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<br />Case #4: <br /> <br />Public Hearing - Request for a Home Occupation Permit to Operate a <br />General Contractor Business on a Residential Parcel; Case of Mark Lofgren <br /> <br />Public Hearine: <br /> <br />Chairperson Levine called the public hearing to order at 8:59 p.m. <br /> <br />Presentation <br /> <br />Planning Manager Miller presented the Staff Report <br /> <br />Citizen Input <br /> <br />James Fennick, 16550 Flourine Street, is opposed to this home occupation permit. His concerns <br />are safety of children walking or riding bikes in the street, and a commercial business in the <br />residential area. <br /> <br />Roger Anderson, 5421 165th Lane, is concerned about the retail value of his home with a <br />commercial business in the residential area, damage the heavy equipment and trucks will do to <br />the pavement of the streets, the lack of screening from the road, and safety of the children. <br /> <br />Carol Beberger, 5500 165th Lane, is concerned of the property value of her home, and that others <br />in the neighborhood would also want to have a construction business out of their homes and then <br />it would be a commercial area rather than a residential area. <br /> <br />Mark Lofgren, 16507 Germanium Street, the applicant, stated he has been in the business for six <br />years.. The equipment, except the white curbing trailer, has been at his son's house until last fall, <br />once his son gets a new house on a larger parcel of land the equipment would be removed from <br />this property. <br /> <br />Commissioner VanScoy asked about the quantity of equipment and the materials being stored on <br />the property. <br /> <br />Mr. Lofgren stated there are seven pieces of equipment. The material is dirt that was brought <br />back from a job. There might be a little bit of concrete and sod in the pile. The pile will be <br />disposed of. He started to put up a fence last fall, but was told to stop until the home occupation <br />issue was resolved. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding the allowable driveways and setbacks on the property. The City of <br />Ramsey does not enforce private covenants. <br /> <br />Planning Manager Miller stated this lot does not meet the definition of a comer lot as it is not an <br />intersection of two streets. It would be considered an irregular shaped lot. <br /> <br />Chairperson Van Scoy stated his concern is the amount of equipment and that the Commission <br />has been talking about limiting the visibility and evidence of a business in a residential area. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/August 6, 2009 <br />Page 7 of 12 <br />