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<br />ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - MAY 2, 2007 <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />C. PLANNING CASE #07-012 - VARIANCE; BARBARA MULLER; 1486 ARDEN <br />OAKS DRIVE <br /> <br />Mr. Lehnhoff stated the applicant was requesting a variance to construct a new attached <br />garage in front of the existing garage that will extend 20 feet into the 40 foot front yard <br />setback. Staff recommended approval subject to the following conditions: <br /> <br />1. The project shall be completed in accordance with the plans submitted as amended <br />by the conditions of approval. Any significant changes to these plans, as <br />determined by the City Planner, shall require review and approval by the Planning <br />Commission. <br />2. The applicant shall use best management practices (BMPs) to control erosion at all <br />times during construction. <br />3. Retaining walls greater than four feet in height shall be engineered and shall require <br />a building permit. <br />4. Unless deemed necessary by the City Engineer, the applicant shall not extend the <br />retaining walls into the public right-of-way. <br /> <br />He noted he had received two emails, one from Kathy Wehking, 1475 Arden Oaks Drive <br />dated May 2, 2007 stating: "I do not have issues with Barbara Muller adding/changing to <br />her garage as described in the Public Meeting Notice. They have taken a house that was <br />an eye sore, and made it into a beautiful home. I have no question that the changes made <br />to the garage will be just as nice. I agree the driveway is very steep and I believe the <br />former owners had an injury accident due to the driveway as well." The second email <br />was from: David and Nancy Beamish, 1377 Arden Oaks Drive, dated May 2, 2007 <br />stating: "We were sent a public meeting notice regarding the variance application to <br />construct a new two car garage @ 1486 Arden Oaks Drive. We do not think it should be <br />approved with this great of an encroachment on the regular 40 foot setback. We think it <br />will look bad going that close to the street. Can they revise their plans? (possibly <br />removing the original garage so that they could dig out under it to put in a new garage <br />with an addition on top?) I know it would cost more but 20 feet out seems to be <br />encroaching a lot on the setback." He stated he had also received a phone call from Janet <br />Kuhl, 1392 Arden Oaks Drive, in support of the variance. <br /> <br />Chair Sand stated he believed the safety issues had been addressed by the steps however <br />he was concerned about the encroachment issue and setting precedent. <br /> <br />Barbara Muller, 1486 Arden Oaks Drive, stated it has been difficult to get into and out of <br />her driveway in the winter due to the steepness. She stated she had spoken with some of <br />the neighbors and they were also concerned about the safety of her driveway. She <br />believed her proposal was the best resolution to address the safety issue. <br /> <br />Commissioner Modesette stated she was concerned about the encroachment request. She <br />acknowledged her situation was significant, but she believed there was an answer to deal <br />with the garage and not encroach so much into the setback. Ms. Muller responded she <br />