Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/05/2004

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To Whom [t b/lay Concern: January, 30, 2004 bast spring we received a letter stating we were in violation of a city Ordinance concerning the parking of two trailers, a small utility trailer with aluminum scrap material, and a snowmobile trailer. In addition, we had a woodpile and miscellaneous steel siding materialS. This letter from the city came as a complete surprise. The siding trailers have been par&ed in the same place for the last 22 years. We have taken the fo[lowing steps to alleviate this problem with concerned neighbors. I. 2. 3. 4. 5. The snowmobile trailer has been removed from the front yard, The woodpile has been removed. The small utility trailer and miscellaneous siding materials have been removed. We planted live, 5 to 6 t~et high pine trees at a cost of Approximately $600. The power company had previously removed 2 large pine trees, which had helped to screen the trailers. We removed the old stumps, black dirt was hauled in, and grass was planted. After completing these things, we continued to receive complaints. We asked the mayor and our councilman to intercede tbr us. Twice we thought this issue was resolved after they talked to the concerned parties. In November we again received a letter from the City of Ramsey that a complaint had been made. For the th[lowing reasons the two siding trailers were not moved: 1. We are unable to reach the right side of our garage due to numerous large trees and a retaining wall along the driveway. 2. On the left side of our house, starting about 30 feet back from the road, my lot begins to slope down to the lake. The farther back from the road, the sharper the slope, creating a hazard and hardship in trying to position them on a slope. .3. My reason tbr not parking them in the driveway is that my present driveway will not accommodate them. We currently have 3 drivers, and 4 drivers when my son is not in college. Each time someone would want to leave the garage, the two trailers would have to be moved out of the driveway. 4. As owners of this property and taxpayers, we feel we should be allowed reasonable use of our property without undue hardship to us. For about a year tills problem has continued, which has been stressful ibr us. We do not see ourselves as bad neighbors. The last thing that we want to do is build a garage with one child in college this year, and two in colleges next year. in order to end this problem, and hopefully instill some peace in our neighborhood, we are planning to enclose the trailers in question, so that they are out of sight, ending any future complaints. This [eaves u~ with no other option than to build a garage. Jeff and Barb Rockow 9