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� � conditions allowed by the official controls, the plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner, and the variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. Economic considerations alone shall not constitute an undue hardship if reasonable use for the property exists under the terms of the ordinance ... The board or governing body as the case may be may impose conditions in the granting of variances to insure compliance and to protect ". 5.7 The propertv in question cannot be put to a reasonable use if used under conditions allowed bv the official controls: The applicants' home was built in 1947; like other residential development of similar age, the improvements on this property include garage space for one car, and the structure is situated on the lot such that expansion of the existing garage to accommodate more vehicles is not possible within the constraints of the Code. Furthermore, the proposed garage expansion would create a two-car garage of modest dimensions, so the proposed encroachment represents about the minimum for such an improvement. While the northern portion of the driveway does not access the garage directly, it does satisfy the requirement that driveways accessing County roads have a place where vehicles can turn around on the property. If the northern portion of the driveway were removed, the impervious surface area — with the garage addition — could possibly be reduced to the 30% limit, but it would also remove the necessary turn-around area. Preserving and/or repaving a suitably sized vehicle turn-around area would again necessitate a variance for excess impervious coverage; because excess impervious coverage appears to be unavoidable, it seems more reasonable to allow the proposed improvement while maintaining the existing driveway. The Planning Division has determined that the property can be put to a reasonable use under the official controls if the VARIANCE request is approved. 5.8 The pli�ht of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner: The house and horseshoe driveway were constructed by previous owners and before the City Code was amended to limit such impervious surfaces, resulting in the pre-existing, non-conforming condition. The Planning Division has determined that the plight of the landowner is due to unique circumstances not created by the landowner. 5.9 The variance, if �ranted, will not alter the essential character of the localitv: The proposed garage expansion will have a minimal visual impact, if any, on the surrounding area. The Planning Division has determined that the allowance of the requested VARIANCES will not alter the essential character of the locality, nor adversely affect the public health, safety, or general welfare of the city or adjacent properties. 6.0 STAFF RECOMMENDATION 6.1 Based on the comments and findings outlined in Section 5 of this report, the Planning Division recommends APPROVAL of the Dubbeldee's request for a 2-foot side yard setback VARIANCE set forth in § 1012.01 B(Supplemental Lot Requirements) and a 600-square-foot VARIANCE from the impervious surface area limit, established in § 1004.O1A6 (Maximum Total Surface Area) of the City Code, to allow the construction PF07-035 RVBA 071107 Page 3 of 4