Laserfiche WebLink
Item 05A <br />Page 8 of 9 <br /> <br />Finding: The Variance is in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the City <br />Code. <br /> <br /> b. The variance is consistent with the comprehensive plan. <br /> <br />Finding: The property is zoned R-1 Single-Family Residential, and is guided Single- <br />Family Detached in the Comprehensive Plan (2010). The request relates to the <br />following Goals and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan: <br /> <br />Land Use: Residential: <br /> <br />Goal 1: Preserve the identity and maintain and improve the quality and <br />appearance of existing neighborhoods. <br /> <br />Goal 3: Encourage a creative approach to the use of land and related <br />residential development. <br /> <br />Policy c: The City will encourage the upgrade and expansion of homes by <br />providing flexible standards that address the unique <br />circumstances of expanding existing single dwellings. <br /> <br /> c. The applicant proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by this Title <br />or the City Code. <br /> <br />Finding: The proposed front yard encroachment by the planned garage, is a reasonable <br />use. <br /> <br />d. Unique circumstances apply to the property which do not apply to other properties in the <br />same zone or vicinity and result from lot size or shape, topography or other circumstances <br />over which the owner of the property since the enactment of this Title has had no control. The <br />unique circumstances do not result from the actions of the applicant. <br /> <br />Finding: The unique circumstance is the existing detached garage encroaching into the <br />30’ front yard setback, and was not created by the applicant. The applicant’s <br />planned 2’ expansion of the non-conforming garage’s footprint for the new <br />garage is the result of the applicant, but is reasonable for a 24’-wide garage, in <br />the opinion of the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />e. The variance does not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Finding: The variance (reduced setback) will not alter the essential character of the <br />neighborhood. <br /> <br /> f. The variance requested is the minimum variance which would alleviate the practical <br />difficulties. Economic conditions alone do not constitute practical difficulties. <br /> <br />Finding: The variance request; to reduce the front yard setback from 30’ to 26’ for the <br />expansion of a non-conforming building, is the minimum variance which would <br />alleviate the practical difficulty (e.g. narrow garage footprint, and encroaching <br />into the front yard setback). <br />