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permit the development of a home on a lot that does not meet the minimum width requirements. City Code defmes width as the lot measurement that abuts the public road. In the rural residential district, the minimum lot width or street frontage requirement is 200 feet. The proposed building site does not have any frontage on a public road. Therefore, the Swansons have applied for a variance in order to construct a home that does not meet the minimum lot width or street frontage requirements. Their plan is to dedicate an access easement to the landlocked parcel from 181 st Avenue N.W. across their 2 parcels to the east. Assistant Community Development Director Frolik advised City Code does not establish a maximum front yard setback in the R-l Rural Developing Residential District. Consequently, there are private driveways in the community that exceed 315 feet in length (the distance between 181 st Avenue N.W. and the front line of the Subject Property). Therefore, the proposed development of the Subject Property with a private access easement approximately 300+ feet in length does not present any unique circumstances that would cause concern for providing emergency services to the Subject Property. Ms. Prolik indicated the Applicant has been in contact with Anoka County regarding an access onto County Road #64 (181st Avenue N.W.). The Swanson's existing homestead currently has a horseshoe driveway onto County Road #64. The new driveway to County Road #64 for the new building site is proposed to follow the west property line of Mr. Swanson's current homestead. The County has recommended that the horseshoe driveway be eliminated and the existing homestead and the new homestead derive access to C.R. #64 within 30 feet of the west property line of Mr. Swanson's current homestead. Assistant Community Development Director Frolik advised staff recommends approval of the variance from street frontage and lot width requirements contingent upon the applicant entering into . a variance agreement with the City and resolution of the access with Anoka County Highway Department. The Fire Marshall has recommended that the driveway be constructed to Minnesota Fire Code standards for access roads exceeding 150 feet in length. The proposed variance has been drafted accordingly. Citizen Input Mr. George Swanson, applicant, stated they bought their home about 11 years ago. For the last seven years that land has been landlocked. The people that own the land are now going through a divorce and the court is requiring them to sell the property. He and his wife are in b~tter shape now than they were 11 years ago to buy the parcel and hope to be able to purchase the back six acres. There is currently an easement to the landlocked property which is where they would put the driveway. They would sell their current home that is on 2 ~ acres; they would then have the new 6 ~ acres and the 7 ~ acres that is currently behind their property. Eventually there will be development going on back there and at that point they can sell off that 7 ~ acres. It is wooded back there and they will be buffered. ~.cting Chair Brauer asked if the applicant has comments regarding the Staff Review Letter or the letter from the County regarding the driveway. Mr. Swanson presented an aerial photo of his property. He indicated it is unclear to him what trees the County is refelTing to. If it is the trees on the property line they understand that, but if it is the Board of Adjustment/April 5, 2007 Page 3 of 10 P3