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� ti Melanie Curtis, Planner Direct 952.249.4627 Planning &Zoning Office 952.249.4620 2750 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 Email: mcurtisaC�.ci.orono.mn.us Website: www.ci.orono.mn.us From: Jim Kelly <jim.kelly6765 �gmail.com> Subject: 1855 Concordia Street escrow and hardship Date: July 9, 2015 at 3:48:40 PM CDT To: cmattsonCa�ci.orono.mn.us Christine, Last year, we went through the city council to get a CUP to sod our yard at 1855 Concordia St, Orono MN 55391. Our names are Jim and Margaret Kelly. The sod is complete, as well as all of the required landscaping from the city council hearing. The hearing was September 29, 2014. We have paid several bills(around$800)to the engineer for site inspection and review of plans, and believe that the process is complete.We were required to have our property surveyed&staked ($1800). We were required to have the changes the city engineer wanted made to our property platted by a civil engineer at a cost to us of$300. We are asking that someone in the office review the following: 1) Our escrow payment of$2000.We paid $700 with the application, and then an additional$1300 after being approved for the CUP permit. I believe that this is likely able to be returned as the project is complete. 2)We are requesting that someone look into granting us a hardship on the permits that we paid for. Initially, we did not know that we needed a permit to smooth out and sod the yard.That was a mistake that we clearly own.We paid a $100 minor land alteration permit, with an extra$100 after the fact fine. This was based on the direction from Melanie and the City Engineer,when they visited our house.We had the landscaper meet directly with the City Engineer to ensure they were exactly aligned on the scope of work.We received a stop work order and paid an additional $700 permit and a$700 after the fact fine to accomplish, based on the landscapers inability to follow his direction. We terminated the landscaper and hired a different one.The work is now complete. Melanie told us that we may request a hardship. It feels like we should not have to have paid $1600 in permits.We believe that the initial $100 should be considered, as well as the$700 after the fact fine. We understand now that we needed a permit to smooth and sod the yard.When we purchased the home in January of 2014,we had no idea that we did not have a yard.We also did not understand as spring approached,that the cost to meet the expectations of the city would be above$25,000 to get grass and the required landscaping. It has caused a financial hardship to our family.We are asking that you review the$800 in extra permit fees. In hind sight, we should have requested the$700 CUP permit. Thanks for your time and consideration, Jim and Margaret Kelly 952-406-2234 2