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Christine L Albertsson AIA/Todd P Hansen AIA Albertsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd. Variance 2800 Lyndale Ave South Suite 220 a,h Minneapolis,MN 55408 Application tel 612 823 0233/fax 612 823 4950 Date: August 18, 2011 Project: Johnson Porch Subject: Description of Variance Request Dear Ms.'s and Sirs, Albertsson Hansen Architecture Ltd has been engaged to apply for this variance on behalf of Barbara and Cully Johnson, Owners of the property at 3408 Maplewood Drive, St Anthony Village and we respectfully submit this request for your consideration. Description of Request: To allow an increase from 5'-0" to 7-9 1/2" for permitted encroachments in front yard setback. Description of Project: The Owners would like to enhance the curb appeal of their home by adding a screened porch on the north (or street side) of their home. Their goal is also to engage the use of their front yard and to foster community connections, as front porches can. The existing house is a colonial with a concrete stoop and steps to grade. There is no cover over the stoop to provide a sheltered entry for visitors to the house. There is also no place to gather in the front yard. From Variance Application: 1. & 2. See Variance Application 3. Explain how you wish to vary from the applicable provisions of the Ordinance: As stated above the goal of the project is to provide a gathering spot for the Owners of the house and to engage the neighborhood. The setback for this house is determined by the average depth of the front yards of the two adjacent properties. The front yard setback is therefore 33.4' (the average of 30.2' and 36.6'). The zoning code allows encroachments for "Steps, stoops, and porches which extend into the front yard not more than 5'-0"." The proposed design continues a line set by the existing garage which encroaches on the current front yard setback by 2'-10". The porch is an extension of this line with a wood stoop and stairs to grade extending from the front line of the porch 5'-0". The proposed variance is in the spirit of the Ordinance by requesting that the Owners be allowed to extend stoops and stairs out from the front plane of their house 5'-0". Albertsson Hansen Architecture, ltd. 2800 Lyndale Avenue South Suite 220 Minneapolis,MN 55408 Page 1 of 2