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5405 Quincy Street CUP & VR Request <br />August 19, 2015 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br /> <br />The Zoning Code states that the Planning Commission may issue a variance to provide relief <br />to the landowner in those cases where the Code imposes practical difficulties to the property <br />owner in the use of the property owner’s land. This is true for all variance requests. State <br />statutes require that the governing body review a set of specified criteria for each application <br />and make its decision in accordance with these criteria. These criteria are set forth in Section <br />1125.02, Subdivision 2, of the City Code. A variance may be granted only in the event that <br />all of the following circumstances exist: <br /> <br />a. The variance is in harmony with the general purposes and intent of these <br />regulations. <br /> <br />The zoning code has a maximum width for oversize garages (over 952 square feet) for <br />aesthetics, but does not have a width limit for garages that are less than 952 square feet. <br />The property owner would place the garage with the narrower side as the front if it would fit <br />on the lot. <br /> <br />b. The variance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />The Comprehensive Plan does not specify criteria for building size or aesthetics, but it does <br />support improvements to properties. <br /> <br />c. The applicant proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by <br />this Title or the City Code. <br /> <br />The property owner must replace the damaged garage, and needs more garage space to park <br />vehicles and for storage. The garage itself is allowed as a conditional use, it only has to be <br />turned sideways in order to meet setback requirements. <br /> <br />d. Unique circumstances apply to the property which do not apply to other properties in <br />the same zone or vicinity and result from lot size or shape, topography or other <br />circumstances over which the owner of the property since the enactment of this Title has had <br />no control. The unique circumstances do not result from the actions of the applicant. <br /> <br />Typically a large garage will always be placed on the lot with the narrower side as the front. <br />Since this is a corner lot, and it does not meet the required minimum dimensions of at least <br />100 feet by 100 feet, it makes it difficult to place accessory structures on the property and <br />meet all City Code requirements. <br /> <br />e. The variance does not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. <br /> <br />The applicant’s neighborhood consists of a variety of lot sizes and is quite wooded. The new <br />garage will be wider facing Bronson Drive than the existing garage, and only a few feet of the <br />garage will be visible from the Quincy Street side.