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(C)Evidence. No variance will be granted unless the evidence presented discloses all of the <br />following facts. <br />(1) The subject matter of the application is within the scope of this section. <br />(2) Strict enforcement would cause practical difficulties because: <br />(a) The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by <br />the zoning code; <br />(b) The plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created <br />by the property owner; <br />(c) The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality; and <br />(d) Economic considerations alone are not the basis of the practical difficulties. <br />(3) The variance, if granted, would be consistent with the city's comprehensive land use plan. <br />(4) The granting of the variance is in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the <br />zoning code. <br />9. Relevant City Code. Title XV Land Usage, Section 152.053 (B. 1) and (B. 2) City Ordinance requires <br />a 75 -foot setback from the natural high -water elevation of the lake for swimming pools and pool <br />mechanical equipment in the R1 -A Single Family Lakeshore Zoning District. <br />CONCLUSIONS OF LAW <br />10. The requested variance is not in harmony with the purposes and intent of the ordinance because the <br />intent of the zoning code is to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the city and its people <br />through the establishment of minimum regulations governing land development and use. The zoning <br />code is established to: protect the use districts; promote orderly development and redevelopment; <br />provide adequate light, air, and access to property; prevent congestion in the public streets; prevent <br />overcrowding of land and undue concentration of structures by regulating land, buildings, yards, and <br />densities; and provide for compatibility of different land uses. <br />11. The requested variance is consistent with the comprehensive plan because the use of the property <br />would remain the same land -use as it is today, low- density residential. The comprehensive plan guides <br />this area detached housing units and granting this variance request will not alter that land -use. <br />12. The property owner does not propose to use the property in a reasonable manner because the proposal is <br />for a 963 square foot pool with concrete deck and a 28 square foot concrete pad for pool mechanical <br />equipment in the rear yard. There are two other swimming pools in rear yards along the lake. Both <br />were approved prior to establishment of the R -lA lakeshore zoning designation. <br />13. There are not unique circumstances to the property not created by the landowner because the landowner <br />prefers to locate a pool in the setback. Personal preferences do not qualify as unique circumstances to <br />the property. <br />14. The variance does not maintain the essential character of the locality because the lakeshore zoning <br />district was adopted in 1990 and set express limitations on swimming pools. The zoning designation <br />sets the standard for the essential character for this area of the City. <br />