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<br />To: Planning Commission <br /> <br />From: John A. Berkner, Owner & Resident <br />2476 Aglen Street <br />Roseville, MN 55113 <br /> <br />Re: Additional Commentary to Planning File 3536 <br /> <br />I submitted a synopsis of why a variance should not be granted for proposed Westerly <br />expansion of 998 Brooks. The majority of the issues are reasons by which I believe <br />denial should occur: first by comparing them to 'Black Letter Law' as quoted by staff in <br />their report (as well as here-under listed in bold); and secondly, by applying Law of <br />Equity (defined in ordinance below as "substantial justice". Further, material State Law <br />governing this matter was also presented: <br /> <br />"That it is an improper action as well as an improper application of law and <br />legal powers to damage one person while enhancing or enriching another via <br />waiving sections specifying property setbacks. Setbacks were instituted and <br />established into code as a safeguard of property values and uses for people such as <br />mvself." <br />Here-in attached as exhibit to indicate the loss of value which would occur is this <br />variance is allowed is a statement by a professional in the Real Estate Market. It is a <br />statement by a prominent Realtor quite familiar with 2476 Aglen; She was the owner and <br />resident of that property for 15 years before selling it to new owners three separate <br />occasions. [She also was denied a variance to alter that home because of the impacts <br />to 998 Brooks.] <br />The last sale, to me, occurred 10 years ago. Its location, view (including of contiguous <br />neighbors), seclusion, and the suitability of its office as a base for my business had major <br />impact on my decision to purchase and the price I paid <br />She has come to the same conclusions as I have: <br />1. The market value of 2476 Aglen will decrease due the diminishments of both <br />privacy and the view of Central Park and Bennett Lake. A property appraiser has <br />verbally given the same opinion; and, <br />2. Privacy will be diminished for both the owner of2476 Aglen and 998 Brooks to <br />an extent that will impact the 'peaceful enjoyment' of both properties. <br />She noted that with the extensive hours of time that I spend gazing over the Park and <br />the Lake such an addition would not only eliminate my view, but would result in "eye- <br />to eye contact" between myself and the other homeowner (or her guests). This would <br />create a major breach of privacy and enjoyment, and would likely result in a future <br />variance request to alter fencing --(since 'enclosure limitations' have supposedly <br />been attached by staff. (But aren't these enclosure limitations akin to the setback <br />limitations now in existence??) <br /> <br />In the Variance review submitted by the Community Development Staff, section 5.5 <br />listed in bold the governing Roseville Ordinance pertaining to the granting of a variance: <br />