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. Planning Case No. 457-96: 8480 Pleasant View Drive September 18, 1996 Page 3 but served a sliding glass door on the main level of the house. The house is split level in design and therefore the door is approximately 10-12 feet above grade. We are assuming that the property owner desires to use the existing design of the house and the location of the sliding glass door in deciding where to place the three-season porch. The applicant would need to confirm this point. The Zoning Code allows decks off the main level of the house to encroach to within two feet of the property line (Section 1104.01 Subd 5.c.) Three season porches, which are enclosed structures, are not given this same allowance and must comply with the building setback. So the change proposed by the applicant from a deck to a three season porch means different rules that apply. The three season porch would be 10 feet from the rear property line, with the bottom edge 10-12 feet above grade. The structure will be somewhat imposing. The neighbor's house is on the opposite side of the lot from where the porch would be located. The porch will be facing the open side yard on the abutting property. There are trees on this property, although they are not dense. . The applicant's property has a sizeable side yard on the east side of the house. If a new sliding glass door were cut in the east wall of the house, the three season porch could be located on the east end of the house. It could follow the existing setback of the house at 22 feet, and there is sufficient room to met the side setback of 10 feet. The trees between this property and the abutting property to the rear are denser further to the east. In addition, the porch would also have a southern exposure. (The proposed location places the porch on the north side of the house where it is shaded by the house.) Staff does not have a floor plan of the house to know if this idea is feasible. Option 1: Grant the variance based on the irregular shape of the lot and the existing location of the sliding glass door. In addition, the proposal replaces an existing improvement and three season porches are a common improvement in the neighborhood, and in this district. Option 2: Grant a variance allowing for the three season porch to be located on the east end of the house at the same rear setback as the house (22 feet), based on: • the irregular shape of the lot • the location of existing home, and the room to be served by the porch • the screening afforded by the trees along the rear property line • three season porches are a common improvement in the neighborhood and in this • zone district