Agenda - Council - 03/28/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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03/23/2006 11:23 7534346648 SHADE TREE PAGE 83/03 The Board of Adjustment denied the variance based on the finding that the plat would continue to significantly endanger public safety. There axe a few facts that should be noted: 1. The City already approved a subdivision to the south of our property (the Meloche property) that resulted in a public cul-de-sac being platted. 2. Today there is a significant gap between two public streets that is served by a private access easement. 3. The current access to the public street within the Meloche property is a Class 5 driveway, wkich does not meet the City's street standards 4. Platting of Shade Tree Creek would result in providing a connection between two existing public streets and be constructed to City standards. 5. The existing public safety situation will not be further h/ndered but improved due to the upgrades to the street and overall connections made. 6. This plat also brings about the opportunity for a second connection to be made to 177th Lane, which will also further improve the City's street network system. City Code ~tates that granting a variance needs to be based on determining a hardship. There are several distinct hardships in this situation. I. There is an existing situation where an island public cul-de-sac exists and at some point, this street will need to be connected to the City's street network. Whether tlle City grants the variance now or later, any street connection would result in needing a variance to cul-de-sac length. 2. The only plansible way to connect the cul-de-sac is by going north through Shade Tree Companies property due to the existing topography and wetland conditions located to the south. Ramsey City Code states that topography IS a hardship and therefore a mea~s to approve a variance. 3. Ramsey's City Code states in one section that a development is to connect to other streets and extend to the plat boundary lines. However, in another section it states that cul-de-sacs can only be 600 feet in length. In this case, both sections of City Code are unable to be complied with regardless of what type or' development would occur on this property. We understand that there may be some access concerns for this area. Platting of Shade Tree Creek provides an opportunity to further the City's east/west street network system. The plat contains !6 single-family lots that will be built over two-year duration. It would seem plausible that the City would be able to coroplete the necessary actions to cotmect 177th Lane by the time final build out of the 16 horoes occurred, thus allowing two access points within the overall area. We appreciate the City Council's time and consideration in this matter. Thank You, Megan ['~ald Shade Iree Companies -222-