Agenda - Council - 10/10/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I ! I I I I I I I I Citizen Input Community Development Director Frolik noted that a letter was received from Allan Pendelton opposing to the variance request. Harold Boyum, 1035 Park Street, Anoka, stated that Lot 15 of Bowers Drive was the subject of an extended controversy with the DNR and in 1997 it was resolved and this body granted three variances for Lot 15; width, area and setback from river. Lot 30 is the same size as Lot 15 and he is only requesting for a variance for the setback on the river. On Lot 15, the variances that were approved had a one year life and that has expired so now when someone purchases the property, they will have to go through the entire process again, because of what he believes is an omission in the regulations. He stated that he is not requesting that he be treated differently than the other residents along Bowers Drive, but only be given the same opportunity. The first time the case was presented to the Board of Adjustment it was more complicated because of dual ownership, which is no longer applicable. Mr. Boyum stated that he is disappointed that there 'is still a controversy with the neighbors regarding the issue and reviewed the layout of the home and the changes that he made to the layout in an attempt to resolve the conflict. He explained that his house would be 21 feet from the lot line and the Larson's home is 12 feet from the property line. He stated that if the proposed house was moved back 50 feet, the Larson's would be viewing the house out of their front window which is not a common situation and would be a significant problem for them. Board Member Dempsey inquired if Mr. Boyum had given any thought to moving the house 20 feet back from its currently proposed location. Mr. Boyum replied that he had indicated to staff that he would be willing to move the home back five feet, but that was rejected by the Larson's. He was opposed to moving the home back 20 feet because it would prevent them from viewing the river from their home and he felt that they should not be treated differently than everyone else on Bowers Drive. Chairperson Nixt inquired if the proposed location of the home lines up with the majority of the existing homes in the neighborhood. Community Development Director Frolik replied yes. Chairperson Nixt inquired as to how the bluff cuts into the surrounding properties. Mr. Boyum replied that one. of the properties does not have a bluff the other property owner removed one of their bluffs, and his property has two bluffs. He explained that his home would not be any closer to the river than the adjacent homes. He presented the Board with a letter dated April 19, 1996 from City staff which outlined what he would need to do in order to construct a home on Lot 30. To get to this point it has cost him $20,000 and he would not have done so if the house would have to be placed so far away from the river. Mr. Boyum noted that he has Board of Adjustment/September 5, 2000 Page 3 of 8 -0-