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PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES DOCUMENTATION FORM <br />LA23-000022 <br />1. The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the Zoning Chapter. <br />Response: The carriage home's proposed use is for car storage, pool furniture in winter, bicycles, and a hobby/ home gym area. <br />2. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to his property not created by the landowner. <br />Response: The property and house have a number of unique characteristics which are beautiful but due to the elongated lot and the position of the house on the back of the lot, the available land within <br />current zoning regulations lacks sufficient space for an additional structure. The main house lacks sufficient storage space and has only a two -car garage on the main level and a tuck -under garage on the <br />lower level, which is very difficult to access in winter. <br />3. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. <br />Response: The proposed carriage house will be built within the character/harmony and quality of the existing home and surrounding neighborhood. This structure will not impede on our neighbor's site lines <br />due to its locality in a hard forest over 200 feet away. It is also 150' away from the road (Leaf Street) and site lines are blocked by mature trees. The carriage house will improve the look upon entering the <br />property by removing the old worn shed and replacing it with an appealing addition to the property. <br />4. Economic considerations alone do not constitute practical difficulties if reasonable use for the property exists under the terms of the Zoning Chapter. <br />Response: Economic considerations have not been a factor in the variance approval determination. <br />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 <br />defined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 1163.06, Subd. 2, when in harmony with this Chapter. <br />Response: The unique character, grade, and shape of the lot with the location of the house at the rear of the lot create inadequate space within current regulations. The house lacks adequate storage and <br />car space for a family of four car owners. <br />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 <br />person's land is located. <br />Response: The request complies with acceptable use of the property zone. <br />7. The Board or Council may permit as a variance the temporary use of a one -family dwelling as a two-family dwelling. <br />Response:N/A <br />S. The special conditions applying to the structure or land in question are peculiar to such property or immediately adjoining property. <br />Response: This is a 2 -acre lot which should lend to sufficient area for an additional structure but the positioning of the existing home on the very back of the lot limits us to a proposed build in the side/front <br />of the lot. Secondly, the lot is long and has a significant topography drop from south to north with no area for addition with a 2 -car garage skirt. <br />9. The conditions do not apply generally to other land or structures in the district in which said land is located. <br />Response: The property is unique in that it has no residential neighbors to the north, south, or east. This proposed structure should not impede or stick out in the unique semi -rural locality. Most of the 2 - <br />acre lots in the area are squarer in shape and have houses positioned frontward on the lot, whereas ours is very long and narrow and the house is positioned at the very rear of the lot. <br />10. The granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant. <br />Response: We believe this to be true due to the lack of storage and functional car garage space on the current property. <br />11. The granting of the proposed variance will not in any way impair health, safety, comfort, morals, or in any other respect be contrary to the intent of the Zoning Code. <br />Response: The proposed carriage house with not impede on-site lines or change the character of the neighborhood. It will be constructed under current building codes with quality products by licensed <br />professionals. In addition, it will be eliminating the existing shed which is falling into disrepair as it ages. The underside of the shed has become home to various wild animals from feral cats to foxes to <br />woodchucks which are health and safety concerns to our family. <br />12. The granting of such variance will not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant but is necessary to alleviate demonstrable difficulty. <br />Response: Sufficient garage space is essential in Minnesota for the protection of property and that space is lacking in our existing house. Our existing shed is not large enough for our storage needs and is a <br />health and safety concern. <br />