06-14-1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The third condition that creates hardship is the fact that the property is surrounded on three sides by water. The result is that even though the site is nearly one acre the area that falls within the 75’ to 250’ zone is only 14,345 square feet. In fact most of the existing site falls within the 0’-75’ zone. The proposed driveway was designed to fall almost entirely with the 75 to 250’ zone, but it still exceeds the allowable 25% hardcover due to the limitations created by being surrounded by water. Please note that we have reduced the overall hardcover on the site by 974 square feet, for a total reduction of 11%. A fourth set of conditions creates functional hardships. The current kitchen is grossly inadequate for a house of this stature and unsuitable for contemporary lifestyles. It’s current location however, is perfect being adjacent to both the dining room and the laundry/mudroom. The only wav the kitchen can be expanded is to fill in the southeast comer of the home. Please note that the existing second story already extends partially into this area by as much as 4 feet . The expansion of the kitchen to the southeast does not encroach any runner on siaeyard or lakeshore setbacks than the existing structure currently does, and therefore does not worsen existing conditions. No hardcover will be added since the area is currently a paved patio. The current office/librarv is inadequately sized in that it does not allow two professional people to work simultaneously in it. We propose to add a 10x12 area onto the e^lStihg office to rerrieqy tneir condition. This expansion does create new hardcover, but we are off setting this by removing a bay of the home which is currently a stairway that will not be required once the garage is reconfigured. We will also be removing an exterior ramp at the rear of the garage. In addition to the above we feel that the historic character of both the home and Femdale Road should be considered when ruling on this application. We do not want to tear the existing home down to build a new home. Our intent is to replace some of the previous phases of remodeling which were inconsistent with original character of the home with forms and features consistent with the original home. This home has contributed to the character of Lake Minnetonka for most of this century, and has the potential to maintain it’s historical presence into the next century if we are allowed to make these needed changes. Sincerely, Blake Bichanich BB/hks O:\PROJECTS\CURRENT\WOODIIOUSE\VARIANCE.doc V d Xil ■ • U V i ^ -^4 0