11-10-2009 Council Work Session Packet

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0 MEMORANDUM I1-10-09 Work Session To: Mayor and City Council From: Mike Gaffron, Asst. City Administrator Date: November 4, 2009 Subject: Disposition of Tax Forfeit Lots at 1245 Arbor Street Attachments: A - Area Map B - Airphoto of Site C - Resolution No. 1798 (July 8, 1985) D - City letter to prior owner (February 4, 2005) E - Analysis of Excerpts from MS 462.357 Subd. 1 e Nonconformities, Parts (d) thru (j) F - Sketch of Site Buildability G - Hennepin County Taxpayer Services Info Packet Zoning District: RR-1B Single Family Rural Residential, 2 acre minimum - These lots are also in the Shoreland Overlay District Lot Dimension/Areas: East Parcel (abuts Arbor St/Minnetonka Ave): 100' x 140' (13,898 sf per HennCo) = 0.32 ac. West Parcel (abuts Briar St/Minnetonka Ave): 100' x 140' (13,734 sf per HennCo) =0.32 ac. Total area of both parcels = 0.64 acres Hennepin County has requested that the City determine the appropriate disposition for two tax- forfeit parcels located on Minnetonka Avenue between Arbor and Briar Streets. These are the parcels directly north across Minnetonka Avenue from former Mayor Peterson's residence. The westerly parcel has long been vacant but held in common ownership with the east parcel for many years. The easterly parcel contained a residence and a detached garage which have both been removed in recent years; the house as a result of a fire in 2004, the garage removed later by action of the City. Staff will confirm whether any outstanding assessments are due when responding to the County. The two tax forfeit parcels are each 100' in width and 140' in depth, each being comprised of two 50'wide lots. Homes in the Crystal Bay neighborhood are on lots ranging from 0.1 acre to 2+ acres in area. The minimum width and area requirements of the RR-1B District are 200' and 2.0 acres respectively. In 1985 when the City brought sewer to this neighborhood it was determined (Attachment C) that only one sewer unit would be assessed in total for these two parcels, recognizing the nonconformity of the commonly owned parcels relative to the current zoning. The zoning has not changed. Building a new residence on the property today, whether on one parcel or a combination of the two parcels, would require a lot area variance. Attachment D (February 2005 letter to prior owner) details the variety of zoning requirements that would have to be met in order to build on the property.