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4.0 BACKGROUND 4.1 Mr. and Mrs. Grimes own the residential property at 1741 Stanbridge Avenue. The property has a Comprehensive Plan designation of Low-Density Residential (LR) and a zoning classiiication of Single-Family Residence District (R-1). 42 The existing house on the property has a livable area of 912 square feet, and it has mold and insulation issues that will be addressed by the owners regardless of whether the variance request is approved. 4.3 The applicants purchased the property in large part because the rambler-style home is accommodating of the owner's health condition; the current variance application has been prompted by a proposed addition which is designed to allow more complete one- level living if/as this condition worsens. 5.0 STAFF COMMENT 5.1 Section 1004.O1A6 (Maximum Total Surface Area) limits impervious coverage on a residential property to 30% of the lot area. Based on aerial photography, existing impervious surface area appears to be about 2,900 square feet or about 26% of the lot area. 5.2 Local and regional storm water management systems are designed to accommodate run off from residential lots with a maximum of 30% coverage, and the existing flooding problems will be progressively exacerbated when such coverage exceeds 30% on more residential lots if mitigating measures are not implemented. 5.3 The proposed addition would double the footprint of the principal structure to about 1,800 square feet; total impervious coverage would be about 3,800 square feet, or 35% of the lot area. While this seems dramatic at first glance, it's worth noting that the current house is among the smallest in the city. 5.4 Other houses in the immediate vicinity range in size from 912 square feet to more than 1,900 square feet. And while most nearby lots appear to have less than 30% impervious coverage, one apparently legal, nonconforming property has about 37% coverage. 5.5 Section 1013 of the Code states: "Where there are practical difficulties or unusual hardships in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the provisions of this code, the Variance Board shall have the power, in a specific case and after notice and public hearings, to vary any such provision in harmony with the general purpose and intent thereof and may impose such additional conditions as it considers necessary so that the public health, safety, and general welfare may be secured and substantial justice done." PF07-016 RVBA 040407 � ^ Page 2 of 4