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#17-3904 <br />21 Feb 2017 <br />Page 4 of 7 <br />b. There are circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner; <br />The location of the structures on the property and configuration of the lot were <br />not created by the property owner; and <br />c. The variance will not alter the essential character of the locality. The visual <br />impacts resulting from the stoop encroachment into the 75 -foot setback, and <br />the cabin's location within the average lakeshore setback will not alter the <br />character of the neighborhood. Rather, the home will not impact views from <br />the lake nor will it appear to be more visually obtrusive than the existing cabin. <br />Additionally City Code 78-123 provides additional parameters within which a variance may be <br />granted as follows: <br />4. Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties. Economic <br />considerations have not been a factor in the variance approval determination. <br />5. Practical difficulties also include but are not limited to inadequate access to direct sunlight <br />for solar energy systems. Variances shall be granted for earth -sheltered construction as <br />defined in Minn. Stat. § 216C.06, subd. 2, when in harmony with Orono City Code Chapter <br />78. This condition is not applicable. <br />6. The board or the council may not permit as a variance any use that is not permitted under <br />Orono City Code Chapter 78 for property in the zone where the affected person's land is <br />located. This condition is not applicable, as the use for a guest cabin/guest house is an <br />allowed conditional use in the LR -1A District. <br />7. The board or council may permit as a variance the temporary use of a one -family dwelling <br />as a two-family dwelling. This condition is not applicable. <br />8. The special conditions applying to the structure or land in question are peculiar to such <br />property or immediately adjoining property. The Property's location and orientation as <br />a peninsula, functionally an island, is unique. Due to the nature of the Property on the <br />point, the application of the setback requirements causes a practical difficulty. <br />9. The conditions do not apply generally to other land or structures in the district in which <br />the land is located. The Property's location on the lake is unique and applies primarily <br />to this Property; the application of the setback requirements combined with the <br />challenges of the flood hazard area restrict the ability to improve the Property without <br />a variance, creating a practical difficulty. <br />10. The granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a <br />substantial property right of the applicant. The guest cabin can be reconstructed in kind. <br />However, the minimal relief from the ordinance allows for functional improvements to <br />the footprint, retaining the character of the lot and are consistent with the existing <br />cabin. Relating to the average lakeshore setback, this condition is met. <br />11. The granting of the proposed variance will not in any way impair health, safety, comfort <br />or morals, or in any other respect be contrary to the intent of this chapter. The <br />proposed project will not impair the health, safety, comfort, or morals of the public. <br />12. The granting of such variance will not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but <br />is necessary to alleviate demonstrable difficulty. Granting of the variances will resolve <br />and alleviate a demonstrated practical difficulty caused by the application of the lake <br />setback and average lakeshore setbacks applied to the Property. <br />The Commission may recommend or Council may impose conditions in granting of variances. <br />Any conditions imposed must be directly related to and must bear a rough proportionality to the <br />impact created by the variance. No variance shall be granted or changed beyond the use <br />permitted in this chapter in the district where such land is located. <br />