PCP 11-01-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION -OCTOBER 4, 2006 4 . noted right across from this gravel driveway was another gravel driveway, which had . been there for many years. He stated there were also other circular driveways with two accesses in the neighborhood. He stated there were also people who had turn arounds, as well as driveways that were three cars wide. He noted there was no conformity in that neighborhood now because it was not that kind of neighborhood and they did not want it to be that kind of a neighborhood. He believed the crushed stone and the dual access driveway fit into the neighborhood. He stated with respect to the hardship issue, they were undergoing major, major construction - they had lost a lot of trees - and the hardship was for the entire neighborhood. He stated if applicant could not have a decent size driveway he was concerned that the two trees would need to be cut down. He noted the two trees could also represent a rain garden for the City. He stated the neighborhood did not want to see those trees go and they would prefer to see a rain garden in this area. He believed the City needed to live by some of the uniqueness of the neighborhoods. He asked the City to approve both variances. Chair Sand closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. Commissioner Larson asked Building Official Scherbel for the timeline. Mr. Scherbel reviewed the memorandum submitted. He noted there were still some building related issues that remained on this home. He indicated thc pernlit was for a single access driveway and staff was unsure of the time table for when the current driveway configuration was installed. Commissioner Modesette asked when the trap rock was put in. Mr. Lis responded it was . installed on September 4 and 5, 2003. Mr. Scherbel stated the last time the City was out there, the grading was not completed and a final inspection had not been completed. He noted the City had required other residents to change their dual access and to put in an impervious surface. Mr. Lis stated the crushed rock was on the building plans. He stated he had submitted the plans to the City. He indicated he did not know there were things still outstanding and none of the things were on the last inspection notice he received. Mr. Scherbel statcd he had personally contacted Mr. Lis two or three times to close out the inspection. Mr. Lis responded he did not remember receiving any messages from the Building Official. Chair Sand stated they had to look at if there was a hardship, what the plan said, and what the Zoning Ordinance required. Mr. Lis stated nobody told him the driveway had to be paved. Chair Sand stated there was no dispute that the plan he submitted did not show a two driveway access. Mr. Lis responded there was no dispute regarding that; his dispute was the requirement for a paved surface. .