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T H Hoivik letter RE – PC19-020 Deck Variance Request.docx <br /> 1 February 2020 <br />Dear Mr. Hartmann <br />Unfortunately I will be out of town during the month of February and cannot attend the PC# 19-020: 3159 <br />Shoreline Lane Deck Variance Request meetings on 5 and 24 February. Having lived on Lake Josephine since <br />1960, I have watched the beauty of this lake grow with beautiful homes that meet the city code and ordinances. <br />However, occasionally over the years there have been a few lakefront property owners who have no regard for <br />the City Code or consideration of their neighbors or neighborhood and violate the regulations and ordinances. <br />This owner is one of them and I strongly oppose this variance for the following reasons: <br />1. The house is already closer to the shoreline than any other home on the lake. Not only would a larger deck <br />on this small house be inappropriate for the neighborhood, it significantly impinges on the view and reduces the <br />wonderful character of the lake and neighborhood. <br />2. Although the owners of the house claim that they will use this oversize deck for reasonable purposes, it turns <br />out that three families have purchased this house for use as a vacation home which include large parties for <br />their kids and friends which have too often disturbed the neighbors. A larger deck would exacerbate this issue <br />for the surrounding neighbors. <br />3. To accommodate these large groups, the owners have paved over most of their property for a large parking <br />lot that would provide space for numerous cars and vehicles for friends and visitors. This parking lot greatly <br />exceeds and is in direct violation of the percent hardscape codes established by the city. In addition, this <br />pavement was constructed so that the rain and snow runoff goes directly into the neighbor’s yards, which then <br />causes erosion and sediment to drain down to the lake killing several of their trees. The creation of this large <br />parking area is not in compliance with the code or best management practices of Arden Hills. <br />4. Additionally, the owners put up a dock which greatly exceeds the size and surface areas established in city <br />codes and ordinances for their small size property. The width of the dock also impinges on the neighbors lawful <br />water boundaries and makes it more difficult for them to maneuver their boats and watercraft. <br />In conclusion, I strongly recommend that: <br />a. The Variance is disapproved. <br />b. The owners be required to reduce the size of the dock to comply with the city code and ordinance <br />requirements. <br />c. The owners be required to remove sections of the parking pavement to comply with the City <br />hardscape percentage code and ordinances. <br />If the city does not enforce their established codes and ordinances, more and more owners will feel empowered <br />to ignore and violate them to the detriment of the other Lake Josephine property owners. <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Thomas H. Hoivik, Captain, USN (Ret) <br />3145 Shoreline Lane, Arden Hills <br />thhskipper@gmail.com