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February 23, 2017 Page 4 4. The granting of the variance is in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the zoning code. The intent of the zoning code is to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the city and its people through the establishment of minimum regulations governing land development and use. The zoning code is established to: protect the use districts; promote orderly development and redevelopment; provide adequate light, air, and access to property; prevent congestion in the public streets; prevent overcrowding of land and undue concentration of structures by regulating land, buildings, yards, and densities; and provide for compatibility of different land uses. The entryway addition proposed by the applicant does not in any way conflict with the spirit or intent of St. Anthony’s zoning code. The impact to surrounding property owners and community members will be negligible, and will not be harmful to the health, safety or general welfare of the neighborhood. Criterion met. Request #2: Request for a 2-foot variance to exempt the porch steps from five-foot encroachment allowance 1. The subject matter of the application is within the scope of this section. The application for a variance to encroachment length is an eligible subject matter for variance criteria because these factors are related to dimensional and/or bulk standards. Criterion met. 2. Strict enforcement would cause practical difficulties because: a. The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the zoning code; The applicant is proposing two steps that lead up to a proposed porch. The porch itself meets the encroachment requirements. Steps are a necessary element for this home, given the lot grading and the height of the front door, and the inclusion of the proposed steps in the proposed location is reasonable. Criterion met. b. The plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the property owner; Given the depth of the porch necessary to accommodate the range of motion of the front door, the steps extend past the maximum encroachment depth by necessity. Criterion met. c. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality; and Granting of this variance will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. A set of steps leading up to a front entrance that extend beyond the front façade of the home is a common occurrence on this block and in the City of St. Anthony in general where often the lot grade requires steps in order to reach the front entrance. At their low height, the steps as proposed do not create a visual impairment or obstruction for neighboring property owners. Criterion met. d. Economic considerations alone are not the basis of the practical difficulties. The applicant’s request is not related to any financial considerations and granting the variance would not relieve the applicant of any financial hardship. Criterion met. 3. The variance, if granted, would be consistent with the City’s comprehensive land use plan. 14