4.2. BASR 08-26-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 28, 1997 To: City of Elk River From: Neil and Sandy Buelow Re: Letter of explanation for Application for Variance for Building Permit Please consider granting a variance to build a three season porch for these reasons: 1. If ordinance is literally enforced it would be an unavoidable hardship because we would be denied the opportunity to fully enjoy the scenic beauty of our property during the insect filled summer months. The addition of a porch would increase and enhance the liveability of our home. 2. The special conditions and circumstances which are peculiar to the land and structure involved and cause a hardship are the shape, size and location of our lot. The unusual, irregular, small and pie shaped lot is situated on the inside bend of the Mississippi River. Another special condition is the angle of the river at this point along our property. 3. The literal application of the provisions of the Ordinance would deprive us of rights enjoyed by our immediate neighbors. The house next door is built 35 feet from the river at one corner and 78 feet at the other corner. The property two houses from us • has a large porch, deck, and swimming pool which is 50 feet from the river. Several other homes along Fillmore Avenue have porches along the river side of their structures. 4. The special conditions and circumstances are not a consequence of our action or inaction as we purchased the property with the house built on it in March of 1996. 5. Granting of this variance will not be injurious or adversly affect the health, safety, or welfare of the residents of the city or neighborhood because the addition will not extend past the existing outside building lines. Building onto the proposed area is the only possibility where extension beyond building lines would not occur. Further, no trees will be removed or cut. Our well and septic tank will not be affected by this proposed addition. The design and materials used will match the existing structure. The addition will not obstruct views of the river for any of our neighbors. Included with this application are letters of support from our neighbors. (However, there are only letters from three of the four property owners because Mr. Randall Seliga is out of town until August 4. We will send a letter of support from Mr. Seliga when we are able to talk to him.) Please note that the list of property owners required for submission with this application is one year old (June, 1996). However, the list is accurate as there have been no changes is the status of property owners within 350 feet from the affected property in the past year. IDWe have included with this application two phographs of our house which show the area where we would like to build the porch.