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December 31, 2007 Meagan Beekman Planner I City of Arden Hills 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 Dear Meagan: SENT VIA EMAIL I have studied the option of correcting the code issue involving the door height with my garage by moving the new garage to the rear of the home on the east side of the property and feel for the following reasons a variance is needed and the new structure is best located on the south side the home. The lot is highly unique in the City of Arden Hills due to it close proximity to Lake Johana and thus has three front yard setbacks. If the lot was not unique, and there were two side yard setbacks, no variance would be required and the garage would conform to the Zoning Code. 1. Architecturally the proposed plan keeps with the feel of surrounding properties. 2. The proposed plan would allow the oak tree to be saved, whereas any other alternative would require it to be removed. 3. Placing a new 2 story garage off the back of the house eliminates most of the usable back yard and creates a visual barrier. 4. The proposed project is far less visible from Skiles Lane and from neighbors than a garage off the back of the house would be. 5. The portion of the garage that encroaches beyond the current setback of the house is below grade and not visible from the front of the home. 6. Placing the garage off the back of the house would destroy the views from the main common rooms of the home, reducing the property values for the property, and possibly those of the surrounding neighborhood. 7. Neighborhood precedence to encroach in the 40' setback has been established at addresses 1480 Skiles Lane & 1485 Arden Place, 1479 Arden Place all being with in the 40' set back from the property line with above grade structure. Thank you for your time in considering our request. I hope we have presented you a strong enough argument to the permit this project with the requested variance. beg 1455 Skiles Lane, Arden Hills MN 55112