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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 17, 2012 Page 3 Chair Heinis indicated this item will be on the July 24, 2012, City Council agenda. VI.2. Anthony Health Center. 7 Chair Heinis opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. 8 9 Interim City Planner Corkle explained that St. Anthony Health Center is requesting a variance to 10 construct a light well within the required 30' setback. She stated the proposed light well would 11 extend into the setback by approximately 3' and this placement would result in 21.8' between the 12 sidewalk and the edge of the light well. She presented a sketch of the existing property and 13 stated the light well will run along the front of the bump -out for approximately 23'. She 14 indicated the tree will likely be impacted by construction and would need to be replaced as part 15 of the variance approval. She advised the amount of natural light coming into the physical 16 therapy unit is limited, placing a light well at other locations would conflict with utility and other 17 services, and relocating the physical therapy unit is not practical. She stated the owner is 18 proposing to use the property in a reasonable manner and the light well is intended to provide 19 natural light for the physical therapy unit. She indicated the circumstances are unique to the 20 property, not caused by the owner, and the variance, if granted, would not alter the essential 21 character of the locality; in addition, economic considerations alone are not the basis of the 22 practical difficulties and the proposed location of the light well is the most logical. She added 23 the variance is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, would protect the land use district, 24 would allow for the orderly development on the site, will not reduce light, air, and access, 25 granting the variance will not increase congestion, will not result in overcrowding, and will not 26 alter the site's compatibility with surrounding land uses. 27 28 Commissioner Jensen asked if the existing City Code allows for encroachments for window 29 wells if they are egress windows and whether the proposed light well would comply with City 30 Code if it provided egress. He questioned whether the City Code should be amended at some 31 point in the future to allow something similar. 32 33 Interim City Planner Corkle advised the light well would not provide egress and is different from 34 what is currently allowed by City Code. She agreed the City can review the Code to see if it 35 should be amended in that regard. 36 37 Mr. Alan Plutowski, TWP Architects, appeared before the Planning Commission on behalf of the 38 applicant and explained the current configuration of the basement and the ongoing remodeling. 39 He stated the light well is made of double insulated safety glass and the exterior vertical walls of 40 the light well will be brick to match the building. 41 42 Chair Heinis closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. 43 44 Motion by Commissioner Jensen, second by Commissioner Poucher, to recommend approval of 45 Resolution Approving a Three -Foot Variance to the Required 30 -Foot Setback from 37s' Avenue 46 for the Property at the Corner of Foss Road and 37 `h Avenue NE.