07-08-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LEONARD, STREET AND DEINARD PlOriSSIONAL ASSOCIATION June 13,2002 Eric H. Galatz 612-335-1509 eric.gaIatz@leonard.coni HAND DELIVTRED Orono Planning Commission c/o Paul Weinberger ^ Zoning Administrator/Planner City of Orono 2750 Kelley Parlway Crystal Bay, MN 55323 Re: Stephenson Application for Amendment of CUP and Variance at 1850 Fo.x Ridge Road Dear Planning Commissioners: We represent Richard Chalfen who resides at 350 Brown Road South in connection with the referenced application by Mr. and Mrs. Revis Stephenson III for an amendment to a conditional use permit (CUP) and variance at their property at 1850 Fox Ridge Road. The amendment to the CUP and after-the-fact variance requested by the Stephensons are completely unacceptable under City ordinances and other governing law and we therefore urge the City Planning Commission to reject the Stephenson ’s application and order restoration of the property consistent with the terms of the existing CUP. The Background Facts Disclose the Stephensons * Persistent Failure to Follow Terms and Conditions of Existing Permits and a Prior Stop fTork Order We have previously written several letters to the City to express Mr. Chalfen ’s serious concerns about the Stephensons ’ obvious violations of the CUP, City ordinances, and other laws. Unfortunately, despite Mr. Chalfen ’s efforts to ensure that the Stephensons are made to comply with applicable conditions, ordinances and other laws, Mr. Chalfen has seen no improvement in the Stephensons ’ troubling activities. As our previous letters and the enclosed Affidavit of Richard Chalfen demonstrate, the Stephensons have, since their filling and grading project began, heeded few, if any, of the terms of conditions attached to the CUP and have flat-out ignored a Stop Work Order. Even more troubling, the Stephensons have conducted extensive finishing work (e.g., seeding in grass and replanting trees on the filled grade) even after repeated notiflcations by the City that the Ailing and grading work had to be corrected. This irresponsible and cavalier pattern of behavior is offensive to the City ’s authority and has simply aggravated the degree of damage to the environment and to neighboring properties. Mr. Chalfen trusts that if the Stephensons complain 150 South Fium Strikt Suiti 2500 Minniafolis, Minnesota sS40i Til 6i2-33s«I500 Fax 6ii-335-i657 LAW QIIICIS IN MINNIAFOLIS, lAiNT PAUL, MANKATO, SAINT CLOUD AND WASHINGTON, D.C. 2226428vI www.lionaid.com