02-11-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 22, 2019 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 2 2. LA18-000087 ROBERT BROOK, 1165 FERNDALE ROAD WEST, VARIANCE, 6:38 P.M. – 6:47 P.M. Robert Brook, Applicant, was present. Barnhart stated the applicant is requesting a variance to allow a 6-foot tall privacy fence to be constructed in the side street yard between the two driveway entrances. Ferndale Road is a local street, and per City Code, a maximum of a 42-inch tall fence is allowed. Staff finds the request to be reasonable. While not a county road or state highway, Ferndale Road is a busy street that connects Orono to Wayzata’s downtown area. City Code would allow for a 6-foot fence in this location if the home was located on a major thoroughfare. The applicant has stated the high volume of traffic and use of the road has created a burden on the property. The shape of the lot is also unique compared to its neighbors in the shape and location of the principal structure sitting close to the right-of-way where separation could improve safety conditions for the property. The questions the Planning Commission should discuss the intent of the fence setbacks to determine if the proposed fence location is in harmony with the intent of the Ordinance and they should consider the impact of the proposed fence upon the neighborhood as well as existing and anticipated traffic conditions. Barnhart stated it does seem reasonable that a 6-foot high fence be allowed given the level of traffic on Ferndale Road. Lemke asked whether the fence on the western side of the property is existing and is also a 6-foot fence. Barnhart stated that fence can be six feet high and that the variance is only being requested for the proposed fence in the front yard setback. Thiesse asked whether Staff has any traffic numbers. Barnhart indicated he is not aware of any numbers and that he can check with Wayzata to see whether there have any traffic counts for the road. Thiesse stated if the high amount of traffic is the reason for the variance, he would like to see some documentation of that. Todd Irvine, Landscape Architect, stated the property owner is unable to be here tonight. The proposal is pretty straight forward. The house is very close to the intersection of County Road 15 in addition to being located on a busy road. There is also a large gravel leftover area that people use to park when they go for walks or bike on the trail. Part of the reason for the fence is to attenuate the noise from Ferndale and also provide some privacy from the cars parking in that gravel area. Irvine noted the right-of-way on Ferndale is a little wider than a normal right-of-way and that it is 22 feet from the edge of the road back to the proposed fence location. Irvine stated in his view it will not impact cars visually as they drive down Ferndale. There are also fences and hedges much closer to the street further down the street than what is being proposed here and it is in character with the rest of the neighborhood.