CC_Minutes_2003_0428 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Dear l\1ayor Kysylyczyn and Roseville City Council, T e would like to start by saying that this variance process has been an emotionally exhausting experience for all uIvolved. Having said that, we need to clarify some points about POTENTIAL IMP ACTS made by our neighbor Dan Grundtner. Our family has outgrown our small bungalow and even smaller I car (barely) garage. We came up with a plan we thought would give us the needed space but still keep the essence of our house. We called the city to find out setback rules and made our neighbors aware of what we had planned. Knowing that we needed the space, they were receptive to our project. We hired a professional to transform our drawings into blueprints and refinanced our mortgage to take out the necessary funding. It was at this point that we found out the information from the city referred to new construction and not to OUR HOUSE and that we would need a variance. Then, much to our dismay, our neighbor Dan started having reservations about the project that he hadn't voiced on the previous occasions during our discussions with him. We were devastated. We have enjoyed a good neighborly relationship in the past, but we do not agree on the potential inlpacts on Dan and his property. The following is our assessment of the points Dan brought up at the April 2, 2003 Planning Commission nleeting. * Sun and view to the South of Dan's property Dan stated that our proposed garage addition would block the sun and his view to the South. Dan built a carport approximately 10 years ago on the South edge of his property. There are also 7 pine trees averaging approximately 25 feet high lining this edge of his property, which already obstructs Dan's view. (see photos #1, 2, & 3) Also, for about 10 YEARS, Dan parked a 30 'li ft., approximately 12 ft. high commercial Mack truck in his South driveway. (see photos #4 & 5 ) However, last fall the City required it to be removed. He constructed this driveway so he could park this truck off the street. This truck was parked there daily and blocked most of the uth view and sun from the front of Dan's house, until it was removed. It also blocked out view to the north during the same 10 year time frame. Additionally, even with the 24 foot variance there will be an additional 24 feet PLUS a 13-13 'li ft. boulevard for a total of almost 40 feet from the front of our garage to the street for sun and airflow. We feel our 24 foot deep, ] story garage would not block Dan's South view, sun or airflow any more than a 30 12ft. Mack truck didfor the past ]0 years. On a sinlilar note, Dan brought up some smaller points such as he liked to look out his front window at the neighborhood. He liked to watch for his father to drive up so he could start putting on his shoes and be ready to leave when his father arrived. He insinuated that because of our addition he would no longer be able to do this. The granting of this variance would in no way alter his ability to watch for people to drive up to his home. With Garden being the main thoroughfare and our neighborhood constructed in a "U" shape with Dionne and Lindy, almost all traffic approaches from the North traveling South. This is the opposite direction as the addition we are proposing. Also, he mentioned to us that he put a window in his carport (see photo 6) so that when the sun is in just the right position, about 1 month a year, about 1 hour a day, on sunny days, he enjoys sunshine in his bathroom. And that he likes to see his house as he walks home from Rainbow. He can still see his house ifhe simply stays on the West side of the street instead of crossing to the East side. Tf'e do not feel our proposed garage will have an adverse impact on Dan concerning any of these issues. Mold problems in the roof Dan has had a problem with mold in his roof and is concerned that our addition would make it worse. By his own admission Dan has had this problem for years and has been working to remedy it. We feel the proposed -+tached garage will not impact this existing problem. Furthermore, the City Staff has strict drainage /quirements for such improvements and will require gutters to properly disburse rainwater. We also feel the pine trees shade his roof much more than the single story 2 car garage, given their height and conlpactness.