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The platted right-of-way was dedicated to the public use forever on the plat of Morse Island Park in <br />1887, but is not a developed road/street. The city does not intend for it to become a developed street. <br />It is more like a trail through the woods and provides access for emergency or service vehicles and <br />utilities to Big Island (Exhibit G-1 ). The storage shed is located on a high spot on the property. <br />(Exhibit G-3). The surrounding land includes wetlands and slopes to low areas. The area <br />surrounding the shed is wooded, and the existing shed location is appropriate in terms of topography <br />and trees, save for the lot line encroachments. Merely moving the shed 6' back will result in the need <br />to remove two mature trees. A total relocation of the shed on the site to meet setbacks would <br />potentially do damage to the site due to the probable soil and vegetation disruption that would be <br />caused by the heavy equipment to move it. Structural and hardcover coverage are not an issue with <br />this application. <br />Staff views this building encroachment as extremely minor as compared to the 0-75' violation on the <br />opposite side of the island a year or so ago. That applicant was required to move a newly constructed <br />cabin out of the 0-75' zone. The visual and perceived impacts of the Thorkelson request, by <br />contrast, are minimal. <br />Statement of Hardship: <br />The applicants have included their statement of hardship in Exhibit B. The applicants should also <br />be asked for their testimony regarding this issue. <br />Issues for Consideration: <br />1. Will the location of the shed impact neighboring properties or use of the right-of-way? <br />2. Is moving the shed worth cutting down mature trees? <br />3. Is damage to the property, surrounding property and access location to the island that large <br />equipment would cause that would be needed to move the shed a concern versus leaving the <br />shed in its current location? <br />4. The topography of the property limits where the shed can be located. <br />5. The platted right-of-way is not and is not intended to become a developed street within Big <br />Island. <br />6. Does Planning Commission have any additional issues or concerns with this proposal? <br />#2627 Willmar Thorkelson <br />440 Big Island <br />Variance <br />10/16/2000 <br />Page2