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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 10 <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes inquired what part of the driveway staff was recommending to be <br />completed with a hard surface. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff reported that the hard surface proposed was for the new portion of driveway <br />being constructed outside of the accessory structure. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant requested further information from staff on how the City defines hard surface with <br />respect to accessory structures. <br /> <br />City Planner Streff reviewed the City Code and noted that construction standards for all off- <br />street parking and drives were required to be improved with a hard surface. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden suggested that the apron be 10 feet and not 2 feet. She was in favor of <br />adding another condition for approval which would require the applicant to surface the driveway <br />in the next five years. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher stated her concern that it would be difficult for <br />staff to enforce this recommendation without an escrow as leverage. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant discussed the length of the applicant’s driveway. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung was willing to allow some flexibility with the driveway, so long as <br />the City ensured that the driveway was paved at some point. He supported allowing the applicant <br />up to five years to complete the resurfacing. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher suggested that this issue be addressed by the <br />City Attorney. She further discussed how escrows are used for larger construction projects. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung asked when the applicant wanted to begin construction of the <br />accessory structure. <br /> <br />Mr. Hanson reported that he would like to begin construction yet this fall. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden suggested that condition #5 be amended to state that City staff shall <br />speak with the City Attorney to seek an enforceable alternative to the driveway situation, and if no <br />solution could be found that the requirement remain ‘as is’. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher suggested that the language indicate that a <br />security arrangement be reached between the City and the applicant that is satisfactory to the City <br />Attorney, and requires that this improvement be made in five years’ time. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung supported the language recommended by staff. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that this language would have to be <br />reviewed by the City Attorney. <br /> <br />Mr. Hanson stated that he would be willing to place a 10-foot apron in front of the garage.