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<br />Request by Lafayette Woods Subdivision Association for Variance <br /> <br />The Lafayette Woods Subdivision Association is requesting of the City of Elk River, a variance <br />to Land Development Regulations, Section 30-866, Item 8, which states: "One permanent area <br />identification sign per neighborhood, subdivision, or development, not to exceed 16 square feet <br />in the sign area." <br /> <br />1) We believe the hardships caused by enforcement of the ordinance include the following: <br />a) The property value of the homes near the County Road 1 entrance are affected by <br />comparison to the homes near the Proctor Road entrance; the Proctor Road side has a <br />sign at its entrance where the County Road 1 side does not. <br /> <br />b) A sign at the County Road 1 entrance would hopefully ward off speeding into the <br />neighborhood from that entrance. Because there is a distance between County Road 1 <br />and the actual entrance in to Lafayette Woods, at first glance drivers might not be aware of <br />their entering a neighborhood. An identification sign would alert drivers that they are <br />entering a residential neighborhood. <br /> <br />c) For those residents near the County Road 1 entrance, an identification sign would serve <br />as a landmark for providing directions, just as the sign does at the Proctor Road <br />entrance. Currently their is only the city street sign for Upland Avenue, which is somewhat <br />hard to see while driving down County Road 1, to serve as a landmark to this entrance. <br /> <br />d) Several homeowners purchased their homes near the County Road 1 entrance with the <br />understanding that a sign would be forthcoming at that entrance. <br /> <br />2) We believe the hardship existsJJecause the developer did not or could not follow through on <br />what was promised to homeowners. Our understanding, from discussions with city personnel, is <br />that the developer could have requested signage at each entrance when he submitted his plans <br />for development. <br /> <br />3) The literal application of the provisions of the ordinance deprives those homeowners who live <br />near and use the County Road 1 entrance the same rights enjoyed by those homeowners who <br />live near and use the Proctor Road entrance which has an identification sign. <br /> <br />4) The hardships are caused by the lack of foresight in planning for the subdivision and/or lack <br />of follow-through on promises to potential homeowners made when developing the subdivision. <br /> <br />5) Because the location of the sign is well off County Road 1, it would not adversely affect <br />County Road 1 by adding more signage to it. City residents would only be affected in positive <br />ways by having a directional landmark, as well as an esthetically pleasing entrance to view. <br />Great care has been taken to maintain both entrances to this subdivision. As can be seen by <br />the enclosed diagram of the proposed sign, this would be a well-built, well-thought out structure <br />to match that of the Proctor Road entrance. <br /> <br />If I can answer any other questions, please contact me. Thank you for your consideration. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Nancy Clusiau, on behalf of the Lafayette Woods Subdivision Association <br />274-0626 <br /> <br />;v <br />