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!\, Mateffy Engineering, Inc. 628 OLD HIGHWAY 8 N.W. NEW BRIGHTON, MN 551 12-7767 [651J 636-6166, FAX (651 J 636-2100 May 17, 2007 City of Arden Hills Attn: The Honorable Planning Conunission and City Council 1245 W Hwy 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5743 RE: Requested 30 foot setbacks for Hazelnut Park 3 Dear Planning Commission & City Council, On behalf ofMr. O'Meara, please consider this variance rcquest. Mr. O'Meara is requesting that he be allowed to have 30 foot front yard setbacks on his property as originally agreed by the City Council. His request is based on the following facts. I) Use of the property - The property needs 30' front yard setbacks to harmonize with the existing neighborhood (30' setbacks) and have adequate rear yards, for family activities. Smaller rear yards will prevent reasonable use ofthe property for single family units as previously approved by the City Council. 2) The need for the variance is caused by the challenging features of the land. The land has steep rear slopes on lots, 1,2,4,5,6,7 Block 1, wetlands in the rear on lots 7 & 9 Block 2, and lots 1 through 5 Block 2 are bordered in the rear by a City trail and Power line. 3) The requested deviation from the ordinance will still maintain the harmony of the neighborhood and intent of the City ordinance. 30 foot setbacks are quite common throughout many cities in Minnesota. 4) The requested variance will not allow any currently un-permitted land use in the subject property. 5) The variance requested will not alter the character of the City or the neighborhood. In fact it will help integrate the original phases of Hazelnut Park with the final phase by maintaining the same front yard setbacks and similar population density. 6) The requested variance is not for economic reasons. The variance is being requested to maintain the character ofthe neighborhood, allow reasonable use of the rear yards, and help buffer wetlands, steep rear slopes, City trail, and power transmission line. 7) The proposed use, subject to approval of the variance request, will be single family homes similar in nature to the homes in the original phases of Hazelnut Park. This type of housing is much less intensive than other uses also permitted by the current zoning. 8) Mr. O'Meara's would have developed the property differently had the City Council indicated 40' front yard setbacks would be required. Mr. O'Meara and his attorney believe that his original variance is valid as it specifically applies to an lots in the subdivision. WonUnl1m/ardeJ' hillslh<r.:elmflpIdOS_/6_07 I'r/o Ping r''''''mi<J'ity G.lI'''_''-'