6.2. SR 11-17-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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To:/~;-~EIk River City Council Fr(~. ~Art and Debbie Johnson Date: November 4, 1997 Subject: Request for variance to build a garage On October 28, 1997 1 appeared before the Elk River Planning Commission to request a 23 foot variance to the front setback of our property to build a garage. I presented to them the information that is outlined in the Memorandum prepared by Brady Halversen, Planning Intern. Once we completed our request and answered a couple of questions, the public hearing portion ended and the Planning Commission discussed the situation and made the decision to deny our request. The main reason given for denying the request was the fact that we own a relatively large lot, and the garage could be built on the northwest side of the lot, in the area that is marked with the broken lines. Since their recommendation came after the public hearing had ended, we did not have an opportunity to explain that their recommendations would not work due to the reasons listed below. 1) The garage would be placed in an area that would be less aesthetically pleasing to to our neighbors. 2) The buried natural gas lines and telephone lines are in the location of what would be the driveway and we would not want to pave over them in case of a future problem. 3) The drain field is currently located where the garage and driveway would be placed, and would not wish to build anything on top of that area. 4) An electric utility pole is located in the area that would become a driveway to the new garage. 5) one head move the We would be forced to destroy a portion of the sprinkler system by placing the garage over and the driveway over another head, and I would have to have an irrigation specialist sprinkler heads west of the proposed garage and driveway. 6) A bed of ten rose bushes and peonies would be covered by the driveway. 7) The location of shrubs and rhubarb would have to be changed. 8) A second driveway would have to be constructed and it would take up a large amount of green space in our yard. We take pride in our home and yard an we spend a great deal of time in maintaining both. We strive to make our property attractive and pleasing not only to ourselves, but to our neighbors as well. We feel that we have arranged our yard and landscaped it in a way that is pleasing to the eye and have made an environmentally appropriate use of the space. All of the above reasons would cause more problems than varying the setback at the front of the yard. We truly believe that the location we have suggested is the most sensible location, is the most aesthetically pleasing, and is n the best interest of ourselves and and our neighbors.