05-26-1987 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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t;` 'H, S-t9-87 August 4, 1986 Mr. Neil rurray ,��+' '4X On Your Behalf KSTP-TV 3415 University Ave, W. St. Paul, MN 55114 Ueac Mr. Murray: My name is Ward P. Ferrell and I reside at 3405 Watertown Road, Long Lake, in the City of Orono. I am 63 and my wife is 64. I am writing about a problem my wife ana I are havirg with the City of Orono in trying to bi '.d our retirement home. In 1948 bought a home with a little over four acres of land. Then in 8 we decided to build a second home. I first went to George Hansen, the City Assessor, in August of that year to get a building permit. I was informed, at that time, I needed to go in- stead to the City Council. When I met with the Orono City Council all council members were in favor of approval of my request for a buildirg permit except Mr. Bagley. The reason for his not approving ray request had something to-do with having two homes on one piece o` -operty. BUS at that time this was a common practice in this ar The motion wa6 tabl- ed at this meeting until the city could c ' their lawyer. Mayor Herb Ross, now deceased, said that he would get back to me. By the end of SeptelTILer I had not heard from the City Council, so I contacted Nor. Ross and told him I -ould wait no longer and had to start building. About 2-3 weeks later Mayor Ross called and said I could pick up my building permit. Also at this time, Mayor. Ross asked if I would consider dividing the property in order to avoid _`uture trouble. My wife and I decided to divide the lard as Mayor Ross requested. The building code requirement for lot size in 1958 was one acre. The City Assessor, George Hansen, told me that the lot width size requirement was 140 feet. Mr. Hansen also knew that the shade of the property was triangular. Here is how the four acres were divided in 1958: The land was divided at 150 feet (west lot) because of the sewer.. One acre plus - 140 feet, one acre plus - 140 feet, almost one acre with road, which was common practice. Then263 feet (far east lot) with the small end of the triangle. All four lots nave an abstract title and are registered in Hennepin County. If Mayor koris were now li tngs I 3m sure he would be able to verify the conversations and the c-1 nts at the time I divided the property.