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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA3 ETA CHAPTER } Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Corporation �- Alpha Gamma Rho Educational Foundation Michael J. Nissly, Treasurer y P.O. Box 606 .';•. Iowa Falls, IA 50126 IL-QUIA Phone: 641-648-4285 (w) Cell: 515-689-3412 -" -�- Email: mn@nisslyandnissly.com 1. VARIANCE STANDARDS (a) The granting of the variance shall not be contrary to the public interest. There will be no public harm done by granting this variance. There is no threat to other property owners or persons as the addition will still be far enough off the sidewalk and streets as not to pose a threat. There will be no devaluation due to the granting of this variance as there are no adjoining properties that will be impacted. The proposed addition will match the existing architecture and therefore will flow well with the visual appearance of the property. The addition will not be an eyesore, but instead a pleasant visual appearance will be presented, thus not disrupting the appearance of the neighborhood. (b) That without granting of the variance, and due to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship. Unnecessary hardship exists when: (i) The land in question cannot yield a reasonable return if used only for a purpose allowed in the zone: The principal permitted use of the property and the area surrounding is Greek housing, which will yield a reasonable return if the residence remains at or near capacity. The competition for residents between Greek houses and alternative residential options such as apartments causes the owners of Greek housing to constantly strive to update facilities to maintain occupancy. The improvements that would be created would increase the quality of living at Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity which is necessary to maintain future occupancy at or near capacity. Due to the unique layout of the lot and the need of the owner to offer additional space to its residents to improve the quality of life in the residence, a variance is necessary to yield a reasonable return on the property in the future. (ii) The plight of the owners is due to unique circumstances and not to the general conditions of the neighborhood: The lot on which the present building sits is unique in that it doesn't have a defined front yard and side yard. It is like we have one very big front yard. If we were to define the area east of the existing house as a side yard, the proposed addition would easilyfit within the 10' side and set-back requirements. But instead the entire Y q that is fronting on Gray Ave is considered the front yard. Other properties property g Y Y p p have a more defined front yard and side yard. Like the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity to our west. Our surveyors also had a difficult time determining exactly where the lot lines were when they were completing the survey work. We are going with the assumption that the survey is correct and therefore our proposed addition is just over the required set-back distance of 25 feet from the lot line. A shift in our lot line to the east or a change in drawing the arch of the lot line and we may be well within the set- back distance iii The use to be authorized by the variance will not alter the essential character of the locality. The surrounding area is Greek housing and University housing. The proposed addition will match the existingarchitecture and will be viewed positively as a p Y modern addition that flows seamlessly with the existing structure and surrounding area. This request for a variance on the required set-back will not damage the visual appearance or the flow of pedestrian traffic or vehicle traffic in the immediate area. (e) The spirit of the ordinance shall be observed even when the variance is granted. The Land Use in the area is residential and university housing. The proposed addition is an addition to a fraternity house which will allow for more comfortable living quarters for the members of the fraternity. There are no other alternatives for the development of the lot. (d) Substantial justice shall be done as a result of granting the variance. Competition in University housing is ever increasing, as evidenced by the new 700 bed facility being built just north of this location by Iowa State, and the brand new Delta Tau Delta house being constructed to our immediate west. In an attempt to maintain an attractive and viable living option for members of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity it was determined that additional space was needed. Our options for adding this space are limited. To the back of the property is our parking lot—a valuable asset providing off street parking that we do not want to lose. The southwest part of the lot has an existing circular driveway that provides access to our kitchen for deliveries and also valuable off street parking spaces. The proposed addition to the east of the existing structure is placed so that we can easily match the existing architecture and also tie the new areas into the existing living areas without a great deal of added cost. With the curve of our lot line there is just one corner of the proposed addition that reaches beyond the required set- back. A variance for this small encroachment would allow us to build to the size we've determined is necessary to meet our goals.