03-28-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 14, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 17 of 37 9. #16-3803 STONEWOOD, LLC, ON BEHALF OF TASHITAA TUFAA, 1830 SHORELINE DRIVE, VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (continued) Flessner stated Orono is famous for granting variances for every little thing that comes up, which makes it difficult for the people who have lived there for many years. Flessner stated if you start adding up the value of these 16 properties, it is huge and is greater than what is being proposed for this corner lot. McMillan noted Hennepin County wanted to make County Road 15 four lanes and the City fought against that back in the 1990s. McMillan commented she cannot imagine what a four lane road would have done to the area. McMillan stated a lot of ideas have been discussed about County Road 15 over the years and that the City has worked closely with the County on those ideas. McMillan stated citizens do have a lot of input and that a number of citizens do not want stoplights on County Road 15. As a result of that, the residents have to deal with what is there today. Printup asked Mr. Winston to touch on the legal points that he mentioned he had now that the City Attorney is present. John Winston stated his observation of the last meeting was that the Council was more concerned about matters such as setback, hardcover, and the driveway but did not seem to touch on the variances that were being requested. Winston stated from a technical standpoint, the record did not seem to have anything in it denying the variances and that it seemed like the variances were a factor of the size of the lot and the width of the lot, which the homeowner does not have any control over. Winston stated from a legal standpoint, it seemed to him that they had that covered that and that the applicant has lessened the encroachment until the setback since that time. Winston stated there did not seem to be anything in the record that the Council would deny those variance. Winston stated from his personal observation, the site seems to work extremely well from a safety standpoint in that people would not have to back out into the street. Winston stated his car does not have a backup camera and that it is a safety concern. The proposed design takes parking off the street. Winston stated when he comes to that site, he is more likely to park onsite when there is a circular driveway. Not having the two curb cuts would exacerbate the situation. Winston stated he is familiar with this builder’s work and that he has seen a number of homes he has handled. Winston stated he would like the neighbors understand that what will be constructed here will be a nice looking building and that the Tufaa’s have hired a first-class builder. Winston commented he would be lucky to have this home in his neighborhood and that he would like to assure the neighbors that the builder constructs quality homes and it will be landscaped. Winston reiterated he did not see anything in the prior record that would support a denial of this application and that they have done their best to make this design the very best for the lot. Walsh stated in his view Mr. Winston was watching another year’s video because the Council did have issues with the curb cuts and that they did not see that as a practical difficulty since the property owner knew he was buying a corner lot. Walsh indicated he raised issues with the setback and that due to those issues he asked that it be redesigned. Walsh stated he wants to set the facts straight and that he did have an issue with the practical difficulties since they knew they were buying a corner lot.