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ACT 2 5 2 C October 22, 2004 City of Falcon Heights 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue Falcon Heights, MN 55113 RE: Zoning variance application, 2135 Hoyt Avenue West, Falcon Heights, MN 55108 I am writing this letter to provide information in support of my application for a zoning variance for the purpose ofbuilding athree-season sunroom addition on the north side of my residence at 2135 Hoyt Avenue West, Falcon Heights, MN 55108. The proposed 14' by 16' wood framed sunroom addition will be partially within the 30' setback zone at the back of the lot, extending approximately 9' into the 30' setback zone, to within 21' of the back lot line. Lots in this section of the University Grove back onto awedge-shaped commons area. As a result, distances between houses, viewed back-to-back, are actually larger than in • most sections of Falcon Heights, creating an open and expansive feeling in the shared area behind these residences. Many houses on my block have their primary living spaces facing to the rear because of this amenity. However, because of the relatively small lot size vis-a-vis the house sizes in this block, a number of other residential structures extend into the setback zone. These include 2147 Hoyt Ave. W, which is built to within 21 feet of the back lot line; 2159 Hoyt Ave. W., which is built to within 23.7 feet of the back lot line; and 2165 Hoyt Ave. W., which is built to within 20.5 feet of the back lot line. The proposed sunroom addition will therefore not be out of character with the footprints of other structures on the block, and it will not encroach on the open common areas which give this block its character. The sunroom addition has been designed to blend in architecturally with the style of the existing residential structure. Areas not incorporating windows will be sheathed with the same cedaz siding as the rest of the house, and the roof will be shingled to match the ex- isting house roof. The roof pitch will match that of the house. Because of severe problems with mosquitoes during the spring and summer months, it is nearly impossible to use the yard of this residence. (Several neighbors have screened in their back decks or use screened porches because of this.) The proposed sunroom will make it possible to enjoy one of the major amenities of the neighborhood, while at the. same time improving the appearance of the residence to which it is added. In addition to the inconvenience of mosquitoes, there is now the health hazard of West Nile Virus which they carry, making the sunroom, with extensive screening, even more of a neces-