Laserfiche WebLink
Mr. McCarty's land appears not to be unique in this respect. The <br />Ordinance requires a.minimum of 100 feet of frontage (on a street) <br />for a shoreline zoning lot. Scaling the section map indicates a <br />frontage of approximately 172 feet. Scaling the lines on the air <br />photo (as drawn by Mr. McCarty) indicates a frontage of approximately <br />190 feet. You will notice, of course, that Mr. McCarty's westerly <br />boundary is out in the water inasmuch as Langton Lake is a nonmeandered " <br />lake. In any case, the property enjoys more than adequate frontage` <br />and appears not to be unique in the sense that additional property <br />is needed to be extended into the lake to satisfy a reasonable <br />occupancy of the land. <br />(3) The granting of the variance will not be contrary to the <br />public interest or damaging to the rights of other persons <br />or to property values in the neighborhood. <br />It would appear that in this.case the construction would be <br />contrary to the public interest inasmuch as it creates an artificial <br />shoreline visible from other properties and parts of the lake. One <br />of the specific purposes of the Ordinance was to protect the natural. <br />environment of the shoreline so as to enhance the aesthetic qualities <br />of the lake on a permanent basis. You are all aware that much of <br />the shoreline has been acquired by the City, and though portions <br />of the shoreline are in private hands, it would appear to <br />substantially impair the quality of the lake by permitting such <br />private property owners to extend the shoreline into the lake by <br />creating an articial wall as a substitute for the natural shoreline. <br />(4) No variance shall be granted simply because there are no <br />objections or because those who do not object outnumber <br />those who do; nor for any other reason than a proved <br />hardship. <br />It would appear in this case that no visible hardship can be proven, <br />It would appear to be a matter of simply extending the property <br />into the lake for the convenience of the land owner to the detriment <br />of the public interest. <br />We are aware that many of the neighbors are very concerned about the <br />proposed construction. Many of these same persons were active over <br />a period of years encouraging the City to adopt the Shoreline <br />a' <br />Ordinance following the enabling legislation adopted by the State" <br />Legislature. Mr. McCarty, himself, was one of the strong proponents <br />x, <br />of the Ordinan--e when it was initially established by the Council. <br />r <br />Having lived with the natural shoreline condition for these many <br />years, one wonders whether it is essential to change that condition' <br />at.this time. <br />i <br />