Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />., <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />~ <br />EN HILLS <br /> <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />February 14,2006 <br /> <br />Agenda Item 2E <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Mayor and Council <br />Michelle Wolfe, City Administrator <br /> <br />Karen Barton, Community Development Director ~ <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />Survey Requirements <br /> <br />Attachements <br /> <br />1. Land Use Application <br /> <br />Currently, the City of Arden Hills requires all Land Use applications to submit a <br />professionally prepared survey as part of the application. The survey is used by staff <br />and the Planning Commission for analysis and to formulate a recommendation. This is <br />particularly important when the legal description of the property is being <br />affectedlchanged (i.e., minor subdivision or lot consolidation). <br /> <br />While a survey does add a significant cost, it is also an important tool for evaluating <br />variance requests. A survey is used to verify the location of lot lines and to determine <br />exactly how far a structure would encroach on a setback or exceed other zoning <br />requirements-both of which are essential for accurately evaluating the request and <br />determining if a hardship exists. When a resident is requesting a variance that is close <br />to the property line, it is particularly important to know the exact location of lot lines to <br />ensure that new structures or additions are built entirely on the applicant's property. <br />Since the right-of-way is almost always larger than the actual surface of a City street, it <br />is also not uncommon for applicants to be uncertain of where the right-of-way ends and <br />their property begins, which is crucial for front setback variance requests. Requiring a <br />survey ensures a higher level of accuracy that reduces the possibility of errors related to <br />lot dimensions. lot line location, lot coverage, and setbacks. <br /> <br />Requiring a professionally prepared survey does add additional cost to the homeowner; <br />however it allows for a higher level of accuracy and helps to ensure that development <br />projects are implemented as proposed. It also assists in protecting the City from <br />lawsuits associated with encroachment on private property. Additionally, a survey with <br />topographic information is very helpful in determining if a property has an actual <br />