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PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES DOCUMENTATION FORM <br />LA20-000058 <br />1. The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the Zoning Chapter. <br />Response: By this variance request, we are asking to be allowed to provide a minimally normal access functionality to our <br />property. With one of our primary considerations being the safety of those attempting to have vehicle access to our property• <br />To accomplish this we are asking for the addition of a hardcover area that would reasonably accommodate a turnaround <br />option for vehicles exiting the property. The reason being that the current minimum standard driveway does not provide for <br />this and poses multiple safety and practicality issues. One of those issues is that of requiring vehicles to exit in reverse back <br />up mode, going up a steep curved, narrow driveway directly onto the very busy Casco Point Road. Further oomplicating the <br />exit is at the point of road entry there are blind spots created by the curvature of the road and adjacent property trees and <br />foliage. There are additional negative impacts on the property created by the lack of a turnaround space, which are identified in this application. <br />2. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to his property not created by the landowner. <br />Response: The 100 year old lot is narrow, long and fairly steep with the house set in the lower flat valley point of the lot <br />The main road is accessible via a long narrow, curved driveway. The driveway is such in order to oomply with the current <br />hardoover requirements. The driveway utilizes almost as much hardcover as the house as noted in the hardcover calculation <br />worksheet. The historical hardcover requirements were based on a tiered system which included criteria that took into account <br />the length of the lot. This obsolete system was designed to accommodate and thus prevent the hardoover hardship that we <br />have incurred by such a lot as ours. The functionality of the lot is severely compromised under the current hardcover requirements, as a major portion of all the hardcover must be used solely for driveway access to the main road due to the <br />length of the lot. <br />3. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality. <br />Response: If granted, the variance request would resolve the issues identified but would not change in any way the <br />character of the locality. <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: Not applicable <br />5. Practical difficulties include, but are not limited to, inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy <br />;;ystems. Variances shall be granted for earth-sheltered construction as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Section <br />116J.06, Subd. 2, when in harmony with this Chapter. <br />Response: The lack of a hardcover turnaround presents another burden in terms of snow removal. The most effective and <br />available means for snow removal for a driveway the length of ours is to use a plow service. However, we have been unable <br />to find a plow service that could/would do the work because of the maneuverability constraints on the driveway. We are <br />retirement age, and given the long length of the driveway leaves us in a quandary as to how we would be able to age in place <br />in our home or be able to exit our home in the winter months without the requested turnaround area. We also have concern, <br />that should we or anyone in our home, require an emergency response, would those responders be able to quickly and <br />expeditiously exit the property. <br />The maneuverability_ difficulties incurred by those who use the driveway, has also caused tree loss and landscape damage as <br />seen m �e pictures included in this application. The feedback from visitors who have experienced the many hardships related to our driveway say they do not to come back or use it again. <br />6. The Board of A_ppeals 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 person's land is located. <br />133