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moving the garage to the other side of the home to accommodate a future structure on Lot 30 and the lot lines were redrawn. Mr. Larsen stated that if a variance is granted to Mr. Boyum, their quality of life will be affected because the new home would be constructed 20 feet from their dining room window and their main living area; as well as decrease the value of all three properties. He strongly recommended that the variance request be denied. Carol Larsen, 14480 Bowers Drive NW, Ramsey, stated that her and her husband have attended meetings of the Board of Adjustment over the last couple of months and have been impressed with the way the Board has handled different situations in the past. She explained that her and her husband are very private people and respect the privacy of other people and granting of the variance would have a large affect on their quality of life. When they were first made aware of the situation they came to City Hall to discuss the issue and were given a copy of all the regulations and reviewed the criteria that needed to be met in order to grant a variance. In her opinion their quality of life will be diminished and discussed the reason they constructed their home the way they did. Ms. Larsen explained that they have resided in their home for 36 years and almost all of their time is spent in the area that faces the location of where the variance is requested. With the plan that is proposed, if Mr. Boyum cuts out the side of the bank, he would have to install a retaining wall and would make all of the traffic come down on their side of the property in the small ten foot. section fight next to their windows. The steps would also come down right into their front patio. If the[e is only 20 feet between the two houses, there is an increase in fire hazard. All three of the properties would be devalued. Adding another home would cause congestion. Critical fiver regulations states that if they own t?o lots of substandard width, the property is unbuildable. When Mr. Bo3mm tore down the existing home and built the new home he moved the garage to the other side of the building, but should have moved the entire home and then the variance would not have been needed. If the variance is granted, Mr. Boyum would be given special privileges because there is no house in Bowers Drive built on less then 100 feet. Harold Boyum, 14460 Bowers Drive NW, Ramsey, stated that the river bluff is indicated where the DNR feels is appropriate. The surveyors marked the bluff line where the property first levels off. Mr. Boyum explained that Tom Hovey from the DNR came out to the site and gave no indication that the home would encroach on anything illegal and had no problems with the proposed layout of the home. He noted that he has no intention of lowering the bluff line, construction would require a considerable amount of dirt to be removed but the bluff line would not be altered. On April 19, 1996, Mr. Boyum received a letter from the City of Ramsey that responded in regards to '.~vhat needed to be completed in order to make Lot 30 a buildable lot. Mr. Boyum stated that four or five homes in the neighborhood have been constructed since the Critical River Overlay regulations have been adopted. When Mr. Boyum originally bought the property the home that existed was not structurally sound, so he demolished the existing home and constructed a two story home, but now is in a situation where he cannot afford to live in the home. In his opinion, if the variance is denied all new homes constructed would have to comply with the 200 foot setback which would affect a number of people. He feels the home will fit the area very well and does not feel it will diminish the value of the other homes. Board of Adjustment/February 1, 2000 Page 3 of 7