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Resolution 1121-20 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />Finding: The home was built in 1952 with a detached l'/ car garage. Since then, it has been more <br />common_for households to have more than one vehicle. It is reasonable to have a <br />driveway that is two -cars wide. Further, it is reasonable that the proposed driveway be <br />configured such that one side (e.g lane) of'the driveway is aligned with the garage door <br />opening. The Applicant's request to align one lane along the .side yard (e.g. 0' setback) <br />will allow the other lane to align with the garage door. <br />Alternatively, if the 5' side yard setback were maintained, and the second driveway lane <br />were to be between the garage and the house, it would likely necessitate the removal of a <br />mature Maple tree, a High Value and Specimen Tree (over 16" in diameter), according <br />to Mounds View City Code, Section 1127.02. It is the City's goal to ensure that <br />development is compatible with the natural environment and is accommodated without <br />destroying desirable environmental features and natural amenities. <br />4. Unique circumstances apply to the property which do not apply to other properties in the same zone <br />or vicinity and result from lot size or shape, topography or other circumstances over which the owner <br />of the property since the enactment of this Title has had no control. The unique circumstances do not <br />result from the actions of the applicant. <br />Finding: Unique circumstances include a High Value Specimen Tree, which if the driveway were <br />to be expanded to the west, this tree would need to be removed, or would be greatly <br />damaged. Mature over -story trees have contributed towards the character and quality of <br />life of the city's neighborhoods. The City places a higher value on tree preservation than <br />on open space of minimal dimensions (e.g. preserving 5' side yard setbacks). <br />5. The variance does not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. <br />Finding: One-third of the homes on the 2400 block of Clearview Avenue have driveways with <br />setbacks less than 5'. Allowing the existing driveway to be reconstructed with a 0' <br />setback, is not out of character with the neighborhood. <br />6. The variance requested is the minimum variance which would alleviate the practical difficulties. <br />Economic conditions alone do not constitute practical difficulties. <br />Finding: Practical Difficulties include the location of the detached garage (5 '-6' setback, from side <br />yard property line), and garage door opening (about 7'-8' setback), and the home's side <br />door steeps. <br />Reducing the side yard setback from 5 ' to 1', allows vehicles to be parked on the <br />driveway without blocking access to the garage door. <br />If the 5' setback were maintained, the driveway would be widened toward the house. The <br />placement of the home's side door and steps, limits the length of'the driveway. <br />Construction of this half'of the driveway would require excavation, causing damage to a <br />High Value Specimen Tree, and possibly require its removal. Therefore, widening the <br />driveway toward the side yard property line is the lesser of two evils. <br />7. The Board of Adjustment and Appeals, may impose such conditions upon the premises benefited by a <br />variance as may be necessary to comply with the standards established by this Title or to reduce or <br />minimize the effect of such variance upon other properties in the neighborhood and to better carry out <br />