2019.01.15 Planning Commission - Laserfiche WebLink

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Variance Standards Worksheet A variance cannot be approved unless the Planning Commission and City Council find that the following standards have been met. Please provide a response as to how/why your project will meet these criteria. Use additional sheets if necessary and consult with the Planning Director at your Pre-Application Meeting if you need clarification on the intent of any of the below standards. Variance #3 – Sec. 4-030 (1) Parking Lot Setbacks from the property line of 30 feet. 1) Practical difficulties The site is limited in area and abutted by the Rice Creek wetland to the east. The School would like to expand the existing south parking lot to within 5 feet of the 30- foot side street setback, relocate the drive connecting the south lot to the east lot to within 27 feet from adjacent residential property line, and expand the west parking lot to within 12 feet from the property line to the Church. And the new north parking lot will go onto the Ramsey County Parks property. 2) Reasonable use The school is looking to add as many parking stalls to the site due to of the classroom additions and city requirements. The School sells permits to students to control the number of students that drive to school. 3) Applying to property The school site is limited in area and has no direction to expand lot size. The School plans to turn an existing practice field on the north side of the site into a parking lot, carve out areas of the site to create parking spots, as well as expand several existing parking lots beyond the setbacks to gain as many parking stalls as possible. 4) Character of the locality The proposal is in harmony with the character of the existing locality. Three streets, residential lots, as well as a church property border the site. The proposed parking lot expansions and addition will not adversely affect neighboring property, as parking lots already exist where work is planned. The south parking lot will have fencing and landscaping to shield headlight illumination from adjacent and nearby areas. 5) Consistency with Comprehensive Plan The School is a special permitted function within the R-1 Zone. The site is trying to create as many onsite parking stalls as possible.