06-14-1993 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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3) 'Fhe City Council should us'* the same standards of hardship in the case of Jack Remien's lot as they do in all variarces issued. In this case, the property to the north, prior to the Bielke's ownership, createu »he current situation by selling off the lot as a buildable lot, one which has more value than a non-buildable lot. And through the next ownerships, from Tuttle to Smith to Mertz and tij-n to Mr Remien, this lot was sold as a buildable lot always commanding a higher price th.u. if it were not buiidable. The ordinances say that a hardship exists when the situation of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the proi^erty, and not created by the landowner. Mr Remien did not create this situation, but in fact, the lot to tlie north which is currently the Bielke residence originally created this situation - it is ironic that this property i;> the very one fighting it. 4) The Bielkes should not receive the financial reward for having a non>buildable lot next to their property. The Bielkes purchased their property with notice that a variance had previously been given. Even while the Bielkes owned their property, two such variances were given; it is thus evi..ent that the price that the Bielkes paid for their property reflected the buildable status of the Remien lot. Meanwhile, the price paid by the Remiens for their lot reflected the value of a buildable lot. By reversing the buildable status of the Remien lot, the City Council would unjustly enrich the Bielkes at the expense of the Remiens. / would like to address issues raised by neighborhood residents: SOIL EROSION - Jay Richardson, who lives two properties to the north, cited soil erosion as a problem in the area. The hill on Mr Richardson's property is located 150- 200 feet from the Remien property, and is adjacent to the Bielke property to the north. As you move south away from the Richardson property and nearer the Remien lot, the incline becomes much less steep. As a matter of fact, the Bielkes have stated in the fact sheet they show potential buyers of Jieir home that there has not been a soil problem on their property (copy enclosed). At their April 19 meeting, we gave the City Planners photographs taken of the hill on the Remien property. The photographs show no evident erosion problem. In addition, our home would be positioned 55-60 feet behind the hill, and would not disturb it. TRAFHC - Although traffic is a concern, the marginal increase in traffic caused by one home will be insinnificant. LOCALITY CHARACTERISTICS - The objection that granting a variance for this property would alter the essentia! characteristics of the locality is not justified. There are manv substandard lots in the area. Immediately south of the Remien property are two properties which are each 55 feet wide. Immediately north of the Bielke property is a 60 foot lot. similar to the Remien projwrty size. As you look at this neighborhood, there is a mixture of homes, some are newer and some are older. In many cases, our potential home would be equal to. or an improvement to the area. I've attached a copy of our conceptual home plans for your review.