04-20-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 19,1997 Planning Commissioners City of Orono 2750 Kelly Parkway Orono, MN. 55356 Re: Variance Application Dear Planning Commissioners, ^ ^ '¥ From the information we have presented you can see that our desire is to add a screened porch and small 8’x8 ’ deck onto our existing residence. Additionally, we want to replace our existing old rotted deck with a new one of approximately the same dimensions, although we have added a stairway on either end. This letter is to expand on our intent and address what we feel is our hardship. Our desire is create additional exterior space to enjoy our beautiful lot and view of Lake Minnetonka. We have minimized the size and scope of our project in order to respect our natiu'al environment which we sincerely value. Additionally we imderstand that tlie existing realities of our home as it relates to the neighbors line of sight, city code setback and hardcover surface issues are not affected by our minimal scope of work. However we understand that there is a “ bluff “ area that exists that approximately 80% of our whole house lies within. Please understand that we certainly understand the cities desire to minimize lake shore construction as well as being responsible for the environment which we all share. However it seems like the “ bluff “ code, as it relates to our property, creates a severe hardship for us in that virtually no exterior construction or additions can be added unless they are created in the front of oiu* home which fronts HWY 151. It is important to realize that the front of our home houses all the bedroom areas, and the living spaces are all on the lakeside , which is certainly consistant for lakeside homes. I hope you would agree that it would not make logical sense to construct a “ legal “ screened porch and deck on the front side of our home , only to have to walk through the bedrooms to enter it and then relax and enjoy the views and traffic ofHWY 151.