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To: Ramsey Board of Adjustment November 1st, 2009 Exhibit Pc From: Mark Hilliard-owner 5161 156th Ln NW, Ramsey, MN Re: R~quest for Variance to Build storage Shed I am making a request for a variance to build a small 14 x 22 ft storage shed on my property located at 5161 156th Lane Ramsey, MN. My lot is a larger 1 acre lot located in an area of Ramsey. Almost all the surrounding homes to our lot also occupy approximately 1 acre lots and the neighborhood's essential character is one in . which almost all homes have built in ways to maximize tree preservation. I am requesting a valiance to build a storage shed that will be located "i n front" ( 0 r closer to the city road) . than my residence is. Normally, by existing city code intended for much smaller conventional .25 acre lots - such a building is built behind or parallel to the main residence. However the back oJ our lot-property has always been low-lying land and will occasionally collect water. This has been true ever since we first purchased the lot in early 1980 's and is a naturally existing conditi6n. of the property. Building the shed in any other existing location on our lot would also mean that several 60-70 year old, mature- and highly desirable~ Red Oak and Cedar trees would have to be cut down to allow for any construction. This is something I do NOT want to do as it harms the essential chqracter of my tree-covered lot, would. reduce the lot' . s property value, and would place the new structure in loc~tions, that while legal, would not be appreciated by my neighbors or improve their values. A simple neighbor hood Plat inspection of the surrounding lots would show that several of our neighbors have homes located fairly close to our back property lines and if we built sttictly to code these neighbo~ would see the new structure clearly. Another reason for asking for a valiance to build as indicated on our lot survey is that the new location is almost completely (90 % ) screened on all side.s by existing younger Cedar, Oak and evergreen trees. (Please see 360 degree photos of trees surrounding and screening proposed building site r. If built as proposed this struc- ture should be minimally visible and existing and future tree plantings will screen the structure from all neighbors even more effectively than existing foliage does now. The new structure will be built to match existing siding ( H ardiPlank) and roofing (GAF Weathered-Wood) of my residence and the color of the siding (HardiPlank Khaki) will blend in well with tree-tone colors of sur- rounding foliage to make the building unobtrusive. A,final advantage will be that the storage shed will be abl~ to house/store maintenance tools, Mowers, repair block, etc that are now stored outside as we have no place to keep them. So for all of these reasons we believe the new spot for the shed (approximately 20 ahead of our residence) as indicated on the lot survey is the best location to build on as it is well drained, preserves mature trees and should be minimally visible from any neighbor's lot. ' Finally, I would like to note thatthe Board of Adjustment has an established history of decision precedents for. approving valiance requests similar (and in one case almost identical) to mine that are recorded in Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes for 2008-and 2009. Specifically, ca?es that document approvals for similar variance requests to mine are John Ives, Chad Storbakken, and Russell Peterson. Footnote: My neighbor to the east, Jeff Duran; has been trying to sell his home for some time. Approval of the variance would let me store materials & Block I have to'keep outside now, improving property views we share.' If approved the project could be finished before winter. Thank you for considering my case. Mark Hilliard Attachments: 360 degree site Photos of proposed site illustrating screening of existing foliage for project. 14