04-17-2017 Planning Commission Packet

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FILE#17-3927 17 Apr 2017 Page 4 of 5 southern end of the channel are conditions unique to the property and the immediately adjacent properties. 10. The granting of the application is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant. The home cannot be expanded in any way within the setback without variances; the applicant states that the variance is necessary. 11. The granting of the proposed variance will not in any way impair health, safety, comfort or morals, or in any other respect be contrary to the intent of this chapter. Granting the requested variances will not adversely impact health, safety, comfort,or morals; nor will it be contrary to the intent of the Code. 12. The granting of such variance will not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but is necessary to alleviate demonstrable difficulty. The topography, the channel, and location of the adjacent home to the north create practical difficulties affecting the Property; the variances are necessary and not merely serve as a convenience to the owners. The Commission may recommend or Council may impose conditions in granting of variances. Any conditions imposed must be directly related to and must bear a rough proportionality to the impact created by the variance. No variance shall be granted or changed beyond the use permitted in this chapter in the district where such land is located. Septic System Status The property is served by City sewer. Practical Difficulties Statement Applicant has completed the Practical Difficulties Documentation Form attached as Exhibit B,and should be asked for additional testimony regarding the application. Practical Difficulties Analysis The property fronts on the long channel on the north end of Forest Lake and is disconnected from the lake proper. The configuration of the property along the channel creates a unique situation regarding the view. Most of the homes are situated primarily toward the channel. The neighboring home to the north at 815 Forest Arms Lane is set back further(closer to the road)on their property than the applicants' home. 815 has little to no direct lake views over the applicants' property;their home is oriented to the west. The neighbor to the south at 835 Forest Arms Lane faces southwest toward the channel. The properties along the lake side of Forest Arms Lane have deep lake yards and the homes are situated nearer to the street than the lake. The depth of these lake yards combined with the curvature of the channel shoreline result in difficulty for the property owners in identifying a conforming location for structural improvements to their properties. Additionally, there are mature trees separating the applicants' property from their neighbors which will likely screen most of the views of the addition. Engineer Comments There is no grading or site changes proposed;the City Engineer has not reviewed the plans.