10-15-2007 Planning Commission Packet

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Page 2 of,5 Y 0 The Orono Fire Department would also like a circular driveway for emergency vehicles at the current width of the driveway. Building Objectives ' ' I set my goals at the beginning of the process to do four things.0 I wanted to develop a plan that: 1. Was better for Lake Minnetonka and the environment. 2. Would be supported and embraced by my neighbors. � 3. Would fit in and be appropriate for the site and the neighborhood. � 4. Would allow me to improve my property and take it from the 50's to fit today's lifestyle. I believe that we have developed design options that accomplish the above as witnessed by: � 1.0 Better For The Lake � � Doug Grann, Executive Director of Wildlife Forever, a national not for profit group headquartered in Minnesota,has stated in a letter that the rain garden elements developed as part of the new plans will significantly reduce runoff and benefit the lake.❑ I also worked with the DNR to develop their lakeside vegetation plan and following that work a few years back, added a significant amount of shoreline vegetation to my property.❑ With almost 600 feet of shoreline, rain gardens will be a significant benefit to Lake Minnetonka. � 2.Neighborhood Support D I believe that virtually every neighbor that can see my home has contacted the city via phone, email, or letter, voicing strong support for my plans.❑ I have reviewed the plans with all of my neighbors to be sure that they were supportive of what I wanted to do.❑ We made a special effort in drafting the plans to make sure that the plans would not in any way block anyone's view or be a negative in any way.❑ I know to-date positive support for the plans have been expressed by the Gays, Ogles, Littles, Echtenkamps, Rosie Iverson, John Watson, Bryce Peterson and the Becks.❑ I know of no negative . comments from the neighbors regarding my plans. 3. Site and Neighborhood Appropriate ❑ We concentrated on making the design consistent with the current look and feel of the house and the neighborhood.❑ In the first Planning Commission meeting, Commissioners Kempf and Kroeger indicated that they felt the plans were consistent with the neighborhood and not excessive.❑ Over the years, the vast majority of properties in the neighborhood have been updated and expanded, as I am proposing.❑ Even with the expansion,the structural hardcover will be well under the 15%maximum. 4. Modernizing The Property ❑ Most of my home is still a 1950's rambler.❑ I do not want to turn it into a mansion, but merely add amenities and features consistent with today's lifestyle.❑ The designs provided would allow me to add features not envisioned in the 1950's such as a main level bathroom, expanded kitchen, multi-purpose entertainment space, and expanded garage. ' Issues Throughout the process these are the primary issues that we have been working to address: ❑ Boathouse . � ❑ Hardcover � Driveway A summary of these issues is as follows: 10/11/2007