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From:Steve Gerber[mailto:sw�.�erber@�mail.coml Sent:Tuesday, February 13,201811:38 AM To:Christine Mattson<CMattson@ci.orono.mn.us> Cc:Jeremy Barnhart<jbarnhart@ci.orono.mn.us>; Richard Crosby<rcrosbv@ci.orono.mn.us>; Denny Walsh <dwalsh2@ci.orono.mn.us> Subject: Re: 30 Orono Orchard Road N/permit#2016-00950 Hi Christine, I was quite surprised and confused by your recent email. In your email you said, "When the weather permits (after the snow melts) an inspector will visit the site to confirm the survey accurately depicts the conditions on the ground and that any disturbed areas have been established with vegetation." We talked last fall and you said you needed an as-built to verify what I understood was needed to complete the process and get my deposit back. Nothing was mentioned about an additional inspection of the property. If so, can you tell me why you did not have this inspection done before the snow was here? I was led to believe that the as- built was the last step. I paid a licensed professional to accuratQly depict the cq�ditions.�ow is it that I was _ required to have this done if it is not valid? U/� �� vP�� 7 �j✓�w��` � ��t a�vr/afro-�+ Bear with me as I recap the arduous process I was required to go through and how I feel I was taken advantage of: 1. I applied for a simple permit to add a 26x30 detached garage on our three acre parcel. I provided a survey that demonstrated our entire property and the footprint of the proposed garage. � 2. I was told the survey was not good enough. Plus I was also told I needed to provide a plan for an altemate septic system. Given the circumstances, three acres, plenty of land, I asked why this was necessary. I was told everyone has to do it. ��pl, �'Po� J��rPc� �,�� -��p��l�c C�,��'S � H4�- �J� �ary� �".� 4��°�. �a��,,�y��'�S I'd like to challenge the city to consider each circumstance and only add these requirements if they make sense.�n my situation, it required a delay and a $750 additional expense. I think it's common knowledge that 90+ percent of failed septic systems including drain fields are repaired not abandoned. Plus with as much land as I have, if the . need ever does arise, this alternate site could have been dealt with at that time. Again, can the city implement some common sense into its requirements rather than blanket requirements? � �°��"3 3. After getting the alternative septic system plan and permit application submitted, it took mont for me to get the approved permit. I understand the plan reviewer was on vacation for a week, but not multip eeks for your department to accept the plan. If you recall, after several unreturned emails, I finally came into city hall and told the ladies at the desk I was there to get my permit and that I would wait until it was completed. I was told someone would come out and talk to me. Unfortunately, there was a lack of courage by your department because after 15 minutes the ladies at the desk brought everything to me without explanation and without a visit from you. I signed the paperwork and on it, it said I would provide an as-built when the job was completed- per your request. I did not agree with this request but I signed it anyway because I did not have a choice. I was behind on my project starting, it was fall and I had work obligations that required me to leave town for an extended period. Shame on me for not arguing that my survey with the"penciled in"detached garage was enough. I just could not afford any more time fighting city hall. 4. After my final inspection, I came back to city hall and asked for my deposit. I received a phone call from you asking for the as-built. As we discussed, I had provided a survey and didn't know what else the as-built would provide. I was told my survey only had a hand drawn location of the garage on it. My response was why couldn't the city inspector who did the final inspection simply verify that the drawing location was correct. You reminded me I agreed to an as-built. So I acquiesced at the cost of another$566 expense for me. 5. Imagine my surprise when I get your recent email telling me that there is another hoop I have to jump through (another inspection). Based on this new additional requirement, the as-built drawing was a complete waste of' money and time (two months). Once again, where is the common sense?Why the change of requirements?Why do you not honor a certified surveyors document if you require it? I am requesting an immediate return of my deposit money. No further property inspections are appropriate. No one looked at the site before I put up the garage, how can anyone now determine the condition of the site?The inspection will be completely arbitrary. And forgive me for being skeptical, but now I am expecting the worst, I am expecting another delay/requirement to be asked of ine (after you send someone out in April/May. I am expecting no one will come until I remind you. And I am expecting that this process will cost me additional money. I shouldn't have to remind you that the deposit is my money, not the city's. I am requesting an explanation why a common sense review of a project cannot be done instead of enforcing blanket requirements on all projects regardless of the size and scope of the project. z