01-20-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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OF)NOfO\^B.6 1998 City of Orono Planning Commission October 21,1997 3229-B Casco Circle Wayzata, MN 55391 Dear Commissioners, Thank you for your notification of tonight ’s consideration of the construction at the Silus residence at 3235 Casco Circle. Like many other residents around Casco Circle - some nearer the construction, some farther away from it, we feel that it presents some thorny problems. That the garage entry was designed with its opening the wrong way for the width of the lot, and that the deliberately raised elevation of the land has an impact on both the water run-off and local esthetics are both known facts. This is why the construction is on your agenda this evening. As a lifelong resident of Casco Point, I know that neighbors here treat neighbors with respect and affection. It makes Casco Point unique, and a delightful place to live and raise families. We therefore give the Silus’ the benefit of the doubt, and choose to blame the Bruce Bren Construction Company for having: a.) created these problems through poor design, OR b.) hidden from the neighbors intentions to raise the level of the lot above the level of the pre-existing home, OR c.) constructed the structure on a foundation which was not excavated and poured as per the plans, (OR a combination of these possibilities.) There is also a question of culpability in the office of the Orono Building Inspector, as construction has neither halted nor slowed as these problems appeared and took permanent shape. The question now is what can be done to correct the problems and to protect the long-time next door residents in the impacted property at #3233, Dave and Pat Spilseth. As an enthusiastic sidewalk superintendent I can draw several solutions -- fewer, no doubt, than could be created by a professional on the Bren design staff or the Orono Building Inspection Office, They require a spirit of consideration, a willingness to correct mistakes, teamwork, and, unfortunately, probably more than a little cash. What is clear, however, is that the Spilseths and other nearby residents should not be made to pay for the mistakes of their neighbors. Neither in damage to their lawns, gardens, driveway usability, views, nor expenses. We will all be very interested in your resolution of this situation. Thank you, Susan Smith Swanson