6.6. SR 09-20-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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13065 Orono Parkway Elk RIver, MN 55330 September 13, 2004 File: 824310]-0240 Ms. Michele McPherson Director of Planning City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 RE: WESTWOOD SHORES ADMINIS1RATIE SUBDIVISION Dear Ms. McPherson: As requested, we have reviewed the submittal for the proposed Westwood Shores Administrative Subdivision. The submittal consisted of a grading, drainage, and erosion control plan, a tree inventory, and a final plat all prepared by John Oliver & Associates, and dated August 26, 2004. Based upon our review and comments received at the staff review meeting, we would offer the following comments: 1. The site in question is a fairly large single-family residential lot located at the intersection of Concord Avenue and 188,}, Street in the Westwood Subdivision. The lot currently has a single-family residence on it. The proposal is to remove the existing home, subdivide the lot into two parcels, and build two single-family units with a zero lot line setback between them. The lot has frontage along Lake Orono, so it is generally sloping from Concord Avenue down to Lake Orono. There is approximately 20-22 feet of fall from the street to the shoreline. The site plan shows side-loaded garages with individual driveways entering off of Concord Avenue. Because of the terrain of the lot, Unit 1 has a retaining wall all along its driveway and west side of the structure. The retaining wall reaches a maximum height of 19 feet, just outside the garage area. The driveway is shown only 20 feet wide. We question whether this width provides enough room for maneuvering a vehicle into and out of a side-loaded garage with a significant drop- off just five feet outside the driveway. We would suggest that this area be looked at and additional width be provided in the driveway. Another consideration could be Phone: 763.635.1000 Fax: 763.635.1090 www.cLelk-rlver.mn.us