Minutes - Planning Commission - 08/07/2001

Home

built an addition on his home of a 28 x 64 foot garage. Currently, or until a few days prior, there were nine cars. Before that, there were 14 cars. Some cars have been. there over a year. Mr. Leonhardt stated that in the rear of the building, there are two semi tractor tracks. He noted the lawn has just recently been cut on a regular basis. He suggested that if the property remains in the condition it is now, it will devalue their property. Marguerite Henke, 14311 Armstrong Boulevard NW, Ramsey stated she lives adjacent to this property. She questioned how Mr. Lind would move his equipment to the garage if it is built. There is no driveway there currently. Community Development Assistant Wald explained that there is a dirt driveway alongside the attached garage that leads to the rear yard. This garage would not require any kind of a driveway. She noted that driveways have to be three feet from the property. Ms. Henke asked if the building would go along the pine trees and Charles Lind, applicant, answered in the affirmative. Commissioner Johnson questioned if the City Code requires any landscaping around it. Community Development Director stated no landscaping is required by code but any terms deemed appropriate can be included in the conditional use permit. Ms. Henke questioned if the grass around that area would be required to be mowed. Community Development Assistant Wald stated that there is a 12 inch height restriction for grass in the City Code. Code enforcement is on a complaint only basis; staff does not do neighborhood sweeps for code violations. Commissioner Reeve questioned what would be considered a lawn and Community Development Assistant Wald replied the City Code is not specific as to how much area on a large parcel should be mowed. Ms. Henke stated that Alpaca Estates has large lots and many homes are in the middle of their lots. If sewer and water were mandated, many homeowners would not be able to subdivide their lots. She added that the only way for many of the homeowners to recoup the cost of the assessments would be to develop the back of their lots. She suggested the most feasible way for the neighborhood would be to put a street between Lots 3 and 4 off Riverdale. She questioned whether this building would impede a street being added in this development. Ms. Henke expressed ccncern that the tractor rigs only need to be screened to a degree of 75 percent. He could plant trees along their common property line and he would be meeting the 75% requirement. Planning Commission/August 7, 2001 Page 17 of 25