02-16-2021 Planning Commission Packet

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Page 2 of 8 January 20, 2021 The addition of a screen porch will not change the essential character of the neighborhood. As designed and located, the addition creates the least impact to other property owners' lines of sight. a. The adjacent property owner to the west has a double car garage near the shared property line.The property owner's home angles toward the west away from the subject property. These two aspects of the west property together with the subject property garage location effectively blocks the west neighbor's interior and exterior sight lines of the addition. b. The adjacent property owner to the north is the Wayzata Country Club (WCC). A 135 ft deep tree grove mostly on the WWC property creates a significant green screen barrier to the addition. Furthermore,the screen porch finished floor elevation is 978.27. The elevation at the back-property line is 983.0 and 990 before emerging on to WCC's golf cart path on the other side of tree grove. Therefore,the screen porch finished floor elevation as proposed will be 11.4 feet below the cart path elevation. c. The adjacent property owner to the east has a double car garage near the shared property line. The east property owner's home angles toward the east away from the subject property. These two aspects of the east property together with the subject property's tree grove, and elevation change of 7 feet functionally blocks the east neighbor's interior and exterior sign lines of the addition. d. The single-family home#128 located to the south across Chevy Chase Drive from the subject property does not have any interior window or yard sight lines of the addition. e. The undeveloped lot#132 located to the southeast across from the subject property is owned by the City of Orono as such is not negatively impacted. 4. "Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties if reasonable use for the property exists under the terms of the Zoning Chapter." It is possible but not economically feasible to: a. move the entire home 12.2' toward the front setback line, or b. change the angle of the home on the lot to permit the required back yard setback, or c. change the side of the home on which the garage is placed. 5. "Practical difficulties include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems. Variances shall be granted for earth sheltered construction as defined in Minnesota §216C.06, subd. 2, when in harmony with this Chapter." Not applicable to this application. 6. "The Board of Appeals and Adjustments or the Council may not permit as a variance any use that is not allowed under this Chapter for property in the zone where the affected person's land is located." The Nelson's use of the property as a single-family home is consistent with R1-A permitted uses.