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I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 30. 1996 18 f' Roger Jensen, Attorney for Lake Johanna Fire Department, apologized to the Council for having to request approval of an after-the-fact SUP. He explained they did not intentionally construct I the parking lot and driveway without securing permits in an attempt to avoid securing those permits. Mr. Jensen eXplained the Fire Department entered into a contract with a reputable engineering firm and contractor and asswned those permits and applications would be made and I approved. The Fire Department believed everything had been properly taken care of when construction occurred. I Mr. Jensen stated the Fire Department took the comments of the Planning Commission and staff to heart and made significant changes. He advised they are willing to reconstruct the parking lot, and bulldoze and recurb a portion. He commented on the importance of providing parking I spaces needed for periodic training which occurs at this facility. Mr. Jensen noted the changes made improved the parking area with blacktop, provided for water runoff into the pond, and improved the quality of water runoff. I Mr. Jensen advised they would like to preserve the three mature trees which are located to the south of the driveway and to do that, the width can only be 21 feet wide at the upper portion of I the driveway. If the driveway is moved to the south, then it will necessitate removal of the mature trees which currently provide screening of the building and makes it a more pleasing .. aesthetical environment. He clarified there is no necessity for additional width of the upper portion of the driveway and they are willing to widen the lower portion of driveway to 24 feet to accommodate safety concerns of Staff, which the Fire Department also shares. I Mr. Jensen presented written approval from the adjoining property owner consenting to the proposed variance changes and explained their revised request is for a side yard setback variance I from a 4 foot setback to a 6 foot setback which will make it less viewable from the house to the north. Also, they will add several blue spruce trees to further screen the north yard and to the east will install a complete border of blue spruce to completely screen Ms. McGuire's property I which would have a 40 foot setback. Mr. Jensen stated he believes these are reasonable requests. Mr. Jensen noted that Ms. McGuire's house is located over 500 feet from the parking lot area so I there is very little visual impact. He stated the issue is not onc of adverse impact to property but Ms. McGuire's attempt to leverage her consent to be able to develop and gain access to the rear undevelopable lot so it can be developed. Mr. Jensen advised that the Fire Department does not I believe it would be appropriate to grant an easement through a narrow strip of land. Also, Ms. McGuire's proposal would make parking more remote from the Fire Department than the current I proposal. He stated it appears Ms. McGuire's concern is more of a development concern rather than a concern about impact to her property. I Mr. Jensen stated the Fire Department has obtained consent from all property owners within 350 feet of the upper variance request, except for Ms. McGuire. The Fire Department did not pose this request to property owners on the lower parking lot. Mr. Jensen requested favorable tI consideration to this request for variances and again extended an apology for the Fire Department presumptively constructing the parking lot and driveway without prior approval. I