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Mounds View Planning Commission March 15, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 18 in order to grant a variance. He added that although this is probably a larger lot than most in the neighborhood, he has the impression from looking at the photograph that it is already overbuilt. Commissioner Stevenson advised that they must be very careful when considering corner lots, where vehicles turn in both directions. He stated there are reasons the 30-foot setback requirement is in place, however, the house appears to be setback 40 feet from the road, which would probably provide a sufficient safety factor with the expansion. Mr. Murlowski stated he agreed there were reasons for the 30-foot corner lot setback requirement, in that they would not want a structure to encroach into the street and obstruct traffic visibility. He stated the applicant’s house is situated on the lot with a 40-foot front yard setback, and Park View Drive to the east actually curves away from the house, therefore, the addition of 12 feet of structure would not obstruct visibility any more than the existing house currently does. Chairperson Peterson stated this is an irregularly shaped corner lot however, he did not see much difference from a normal corner lot as relates to the first criteria. Commissioner Miller stated she did not see any special circumstance presented with this lot. Commissioner Johnson agreed. He added that this was not an older house, and a variance is generally granted to improve situations found with the older smaller structures, in order to upgrade the property. Mrs. Magoris indicated the owner of Lot 4, two lots to the south of her property, requested a variance that the residents opposed. She indicated this resident had a two-car garage, which he basically doubled straight back into the lot. She stated this lowered the surrounding property values by 5 percent, and although the residents were opposed to this, the City approved the variance. Chairperson Peterson stated this occurred on the property located at 7312 Park View Terrace, in the early 1990’s. Mr. Millhouse indicated this garage extended beyond the side of the house, and the expansion was not consistent with the original roofline of the structure. Commissioner Hegland inquired if this expansion would be approved if it were not being proposed on a corner lot. Planning Associate Ericson stated yes, depending upon how much side yard space was available. Commissioner Hegland stated he would argue that this makes all corner lots exceptional. He stated he realized there are rules for corner lots, however, the Commission should look at this application in terms of the intent, the original setback of the property, and the equity of all homeowners in the area.