#22 - 8012 Hill Trail Variance - Laserfiche WebLink

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The stated purpose of the section is to protect, preserve and enhance the surface waters, and conserve environmental values. With this addition, we are proposing a 100% mitigation of all new hard surface water runoff with a complete French drain system that directs and contains roof runoff to rain garden containment ponds. Roof water on the front of the home will be directed away from the lake and will dissipate into the ground. Because of the current driveway’s slope downward toward the existing garage, we have experienced excess water flowage into the garage and at the lowest level of patio in front of the house. The new driveway will be graded in a much better way, to divert some of that flow away from the house and toward the grassy front lawn, to eliminate some of those flooding issues. Water going toward the lake will have an improved drainage feature of a French drain to a rain garden in addition to the 100 feet of slope down to the lake, which is being maintained in its natural, wild state that allows for natural percolation. e. Narrative regarding any pre-application discussions with staff, and an explanation of how the issue was addressed leading up to the application for a variance. Regarding our prior application, we reached out to Ben Prchal in 2022 via phone and email for purposes of obtaining information about the variance application process and clarifying the specific code section we are concerned with. Mr. Prchal answered our questions. Ultimately that variance request was granted. Regarding this renewed request, we the homeowners, as well as our builder, Sean Kane, have recently communicated with Ms. Sophia Jensen about re-applying and completing this application. f. Explain why the strict enforcement of this chapter would cause practical difficulties because of circumstances unique to the individual property under consideration.  Strict enforcement of the code denies us the use of a functional garage, creating inconvenience and parking issues. The tuck-under garage located on the west side of our current home was built in such a way that only compact cars may actually fit inside. We are a family of six, and our vehicles are not compact. They do not fit in the garage. For obvious reasons, this creates inconveniences in the winter months, when we must park outside. In addition, because our street is a strict “No Parking” zone, we have severe limitations with parking for our guests, as our own cars must occupy a significant portion of our driveway. To remedy this practical difficulty, we are proposing the addition of a normal-sized garage on the east side of our home. This cannot be done without increasing the footprint of our home to further exceed the 15% cap on impervious surface area.  Strict enforcement of the code denies us the ability to give each of our kids a bedroom, and would force us to eventually move. Our home has 3 bedrooms, including the master. We have 4 kids, ages 11, 8, 6 and 5. Currently, our 5- and 6-year-olds share the master bedroom with us. This arrangement will not work into the distant future. We are proposing the addition of more bedrooms below the new garage on the east side of our home, which we feel is the most efficient way to accomplish the addition of bedrooms to our home. g. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property and not created by the landowner. Our lot is long and narrow and the current house lacks (1) an adequate garage and (2) enough bedrooms. On a larger parcel that is wider, there would be more flexibility as to placement and size of the addition. Given the unique narrowness, lot size and distance of setbacks, we were somewhat limited as to the location and size of the addition. From front to back, the existing home is already tucked close to the bluff setback. As a result, (a) the driveway is already relatively long, using up a significant portion of the impervious surface area, and (b) the placement of any addition without violating the bluff and perimeter setbacks was a challenge. After exploring several ideas, our projected plan is the result of careful consideration of all setbacks and adherence thereto. The result is that the driveway, in addition to being long enough to reach