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To: Orono City Planning Commission <br />From Scon A Kara Hutton <br />IS3S Shadywood Road <br />Orono MN S539I <br />9S2.471.9549 <br />Re; Request for Hardship Variance to our Hardcover exposure <br />We wished to apply for a variance to our hardcover exposure This was brought to <br />our ancmion when we recmved notiflcation that we were in violation of the city <br />ordnance biding code, when we had a shed moved to our property. And although <br />this has not been the most timely response and inquiry we do wish to be good <br />citiaens of the city ofOrono. <br />Kara^ I have been blessed with a little girl however the road to c.*uld tewing does <br />possess Its hills and valleys. Kara was on bed rest for 2 months and now with Alana’s <br />arrival she has colic. This has been the reason for our tardiness with this request, <br />please do mt perceive this as a lack of desire to address this compli.i.tcc ‘ssue <br />Our desire to remodel our home and enhance the livability and value started when ue <br />explored our options to increase our single car garage info a 2 car garage. We had <br />purchased the property in 1992 and decided that financtallv we could accept the <br />additional cost associated with the remodeling projea. <br />We at first had hoped to have a 2 car detached garage in front of ou.* home it would <br />allow us to have increased our square footage in the home add a bedroom, remove <br />our driveway, and have additional storage in our garage. This was our initial request <br />to city planning and we were told that we would not be able to build a detached <br />garqge in front of the house. Our primary reason that we preferred this scenario was <br />that it accomplished several other goals. <br />Address the elevation issue. When we purchased the property, ue ur derestimaicd lh« <br />issues regarding our property elevation and slope. During winter me::ing and <br />summer showers we had water entering into the front of our garage a::d into our <br />living area in t..e basement. This was not disclosed in our purchase agreement but <br />liad to have been noticed. <br />Crwte a more natural landscape. Since our house is set back much fa.-,her from the <br />rotd, wc would eliminate the need for a long driveway. It would also allow* us to <br />landscape, with wild flowers gardens. <br />Sound Damping. The garage would also act as a sound barrier to the urafllc on <br />Shad^ood Road. Perhaps had we known; we may have requested a rariance to the <br />building code, but that is history. I might add though many citizens a.*e unaware of <br />how to properly approach local govenunenu regarding issues of this matter, this <br />includes myself. <br />Our second scenario was our current design of our home. A modified rambler with a <br />2 car tuck tinder garage. This scenario was much more costly and did not address all <br />if our storage issues. However we believe it to be aesthetically pleasing and very <br />."•.oo. 'Q y'• • \ *