05-24-21-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – May 5, 2021 3 Commissioner Jeffreys questioned if there were any other garages that would have a garage 10 feet or closer to the street. Planning Consultant Bemis explained she was uncertain if there were any homes in this neighborhood that had garages closer than seven feet to the street. Commissioner Weber reported the garage would be 27 feet from the street, seven feet from the right of way. He indicated he supported the proposed request and believed this was an appropriate use of the property. Commissioner Wicklund indicated he supported the proposed garage location. He commented the red pines are great for screening, but he feared in 20 to 30 years all screening would be lost and the garage would be visible from the street in the future. Chair Vijums asked if previous variances have been approved for garages in this neighborhood. Planning Consultant Bemis reported there have been three subdivision requests and one setback variance that have been requested in this neighborhood. She explained the variance and two of the subdivision requests were approved. Chair Vijums discussed the location of the proposed driveway noting it was getting closer to the property line. He questioned if this was another concern the Commission should be addressing. Planning Consultant Bemis stated the width of the driveway at the road would not be changing and therefore the driveway would be conforming. She indicated staff did not have any concerns with the proposed driveway. Chair Vijums asked if the new driveway would match the existing concrete driveway. Planning Consultant Bemis deferred this question to the applicant. Robert Kunze, 4073 Valentine Court, explained he had every intention of matching the driveway materials. He stated for the record that the red pines on the plans have been replaced with arborvitaes, hemlocks and catalpa yews. Chair Vijums opened the meeting for public comment at this time. There were no comments from the public. Commissioner Wicklund stated he would like to a third condition for approval requiring the applicant to plant coniferous screening vegetation along the property line between the driveway extending to the rear corner. He indicated this would assist with screening the driveway from the street. Commissioner Weber commented he did not believe it was necessary to add this condition. Commissioner Wicklund moved and Commissioner Jeffreys seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 21-006 for a Variance at 4073 Valentine Court based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the two (2 ) conditions in the May 5, 2021, report to the Planning Commission adding Condition 3 which shall