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Gm a i l Prem Shunmugavelu<prem97@gmail.com>
<br /> (no subject)
<br /> Preen Shunmugavelu<prem97@gmai.cum> Men,Apr 8,2024 at 4:08 PM
<br /> Draft
<br /> City Council Meeting April 8: Proposed Variance For 797 Ferndale Road North Inbox
<br /> Ill Jennifer Grudnowski 12:04AM(16 O
<br /> to dwalsh2,Alisa mveach,mjohnson,rcrosby,Prem97 - hours ago) •
<br /> Dear Orono City Council Members,
<br /> We live at 793 Ferndale Road North and we are writing in regards to matter number LA24-000009,a variance request related to the property at
<br /> 797 Ferndale Road North.This matter is before the City Council on April 8,2024.We apologize for the short notice in sending this to you,but
<br /> we noticed that the information that we provided to the Planning Commission expressing our concerns about the 797 Ferndale property was
<br /> not included in the agenda packet for the City Council Meeting.We want to make sure that you hear our concerns about the variance before it
<br /> is voted upon.We thank you in advance for your consideration.
<br /> It is our understanding that the current issue before the Council is whether to permit a variance to the average lakeshore set back to allow for a
<br /> home to be built on the property.It is our understanding that the purpose of the average lakeshore set back is,at least in part,to preserve the
<br /> lake/wetlands and to protect sightlines to the lake for neighbors.We do not believe that these goals are achieved by allowing the variance to
<br /> the average lakeshore setback.First,all of the homes surrounding Lake Lydiard are set back from the lake.This would be the only home that
<br /> would be permitted to be built so close to the lake.If you have ever been to our neighborhood,and I would invite you to come and see it,the
<br /> fact that the homes are set back from the lake protects the wetlands around the lake as well as allows all of the current neighbors whose
<br /> homes face the lake to have direct views of it.This home would be an outlier and would change the entire look and feel of the lake and the
<br /> surrounding neighborhood.
<br /> It is also our understanding that in determining whether a variance should be granted the Planning Commission and the City Council will
<br /> consider a number of factors,one of which is the effect on property values.We believe that the building of this home,especially where it is
<br /> currently proposed to be built-100 feet from our home,directly in front of it-will negatively affect the property value of our home.When
<br /> we purchased our home in late 2020,we were aware that there was a vacant lot between our property and Lake Lydiard.However,when we
<br /> looked at the public property records,we saw that the entire lot was considered"non-buildable"because it was in-front of the average
<br /> lakeshore setback line.Thus,it was our understanding,based on the publicly available information provided by the City of Orono that this lot
<br /> could not be built upon.Further,our home is built to maximize the views of the lake.As you can see by the pictures that we will provide in a
<br /> separate email or tomorrow at the meeting,nearly all of the windows in our home face the lake.We have a number of large windows in our
<br /> living room and kitchen as well as a 3-season porch that is entirely made up of windows.Right now we enjoy views of the lake in winter and
<br /> trees in the summer.If the City Council allows this home to be built,we will instead have an approximately 3500 square foot(on one level)
<br /> home within 100 feet of our house blocking the lake and far fewer trees,if any,as the majority of the trees will need to be removed to build
<br /> the house.
<br /> We also understand that the City Council should ensure that allowing the variance would not alter the central character of the locality.We
<br /> believe that allowing this variance will alter the central character of our neighborhood.As mentioned above,the home will be the closest
<br /> home to the lake and is proposed to be 100 feet in front of our house.All of the homes in our neighborhood are quite spread out,which is part
<br /> of the charm of the neighborhood.We believe that this home would be the closest home to any other home in the neighborhood.But,
<br /> moreover,it would be the only home that is built directly in front of another home.All of the other homes are built next to each other and
<br /> allow for direct site lines to the lake or to other features of the neighborhood,if the home is not near Lake Lydiard.
<br /> Notwithstanding the above concerns,we believe that it is premature to make a decision on the average lakeshore set back before the
<br /> Minnehaha Water Shed District determines the demarcation line that would indicate where this house could be built,if at all.It is possible
<br /> that the Water Shed District will determine that the demarcation line is further from the lake than the proposed buyers have assumed in the
<br /> plans that they submitted,which would likely require that they make changes to their proposed building site.The variance is predicated on the
<br /> home being built based on the current submitted plans.We believe it would be more sensible to wait and see where the demarcation line is
<br /> before the variance is granted,especially if at least some aspect of the variance is dependent on that line.
<br /> In addition,it is our understanding that,as stated in the conclusions section of the proposed resolution for this variance,that the project shall
<br /> conform to the attached site plan and building plan submitted by the applicant.Again,we believe that it is premature to allow this variance
<br /> because the currently proposed septic plans do not conform with the Orono City Code.As you can see by the plans,the secondary septic field
<br /> location is proposed to be less than 5 feet from our property line,and is thus,out of compliance with the Orono Code,which requires that
<br /> any septic field be at least 10 feet from any property line.We believe that the variance should not be approved based on the submitted plans
<br /> because at least one part of the submitted plan,the septic field,is already out of compliance.Further,we have been told by city staff that they
<br /> know and the applicants know that the variance plans will need to be adjusted in the future to conform to the Orono code in regards to the
<br /> septic system.We believe that the applicants have the duty to show that they are in compliance with all of the Orono city codes before the
<br /> variance is granted.
<br /> We also have a number of concerns that do not relate to the average lakeshore set back.
<br /> First,we are concerned about the health of Lake Lydiard.We are concerned that there has not been a proper analysis by the Minnehaha
<br /> Water Shed District and any other agency that would have jurisdiction over the lake,to ensure that building a home so close to the lake would
<br /> not damage the lake or the wetlands.
<br /> Second,we are concerned about drainage issues that additional hard top on the 797 Ferndale Property could cause to our property.As you
<br /> can see by the pictures we submitted,the 797 Ferndale Property is low lying and the area on our property that abuts the 797 Property is as
<br /> well.When it rains,water pools up in certain locations on our property,one near the proposed driveway for 797 Ferndale and the other near
<br /> our fire pit,close to the proposed building site.This pooling of water occurs even with a relatively light rain fall(on April 7,2024,the day the
<br /> picture was taken,it rained 6/10 of an inch)and without any hard cover on the 797 Ferndale Property.We are worried that additional
<br /> hardcover will increase the pooling and create flooding on our property,especially near the proposed driveway.
<br /> Third,we are concerned that the construction will create a significant disruption for our family.As you know,there is nothing on the
<br /> property right now,thus the proposed purchasers will need to,at a minimum,build the house,dig a well,create a septic field and install
<br /> electrical lines and internet lines.This will be a substantial disruption to the peace and quiet of our neighborhood as well as the privacy of our
<br /> yard as heavy equipment for building and digging as well as for clearing trees will need to come down the shared driveway and across the
<br /> property.We share a driveway with the proposed purchaser so we will be subject to large construction vehicles coming and going on our
<br /> driveway,which is already in disrepair.Further,because of the wet conditions of the land on the 797 Ferndale Property,we expect that there
<br /> will need to be significant pilings put into the ground in order to ensure that the house does not flood.These pilings will likely cause significant
<br /> noise and may also cause the ground to shake.This will certainly affect the enjoyment of our home.
<br /> Fourth,we are also concerned about the likelihood that a number of trees,many of which are likely over 100 years old,will be removed
<br /> from the property.The lot is currently vacant and contains a number of very large trees,many of which are on the proposed building site.Of
<br /> course,these trees will have to be removed to build the proposed house.The Planning Commission did state that it would like to see additional
<br /> plans and information regarding the removal of the trees.We are not aware of the applicant submitting such information,but we urge the City
<br /> Council to ensure that they do and to consider this issue.
<br /> Lastly,as mentioned above,we are concerned that the proposed septic fields do not comply with Orono City Code.
<br /> Thank you again for your consideration of our concerns.We plan to be at the hearing on April 8 and would be happy to speak with you then,or
<br /> in the future,if you have any questions for us.
<br /> All the best,
<br /> Prem Shunmugavelu and Jennifer Grudnowski
<br /> 793 Ferndale Road North
<br /> Jennifer:314-322-7515,jennifergrudnowskiI gmail.com
<br /> Prem:202-486-8831,prem97@gmail.com
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