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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – March 8, 2023 6 <br /> <br />Chair Vijums commented further on how the houses would be oriented and noted the houses <br />would not look into each other even if they were only 10 feet apart. He explained he owned a <br />house in St. Paul and it was less than 10 feet from the neighbors. <br /> <br />Commissioner Weber stated he understood this was common in other communities. He <br />indicated he would still like more information regarding the buildability of the lot to the east <br />because this would impact the two proposed homes. <br /> <br />Commissioner Mitchell discussed the length and width for the lot to the east noting it appeared <br />to be buildable. She commented on how the home on Tract B would have a view of the road, <br />while the home on Tract A would not. She commented on how the future homeowner on Tract A <br />could plant trees or shrubs to screen their view. She noted the widths of the lot were not <br />substantially different than the neighboring lots and the two homes would have a shared <br />driveway. She believed this was a better use of the land than having one huge house on the <br />property. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. <br /> <br />Mike Mezzenga, property owner and applicant, explained the equipment on the site was recently <br />placed onsite to clear the snow from the parking lot. He commented further on how the lots <br />would be oriented and reviewed house plans that would work on each of the tracts. He discussed <br />how the future homes may not be as large as he was proposing, which meant the setbacks <br />between the houses would be larger. He explained he was not intending to go any closer to the <br />lake than the OHW setback. <br /> <br />Roland Cargalatti, 1137 Edgewater Avenue, explained he received notice of the proposed <br />subdivision. He stated the project was lacking an easement. He discussed how the homes along <br />Edgewater Avenue had deeded lake access to Lake Josephine. He reported after speaking with <br />his neighbors, they confirmed the same information. He then reviewed the language within his <br />abstract regarding the deeded lake access. He requested this easement be included in City <br />documents and be taken into consideration. He noted the neighbors use this easement to access <br />the lake. <br /> <br />There being no additional comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 7:41 p.m. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Jagoe requested Mr. Cargalatti provide her with <br />information regarding the deeded lake access noting she would investigate this matter further. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums asked how the Commission wanted to proceed with this Planning Case. <br /> <br />Commissioner Weber asked if the Commission could make a recommendation for approval, <br />with adjustments to the side yard setbacks. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Jagoe stated the Commission could make a <br />recommendation to the Council to adjust the side yard setbacks in order to bring about more <br />separation between the two homes.