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Hugo Training Center (HTC) Site Narrative Practical Difficulties A. The property owner proposes to use the property in a reasonable manner not permitted by the ordinance. The additional Transmission Line facilities will not alter the use of the site as it will remain a utility training facility. The proposed Transmission lines are similar in nature to existing operable utility poles located around the City of Hugo. The proposed height of the towers are what the Xcel Team feels is required for their Staff to gain the training they need for real world situations. Based on the placement of the proposed transmission lines, substation, proposed In-Processing Building, existing vegetation, and proposed landscaping we believe the proposed use/variance is a reasonable use of the property. B. The plight of the property owner is due to circumstances unique to the property not created by the landowner. The existing property is surrounded by mature wooded vegetation to the west and south which provides significant screening for the proposed training facilities from adjacent land uses including residential to the south. In addition to the existing vegetation, placement of the proposed In-Processing Building and proposed landscaping will provided significant screening from properties to the north and Fenway Boulevard to the east. Additionally, the proposed Transmission lines are similar in nature to existing operable utility poles located around the City of Hugo. C. The variance if granted will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. The comprehensive plan identifies this parcel as Business Park (BP). The character and the zoning of this area is largely industrial with additional BP Zoned Parcels. There are residential properties to the north and south of the proposed project but there are significant buffers of woodland, existing commercial buildings, and proposed landscaping to screen the Training Area from the residential properties. We believe the proposed project including the requested variance is compatible with existing uses of this parcel and will not drastically change the site. The granting of the variance would be in keeping with the spirit and intent of this chapter and with the policies of the city’s comprehensive plan. The intent of the ordinance is to allow for the training area as long as it is adequately screened. Based on the placement of the transmission lines, substation, location of the proposed In-Processing Building, existing vegetation, and proposed landscaping we believe the proposed variance is in keeping with the existing training facility and the intent of the code. The variance, if granted, shall not have the effect of allowing any use prohibited in the district. The training center is a permissible use in the Business Park Zoning District. Additionally, the proposed Transmission lines are similar in nature to existing operable utility poles located around the City of Hugo. The proposed height of the towers are what the Xcel Team feels is required for their Staff to gain the training they need for real world situations. The variance, if granted, shall not permit a lower degree of flood protection than required by this chapter. The variance shall be determined the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to