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04/11/2000 12:30 6516530183 PAGE 03 We have spent a great deal of time with the planning commission and they to addressed concerns and came to the unanimous decision that the variance request and the hardships we have presented were valid. They did not take this request lightly and asked that we address many issues which we fully supported. We have met with city officials and agreed to all of their requests and have worked diligently to help in anyway possible including purchasing a 5 or 6 foot strip of land from the water department, but that does not appear likely to happen. I would also like to address the three points listed by the City ordinance as considered valid reason for granting a variance request, items 1, 2 and 3 section 1010.010 a. This is a highly unique circumstance in that the adjacent property affecting the need for the variance is owned by the water department. NER has agreed to purchase a 5 or 6 foot strip of land but at this time it appears that may not be possible. In addition, this is an unusual lot and has remained undeveloped. Depriving Northeast Residence from obtaining a variance would make it impossible for us to make use of' the land b. Granting the variance will not in any way jeopardize the public health or welfare. In fact, this will be the only program of its kind licensed in the entire country. Without it, many families will not have the respite -care services they so desperately need. This new property will also enhance the looks of the neighborhood c. The variance is needed because the property lot narrows from 62'.0" width within setbacks along the northwest property line and tapers all the way down to 30'.0" width within setbacks along the southeast end. If the lot were straight, we would not need a variance at all. In summary, please let me emphasize that we really did not realize that there was a 15 foot setback. (We thought it was 10 feet. Had we known, we would not have been able to purchase the land because the design of the home is based on numerous factors. Each room location and size has a very specific purpose for being placed and designed as it has been.) We understand that the other properties adjacent to ours have a smaller setback (as little as 2 feet) because they were already in existence prior to the new ordinances, but clearly the construction of this site will only enhance the neighborhood and conform with existing properties. While we fully respect the councils right to make decisions based on what is in the best interest of the entire community, we also believe that exceptions to rules sometimes do apply in that same interest. It is our opinion that indeed, that is why a variance is sometimes an option and in this case, should be gtamed. Validation for this variance is easy to justify. If for no other reason than those mentioned above, but also because Northeast Residence will bring to Little Canada a proven successful respite -care program that helps keep families with children with disabilities together for as long as possible. Providing respite -care helps all family members stay emotionally healthy and enables them to be better able to be contributing members of society. Respite also helps prepare PAGE 11