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PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES DOCUMENTATION FORM <br />LA22-000070 <br />1. The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not <br />permitted by the Zoning Chapter. <br />Response: The property owner will utilize the property as intended in the Zoning Chapter for <br />residential use, granting the variance request will not change the usage. <br />2. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to his property not created <br />by the landowner. <br />Response: The current homeowner was not the builder of the deck. The situation arose when the <br />surveyor misread the house plans to have 3' stairs instead of 4' stairs in the original application <br />requesting the 19' setback. The footings were poured and inspected by MSPECT (Sept 2021) which <br />also deviated a few additional inches - the final build now requires a 17.3' setback. The landowner did <br />not create the situation, only inherited it with the purchase of the home. <br />3. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. <br />Response: The original builders went to great lengths to design and build a very narrow home while <br />also matching the character of the rural homes in the area, both neighboring houses and those along <br />Watertown Road. <br />4. Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties if reasonable use <br />for the property exists under the terms of the Zoning Chapter. <br />Response: If the variance is not granted, the stairs on the house will have to be moved to the back <br />of the deck. <br />5. Practical difficulties 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 Minnesota Statutes, Section 1167.06, Subd. 2, when in harmony with this <br />Chapter. <br />Response: This very narrow, non -conforming lot (73 feet wide) was such that setbacks on the east <br />and west side would've overlapped, allowing for no residence at all. The original builders put great <br />effort into designing and building a narrow home (28 feet) that was both livable and matched the <br />character of the area. <br />6. The Board of Appeals and Adjustments or the Council may not permit as a variance any <br />use that is not allowed under this Chapter for property in the zone where the affected <br />person's land is located. <br />Response: The variance request is not for usage that is not allowed for this zone/property. <br />7. The Board or Council may permit as a variance the temporary use of a one -family <br />dwelling as a two-family dwelling. <br />Response: NA <br />