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situation, noting that 29 Demont was completely vacant, whereas his Arcade <br />property has at all times been at least 50% occupied. <br />Staff would suggest that in the Demont case, the property was vacant for more than one <br />year, whereas in the current Arcade case, the property operated as a single family <br />home for more than one year. However, the appellant's point is a correct observation, <br />and distinguishes it from the City's determination in the Demont decision. <br />4. The appellant argues that the structure does not lend itself to efficient conversion <br />or use as a single family home due to architecture and floor plan/layout. <br />The arguments presented in this regard relate to practicalities, primarily to costs and <br />design. Some of the suggestions would not typically be required by the City in the event <br />of a conversion, such as removal of one or the other garages and driveways, or of one <br />of the kitchens. Instead, conversion to single family unit would need to meet only those <br />requirements as defined (see above). It would appear that the primary required change <br />would be to open up the area between the two units, with some of the conditions <br />becoming legal-nonconformities (e.g. two garages or two curb cuts). It is acknowledged <br />that this minimal change may yield an oddly designed single dwelling, and that this <br />issue has practical considerations for the owner. <br />5. The appellant notes that the potential income generated from the rental unit is an <br />important component of his personal finances. <br />While obviously important to the appellant, such circumstances are unfortunately not <br />considered issues on which the City can make land use decisions. <br />Options for the Board of Adjustments and Appeals. <br />The appeals process is regulated by Section 922-A of the zoning ordinance, and is <br />intended to "... provide for an appeal process when it is alleged that there is an error in <br />any order, requirement, decision or determination by an administrative officer in the <br />enforcement of this Ordinance." The ordinance does not specify the categories or types <br />of conditions necessary for the Board to make its determination. The ordinance does <br />require that approval requires a 2/3 affirmative vote (basically, four votes of the Board). <br />As such, the Board of Adjustment and Appeals will need to make a finding that an error <br />was made, and identify the conditions which support the finding. The options are as <br />follows: <br />A. Approve the appellant's request, overturning the staff decision that the unit <br />vacancy at 2955 Arcade (one of two units in a non -conforming structure) <br />constitutes a discontinuation of the two-family use of the property. This <br />determination would be made based on the following factors: <br />1. Only one of the units was empty for more than one year. <br />2. The property was physically maintained during the period as two separate <br />dwelling units, and the applicant undertook no efforts, nor showed any <br />intention, to convert the structure to a single family structure. (Staff notes that <br />the appellant has never actually applied for a rental license, though he had <br />been made aware of this requirement.) <br />