06-11-07 Item 7C, PC 07-012, Variance at 1486 Arden Oaks Drive

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Barbara Miiller 1486 Arden Oaks Drive Arden Hills, MN 55112 May 30, 2007 To Mayor Harpstead and Councilmembers Grant, Holden, Holmes and McClung Re: Application for a Variance from the Setback Requirement for 1486 Arden Oaks Drive Dear Mayor Harpstead and Councilmembers: I am requesting a front-yard setback variance for my property at 1486 Arden Oaks Drive to construct a new attached garage in front ofthe existing garage as shown on the attachments. The new garage would extend 20 feet into the 40 foot front yard setback area. The Planning Commission has recommended denial of the variance and I respectfully request that you grant the variance despite such recommendation. My existing north-facing driveway is very steep, with a grade of approximately 16%. In his report to the Planning Commission, the City Planner mentioned that according to the City Engineer standard engineering practice for new residential development would nowadays limit driveways to no more than a ten percent grade. The steep, North-facing slope of my driveway creates a significant safety hazard for me and for people and automobiles on my street. Many times during the winter, despite diligent efforts to keep my driveway clear, I am unable to stop my car after exiting the garage and before running into the street. Although I check the street carefully before getting into my car to exit the garage, there have been several times when a pedestrian or a car has entered the area at the end of my driveway after I have checked. My house is located close to the exit of Arden Oaks Drive to Old Snelling; there is only one other property between my house and Old Snelling. On the other side of my property, Arden Oaks Drive curves around; there is also only one property on the other side of the street before this curve. The steep increase of my driveway creates a wider than usual blind angle for any driver going down my driveway. During fair weather conditions, a slow and careful exit from my garage and down the driveway makes it possible to prevent any injury to pedestrians, or any accidents with cars passing by, that may have been hidden or may have come into Arden Oaks Drive while a car goes down my driveway. However, any precipitation at temperatures around 32 degrees or lower turns the driveway into an ice track that can only partially, if at all, be controlled by means such as traction grit or ice melting liquids. The North-facing driveway ensures the longevity of any such ice build-up during Minnesota winters. Driving down the driveway under such conditions makes a slow and careful exit from the garage often impossible because cars cannot be controlled on the lower part of the driveway and simply slide into the street.