04-17-1995 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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> r-*-- ^ i'y <• • . >N.c^V TO: CITY OF ORONO SUBJECT: VARIANCE REQUEST \ r-' MAUREEN AND I MOVED INTO OUR HOME IN MAY OF 1988. THE HOUSE WAS PERFECT FOR OUR NEEDS AT THAT TIME. WE NOW HAVE TWO CHILDREN AGED 1 1/2 AND 3 1/2. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE ENCLOSED LAYOUT OF THE EXISTING SPACE, THE BATHROOM AND CHILDRENS BEDROOM IS A PROBLEM AND WILL GET WORSE WITH TIME. WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS AT THIS POINT - ADD ON OR MOVE TO A LARGER HOUSE. IN TALKING WITH MIKE GAFFRON IN PLANNING AND ZONING REGARDING THE FIRST OPTION, BUILDING A SECOND LEVEL ON THE EXISTING STRUCTURE AND NOT INCREASE THE GROUND COVER SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY REASONABLE OPTION BUT WOULD REQUIRE A VARIANCE. ADDING ZO THE SIDES OR REAR OR MOVING THE HOUSE BACK WOULD INCREASE OR MAINTAIN THE CURRENT HARDCOVER. EACH OF THE TWO HOMES ON EITHER SIDE OF OURS ARE TWO STORY HOMES AND ARE LOCATED SUCH THAT AN ADDITION ON OUR HOUSE SHOULD NOT OBSTRUCT THEIR VIEWS OF THE LAKE. IN TALKING WITH THEM THEY ARE Sl''»PORTIVE IN THIS PROJECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT A HARDSHIP MUST BE DEMONSTRATED AND THAT IT MUST BE UNIQUE TO THE LAND. THE HARDSHIP HERE IS THE 50 FOOT WIDE LAKESHORE LOT. THE VAST MAJORITY OF LOTS ON FAGERNESS POINT AND ELSEWHERE SEEM LARGER THAN 50 FEET AND KEEP GETTING LARGER. WHEN BOATING I NOTICE THAT THERE ARE VERY FEW HOUSES THAT ARE ONLY 20 FEET WIDE! MEETING THE LOT, LAKESHORE AND HARDCOVER REQUIREMENTS IS CHALLENGING AND IN LOOKING AT THE SURVEY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS SEEM TO HAVE CONFORMED. THIS IS A UNIQUE SITUATION THAT STRICT ENFORCEMENT WOULD CAUSE AN UNDUE HARDSHIP, AND THE END RESULT WOULD BE NOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE NEIGHBORS OR EXISTING LAND USE. OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS WE HAVE BECOME ATTATCHED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THIS PROPERTY. WE LOVE THE WEST FACING VIEWS AND HARD SAND BEACH THAT HAS NO WEEDS. WE LIKE LIVING ON A QUIET DEAD END STREET AND HAVING A NICE PARK AND SKATING RINK SO CLOSE. WE DO NOT HAVE A LONG DRIVE TO WORK AND OUR NEIGHBORS ARE FANTASTIC PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THE AREA. WE WOULD HAVE AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO DUPLICATE THIS ENVIRONMENT ELSEWHERE ON LAKE MINNETONKA REGARDLESS OF THE COST. IT IS TRUELY A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY AND HOPE TO STAY FOR A LONG TIME. SINCERELY, TOM, MAUREEN, MATTHEW AND KELLY