05-18-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Robert D. Erickson 847 Tonkawa Road Orono, MN 55356 May 18,1998 Chair Smith and Orono Planning Commission Members, Thank you for the opportunity to express my concerns regarding the request for variances at 365 Westlake Street. Last year 1 purchased the property across the street at 372 Westlake Street 1 was aware, at the time of purchase, that the Westlake Street area was zoned LR-1 A, which specifies a two acre minimum lot size, and that a former owner of my property, Loren Bruggeman, was denied in his application for two one acre lots in 1996. For the last several months, I have been working on a new plan for this property with the goal of not requiring any variances. My wife and 1 have recently leased the home at the address above. Our plan was to live on Tonkawa until our new home on Westlake Street was complete. With this background, 1 was more than a little surprised to learn a few days ago that staff would consider approval of a new house on this sueet on a .22 acre lot, resulting in a density four times that which was denied Bruggeman. In reference to the staff report dated May 14, I can find no mention under " Pertinent Standards " of the requirement for a 50 foot Front Street Setback (East) requirement per LR-1 A standards, nor any existing or proposed dimensions for either the Principal Structure or the Accessory Structure regarding the setback from Westlake Street For neighboring property owners, this setback is probably the most critical in terms of the visual impact Ihe stated hardship," constraints of lot size," did not deter the applicant from buying the property in 1991, and was probably reflected in the purchase price. Only now that they want a bigger house docs the lot size become a" constraint." 'Ihc applicant has not met the criteria for undue hardship for the following reasons: 1. The property ggn be put to a reasonable use if used under conditions allowed by official controls.