03-17-1977 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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� RESC�HEDLUED ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD ASARCH 17 , 1977 Page 11 � � rights of the City and the problems of obtaining GARY PETERSEN clear title. Mr. Petersen cannot afford an 3545 Ivy Place � �ditional $10 , 000 plus for this land or the (Continued) 3ditional time before he can get clear title. � This property is not readily available now and • may never be available for purchase. � As stated earlier, the property had been platted over 80 years before the zoning restrictions � were adopted. The property is the largest lot in the subdivision and is the only lot which is • not developed. Prior to 1976 , Mr. Petersen' s predecessor in title could have built a house on � the property and there would have been no � restrictions in the sale of the dwelling and land to Mr. Petersen. Should r4r. Petersen � be penalized for the failure of his predecessor in title to build on the property? � The uniqueness of the property is also demonstrated i by the fact that the property has been assessed for sewer and water. Implicit in an assessment � of this nature is a finding that the lot is + buildable. If the lot is unbuildable, the assess- ment is invalid. • Of primary concern in the granting or denial of • -�y variance, aside from the hardship to the owner, � � the interest of the City. Factors to consider in analyzing the City' s interest are the welfare � of the community and the City' s planning ojectives. � The welfare of the community can only be enhanced by allowing Mr. Petersen his variance. To deny � the variance would be to sterilize the property. Since the property would be unbuildable, taxes and • special assessments would be unpaid. If the variance were granted, a dwelling would be placed on the � property and the taxes and special assessments would � be paid. The tax base for the City would be increased to the benefit of the community. Moreover, � the house Mr. Petersen plans to build on the property is a quality house which would increase the property � value of the surrounding lots. • Not only would the variance enhance the welfare of the community, but it would have no adverse effect. Since � sewer and water are in, there would be no pollution � or environmental concern. It obstructs no one' s view of the lake. In fact, the houses across the alley � all face the lake and most have their garages and fences along the alley. Mr. Petersen has spoken with � everal of the neighboring property owners and none �ve expressed any concern or ojections about his proposed house. (Continued) y, � � i