04-22-1991 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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James A. and Patricia M. Mitchell 2685 north Shore Drive Uayiata, Minnesota 55391 March 12, 1991 mar 19 .isai ^ 4 Orono Planning Commission Crystal Bay, Minnesota S5S23 Me: 02626 - Tim and Beth Traff variance application 26B3 North Shore Drive Ladies and Centlemen: On March 18, 1991 you will be asked to consider a side yard setback variance requested by Tin and Beth Traff for construction of a new residence at 2683 North Shore Drive, next door to our residence at 2685 North Shore Drive. Since we will be out of town on March 18, 1991 we will be represented at the Planning Comission meeting by our attorney Robert Mitchell. The purpose of this letter is to tell you that we oDDose your granting this variance, to point out three factu al inaccuracies in the Traff s' application and to explain why we think the variance requested should not be granted. first, the application states "both neighbors on the east and west side of the house approve of our plans". That is not true. Not only do we not approve of the Traffs' proposed plans, we did net even see the plans until after they were filed with the city. Tim mentioned to us that he would be requesting a variance and told us that he would ask for a letter of approval. He never, however, asked us to sign such a letter. The second factual inaccuracy in the application is the statement that "There is no question that a new house in the middle of the property and using IS-foot variances enhances the land and neighbor ing hemes. There is no crowding or encroaching on the neighboring homes," Nhile the current small house at 2683 North Shore Drive dees not necessarily enhance our property, putting a different, laroer (in volume) house fiZflllC to ours obviously will detract from the value of our property, not enhance it. The third Inaccuracy in the application is the suggestion that Orono will cause the Traffs a hardship if Orono does not grant this vari- wet. Me are delighted that Tim and Beth are expecting a child, but suggest that they could simply move into the home that they own directly across the street if space is what they desire. In 1984 we bought one of the oldest homes in Orono. Since then we have worked and studied to maintain and preserve the historic charcter and natural elegance of our home and this area. He treasure OroM s nlling open spaces and wetlands and the 2-acre zoning which guards the openness and the lovely views of the lake from the street along the north side of Crystal Bay.