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i • Phelps Mudroom Variance Application Attachment 385 Tumham Road, Maple Plain, MN 55359 P.I.D.: 31-118-2331 000638 Our house was buiit prior to 1864 and it straddles the setback line that was established later by the Orono ‘Front Setback Zoning Code requirement*. The house truly needs a mudroom. We would like to add a mudroom on the East side of our kitchea This is the only logical place for it as it is close to the driveway and adjacent to the kitchen and family room. It would allow us to enter the house without having to carry groceriv^ for a long distance and without having to bring dirt into our guestroom, family room, or kitchen. It does not make sense to attach a mudroom in a location that is far away from the driveway - especially with our winters. Not only is it inconvenient, but it can also be unsafe. Last winter, during construction of an addition, our family’s only practical * entrance to the house was through a side door near the northwest comer of the house. To get there we had to walk on a path that remained in the house ’s shadow for much of the winter. As a result the path was quite icy. Unfortunately a family member fell and dislocated a shoulder. The bulk of the homes in the Tumham Road neighboihood were built prior to the establishment of the Front Setback requirement. I believe that the 100 foot Front Setback requirement helps maintain a rural feel in those portions of Orono that are open and rural. However, the requirement is restrictive in our old neighborhood where many of the homes are very close to the road. As a matter of fact, it appears to me that the two houses closest to ours, both right across the street from us, are located completely between the street and the front setback linel Respectfully, Charles E. and Jennifer C. Phelps O o (952) 210-4489 (work)09/18/2002