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March 10, 2020 <br />Page 4 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The applicants suggest that the requested encroachment will permit them to upgrade the <br />house, retaining or enhancing neighborhood character as a result. It is presumed that the <br />addition will match the existing structure architecturally and with similar materials. <br /> <br />The proposed design does not appear to be out of character with the neighborhood. For <br />any variance, the underlying requirement must be that the proposed use of property is <br />reasonable, that is, a condition that most would presume to be a common and expected <br />use of property. If so, the next test is whether unique conditions exist on the property, and <br />whether those conditions create “practical difficulties” in using the property reasonably. <br /> <br />As discussed above, the applicants could technically expand garage space to the rear, <br />creating a tandem design. While some homes in the neighborhood have rear yard <br />detached two car garages, the current condition on the subject property does not permit <br />adequate room to construct a driveway that would be able to access such a new garage. <br />Moreover, tandem garages are not common, and result in additional parking/circulation <br />issues for owners and neighbors. At the public hearing, it was noted that by removing the <br />existing attached garage, the applicant could extend a driveway into the rear yard and <br />construct a double garage with a 5 foot setback. However, this option would increase <br />impervious surface on the lot. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />38