05-13-1991 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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If I I; James A. and Patricia M. Mitchell 2685 North Shore OrTV« Vayzata, Minnesota 55391 March 12, 1991 • % % MAR 12 .1831 ^ 4 Orono Planning Cenaaission Crystal Bay, Ninnasota 55323 Ra: §1626 - Tia and Bath Traff variance application 26B3 North Shora Drive Ladies and Santlaaan: On March IB, 1991 you will be asked to consider a side yard setback variance raQuastad by Tin and Bath Traff for construction of a new residence at 2683 North Shore Drive, next door to our residence at 26B5 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 ooBase your granting this variance, to point out three factu- al inucuraeles In the Traff s' application and to explain why we think the variance reguested 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 net approve or the Treffs' proposed plans, we did not even see the pi MS until after they wore nled 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 horns. There Is no crowding or encroaching on the neighboring hoams.* Hhlle the current small house at 2683 North Shore Drive does not necessarily enhance our property, putting a different, larger (In volume) house sJjUic to ours obviously will detract from the value of our property, not onhance It. The third Inaccuracy In the application Is the suggestion that Orono will cause the Treffs a hardship If Orono does not grant this vari ance. 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 2984 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 ologance of our home and this area. Me treasure Orene*s rolling 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,