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11. Vehicular approaches to the property, where present, will not create traffic congestion or interfere with traffic on <br />surrounding public thoroughfares. The proposed use should not create traffic congestion or interfere with traffic on <br />surrounding public thoroughfares. <br />12. The proposed use will not result in the destruction, loss, or damage of a natural or scenic feature of major <br />importance. The proposed use should not impact natural or scenic features. The proposed work should not impact the <br />existing wetland. <br />RECOMMENDED VARIANCE FINDINGS <br />An applicant must establish and demonstrate compliance with the variance criteria set forth in Lake Elmo City Code <br />Section 105.12.320 before the City may grant an exception or modification to city code requirements. These criteria are <br />listed below, along with comments from Staff about the applicability of these criteria to the applicant’s request. <br />1)Practical Difficulties. A variance to the provision of this chapter may be granted by the Board of Adjustment upon <br />the application by the owner of the affected property where the strict enforcement of this chapter would cause <br />practical difficulties because of circumstances unique to the individual property under consideration and then only <br />when it is demonstrated that such actions will be in keeping with the spirit and intent of this chapter. Definition of <br />practical difficulties - “Practical difficulties” as used in connection with the granting of a variance, means that the <br />property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by an official control. <br />FINDINGS: Strict enforcement of the code would not allow for reasonable expansion of the medical facility/office on <br />the property. The recent zoning change on the adjacent western property from commercial to residential introduced <br />new setback requirements, substantially reducing the buildable area on the site. The existing layout, wetland, and <br />road access present further constraints, limiting potential locations for expanding. <br />2)Unique Circumstances. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by <br />the landowner. <br />FINDINGS: The unique site conditions of the neighboring property’s recent zoning change and associated setback <br />requirements, the wetland, and the existing layout were not created by the landowner. The current owner purchased <br />the property in 2025. The original development intent identified the open grass area on the south side of the building <br />as the designated location for future expansion. The proposed site plan places the addition within the previously <br />reserved area, avoiding disturbance of wetlands and maintaining landscaping. <br />3)Character of Locality. The proposed variance will not alter the essential character of the locality in which the <br />property in question is located. <br />FINDINGS: The proposed variance should not alter the character of the locality. The scale and use of the proposed <br />expansion is consistent with nearby properties. The surrounding properties consist of a mix of business park and high- <br />density residential. The residential apartments to the West of the property will be buffered by the existing wetland <br />and stormwater pond. <br />4)Adjacent Properties and Traffic. The proposed variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to <br />properties adjacent to the property in question or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets or <br />substantially diminish or impair property values within the neighborhood.