summarized the history of the lot and house. He notcd the housc had to be situated whcre it was because of the cliff in the back yard. He indicated they had no practical way of building hack to the cast. He stated thc screencd porch back edgc had 1 5-foot posts that went down off the edge of the clifT. Hc indicated this was a vcry unusual lot. He noted to thc south they had large oak trecs that thcy did not want to disturb. He stated to thc north there was a garage, which would need . to be dcmolished and a bascment dug. He indicated one of the other problcms they were facing was that the lot line was about 20 feet in from the edge of the road and that had created that on one edge their house it was 33 fect fi"om the lot linc. He notcd thcir lot line curvcd in. He statcd the home was built ovcr 50 years ago. Hc indicated cven with granting thc 11- f()ot variance at the nOlih end 0 f thc proposed construction, they were still