PCP 11-01-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- . ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION -OCTOBER 4, 2006 3 . Brad Lis, 1548 Arden Place West, stated his main hardship was that the site had three big oak trees sitting in the middle where the driveway would be. He stated they wanted to preserve the trees and make two 15- foot openings instead of one 30- foot opening. He believed his driveway would fit into the character of the neighborhood. He stated they consider the crushed rock an improved finish and it did say crushed rock in the plans they submitted. He noted the crushed rock matched the house also. He stated the crushed rock they put in was tightly compacted and does not move. He recommended the City amend the Ordinance to approve gravel as an approved surface. Commissioner Modesette asked if the original driveway was on the same site with the old house. Mr. Lis responded the driveway was on the other side. Commissioner Modcsette asked why they did not extend the width of the driveway to the street to the west. Mr. Lis responded there were trees on that side also. Commissioner Modesette noted they could turn around without having the "wing" out into the road. Mr. Lis responded they had considered that, but the symmetry was one of the things they liked about it; it flowed nicely. Commissioner Larson asked if one tree had been removed. Mr. Lis responded the City cut one oak down as part of the street reconstruction, which they were not happy about. . Commissioner Sand asked if the curb cuts were being put in where the westerly driveway was located. Mr. Lis responded they had not been put in yet. Chair Sand asked when the home was completed. Mr. Lis responded it was completed in the fall of 2003. He stated they did the entire driveway at the same time and at the time, they did not know they could not have two curb cuts. He stated they did not "sneak" in the second driveway. Commissioner Larson asked when they moved in, was all of the grading done. Mr. Lis responded everything was done, except the sod had not been put in. Commissioner Zimmerman asked in the plans that were submitted to the City, was it a single or dual access driveway. Mr. Lis responded a single assess driveway was shown. Commissioner Larson asked if the crushed rock was on the plans as submitted. Mr. Lis responded it was. Chair Sand invited anyone for or against the request to come forward and make comment. Bill Thornton, 3510 Siems Court, stated he supported these variances. He noted the neighborhood was not a "cookie cutter" or new development and it was an eclectic . neighborhood. He indicated the housing types, lot shapes, etc. were all different. He