12-07-22 PC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 9, 2022 2 Commission reviewed the interest in selling the parcel for consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The City has verified that the parcel is not dedicated for a public purpose that would prohibit the sale (i.e. park land or public improvements) or as a site for future development to meet the needs of city infrastructure or operational activities, and it was found that the sale of the Subject Property would be in compliance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Community Development Director Jagoe reported during the discussions, the City was evaluating the parcel size based off of Ramsey County Property Records and GIS mapping as there was no certificate of survey on record for the Subject Property. Ramsey County Property Records have the deeded acreage as 0.31 acres (approx. 13,500 square feet). The Subject Property came from the State through the County as part of the turn back of the Old Snelling Avenue (now referred to as Snelling Avenue North) corridor ROW to the City. Based on the best information available from Ramsey County, city staff initially identified that the total lot area of the parcel would be nonconforming since the minimum lot area requirement in the R-1 District is 14,000 square feet. A preliminary analysis of lot dimensions was completed as part of the Planning Commission review utilized the County’s GIS mapping in order to garner th e approximate lot width and lot depth. Community Development Director Jagoe explained over the next year, city staff worked through the process to facilitate the sale of the Subject Property. On August 8, 2022, the City Council approved the purchase agreement for the Subject Property from Ahmed Ali and Nawal Hirsi. The purchase agreement included an acknowledgement of the Applicant’s responsibility for all costs associated with due diligence which includes the variance review due to the nonconforming lot size. As part of the due diligence via a survey, it was determined that the lot measured approximately 14,472 square feet, and would not require a variance for lot area but would require a variance for lot depth. Community Development Director Jagoe reviewed the site data, the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: General Findings: 1. City Staff received a land use application for a variance request to the required R-1 Zoning District lot depth, front yard setback, and driveway access at the Subject Property, 3588 Ridgewood Road. 2. The Subject Property is a nonconforming lot of record deeded to the City through the State and County from the Old Snelling Avenue corridor right-of-way (now referred to as Snelling Avenue North). 3. The Subject Property is a nonconforming lot with a mean lot depth of 97.4 feet and does not comply with the minimum R-1 district standards for lot depth of 130 feet. 4. The Subject Property is currently undeveloped. 5. The Planning Commission has determined that a potential sale of the City owned property at 3588 Ridgewood Road would be in compliance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. 6. The proposed single-family dwelling would not require a side yard setback variance. 7. The proposed single-family dwelling on the Subject Property would conform to all other requirements and standards of the R-1 Zoning District. Variance Findings: