12-07-22 PC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 9, 2022 7 Community Development Director Jagoe stated a tree preservation plan would have to be submitted by the applicant, along with a grading plan for the building permit. She explained Mr. Ali had attended a Council Worksession meeting and based on the feedback made by the City Council, adjustments had been made to the plan. Chair Vijums opened the meeting for public comments. Steven Nelson, 3475 Siems Court, stated the City was establishing a precedent by dumbing down the requirements for this lot in an attempt to raise funds. He noted the applicant was aware of the setback and lot size requirements, as well as the access requirement from Ridgewood Road. He encouraged the Commission to consider the precedent that would be set if this variance were approved, especially given the fact the applicant knew the rules prior to purchasing the lot. Matthew Dreon, 3586 Ridgewood Road, stated he lived two houses to the north from the subject property. He believed the City made a mistake by selling this lot, when it was not buildable. He feared the City put this family in a tough spot because a house would not fit on this lot. He reported 25% of the proposed home would not fit on this lot. He stated he was not anti- development, but he anticipated a dangerous precedent would be set if the City were to approve the requested variances. He indicated this lot was not designed for a 2,300 square foot foundation home and recommended the Commission deny the requested variance. Chair Vijums closed the meeting for public comments. Chair Vijums commented when this property went for sale he reluctantly approved the sale, but he did so with the understanding the lot would require a variance for lot size. He stated the buyers purchased the lot with the understanding the lot was non-conforming. He indicated he would not be supporting the requested variances, because the requests were well beyond what the City would typically see. Commissioner Wicklund explained this was an incredibly complex situation. He believed the City should take some responsibility for the complexity of the situation, which was unfortunate. He stated his preference would be to find a workable solution. He suggested a structure be pursued that was put into the buildable area red triangle that was modern and required only five extra feet versus the requests that were currently before the Commission. He indicated he would not be able to support the variances as requested from the applicant. Commissioner Jefferys stated the variance request process was arbitrary and the applicant knew variances had been approved by the City in the past. However, the applicant may have been taking too big of a risk when purchasing this property. Commissioner Collins agreed the variance issue was complicated. He indicated the applicant was requesting a standard house that fit the character of the neighborhood. He noted the setbacks were to the property line and do not infringe on the neighbors, but rather infringe on the roadways. He believed the applicant had significant right-of-way from the house to the streets. He reported the driveway requirement was a safety issue for him because the City did not complete a survey on the property to see if a driveway could even be accessed from Ridgewood Road. He noted the property to the north accesses Snelling Avenue and for this reason he could