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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 2, 2005 6 48 fcct from the edge of the road and on the south end, they werc also still over 48 feet . from the road. He indicated this was a uniquc neighborhood and the houses were scattercd all ovcr thcir lots because of the topography. He stated therc wcrc a number of homcs in the neighborhood that had sctback issucs and havc had to request variances. Hc stated this was a uniquc ncighborhood and they did not want to destroy any of that Ul1lqueness. He pointed out that their home was getting old and necdcd to be updated. He indicatcd thcre wcre vmious homes in the neighborhood that had requested variances to update their homes. Hc stat cd he believed thcy were kccping with the character of the ncighborhood and this was the best option duc to the unique lot thcy had. Commissioner Thompson stated she had looked at thc lot and shc agreed thcre was a deep cmbankmcnt. She asked if they had considered expanding out to thc east. Mr. Thornton rcplied thc problcm thcre was with thc walkout, which would make two floors and they did not want that largc of an expansion. Hc stated thcrc would also not be a good way to move the kitchcn back there. Mr. Thornton stated they had spoken with their neighbors who had signcd a petition indicating they had no objection to this projcct. He understood there was one objcction that had comc in and thcy had not spoken to that pcrson. lIe indicated all of the neighbors he had spoken to had seen all of the documents and were in support of this project. Commissioner Thompson asked how many trees they would have to cut down for this . project. Mr. Thornton replicd therc were no trees that would need to be removed. Chair Sand notcd the back of his property was heavily wooded and askcd if thcy expanded out the back, would they have to remove trees. Mr. Thornton responded he was not sure, but he would be concerned about the root system of the oak trces. By Email, Zata Vickcrs: "1 live at 3470 Siems Ct., the fIrst housc on Siems Ct across Ardcn Place from 2510 Siems Ct. I don't expect to be able to attcnd the hearing on February 2, so am e-mailing opinion and comment to you. I am opposed to this request bccause this construction will altcr the character of the ncighborhood. I enjoy the park-like quality of Siems Ct. Many trees, lawns, and other plants providcd the lovely and peaceful character of this neighborhood. Houses, no mattcr how architccturally gorgeous, do not give thc same feeling. I am constantly rcminded of this from the vicw through my backyard windows that used to look out on an expanse of grass and trees and now look out on a very large concrete block and a baby-poop-yellow house. It is a constant reminder to many of us that the character of a neighborhood can so easily he blighted by someone elsc's pride and joy. That housc is within its lcgal limits. Howcver it has motivated mc to work against . similar situations, such as the variance requcst for 3510 Sicms, wherc we have sctback rcgulations specifically to prcvent such changcs in character. The Thornton's house already appears to bc much closer to thc road than the other houses on the same side of that street. Extending it cven closcr to thc road would furthcr