Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 3, 2025 7 <br /> <br />property line and required a variance for this. He reported some of the FAR was out to the edge <br />of the water. He commented he spoke with the owner about using permeable pavers for the <br />driveway and he anticipated this would be done. <br /> <br />Commissioner Birken inquired if any mature trees would be removed from the lot. <br /> <br />Mr. Nguyen stated there were no mature trees on the lot. <br /> <br />Commissioner Birken asked if any soil tests would be completed on the property to ensure the <br />lot could support the proposed home. <br /> <br />Mr. Nguyen explained he would be completing soil borings in order to figure out where the <br />water table was. <br /> <br />Commissioner Burlingame pointed out the vacant property had three rather large trees on it. He <br />questioned if a reduction in the plans had been considered in order to reduce the number of <br />variances. <br /> <br />Mr. Nguyen stated this would be difficult to do given the size or shape of the lot and the <br />setbacks that were required. He indicated an impractical home could be built that was really <br />skinny and long. <br /> <br />Commissioner Erler inquired why the new house could not be built on the previous footprint. <br /> <br />Mr. Nguyen explained the previous home encroached on the roadway. He stated he has never <br />built a house that encroaches onto the City right-of-way. He commented on how it was <br />impractical to rebuild a new home with the same exact footprint as the previous home. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lindau thanked the applicant for the thoughtful and well-designed plans. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bjorklund asked where the mature trees were located. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lindau noted there were three mature trees within the right of way on the vacant <br />lot. <br /> <br />Mr. Nguyen reported there were no trees on the survey and stated there were no trees in the area <br />where he would be building. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jacobson commented it was important to see the lake and asked if the proposed <br />home would impact the neighbors view. <br /> <br />Mr. Nguyen explained the majority of the home was two stories, which was the same as the <br />home that was there. He noted the small portion being added to the third story was for the mother <br />in law’s guest room. He indicated he would not be able to build a four-bedroom one-story home <br />on this tiny lot with no basement. <br /> <br />Commissioner Birken inquired if this would be an investment property or would this be a <br />primary home. <br /> <br />Mr. Nguyen reported this would be the primary home for the property owner.