03-13-2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCH, MARCH 13, 2002 CHRISTOPHER Mayor Fahey presented Christopher Gatzke with a certificate of appointment GATZKE to the Planning Commission. Fahey thanked Gatzke for his interest in serving the City. VARIANCE - Mayor Fahey opened the continuation of public hearing to consider the SAVAGE LANE application for setback variance for asingle-family house at the northeast & ROSE LANE - corner of Savage Lane and Rose Lane as requested by Mr. Sam Robert. Fahey SAM ROBERTO noted the action had been tabled on this matter pending additional information relative to the soil borings that were done on this property. Sam Roberto appeared before the Council and reviewed the cost estimates he obtained for a pile foundation system if a house were constructed within required setbacks. He noted that the cost would be $38,757 for pilings and $39,000 for a structural slab for a total of $77,757. The cost of earthwork is not included in this estimate. Roberto pointed out that financing an additional $80,000 over a 30-year mortgage adds $210,000 to the cost of the house he would like to build. The City Engineer reviewed his analysis of the two soil borings that Braun Intertec prepared for this site. He noted that there are more suitable soils near boring #1 and the cost of constructing a house foundation in that location would depend on the house style, foundation size, and method of construction. The soils near boring #2 are poorer and utilizing the excavation and backfill method would range from $70,000 if a basement were installed to $1 10,000 if the home was constructed with aslab-on-grade. If pilings were used rather than excavation, the cost would be $20,000 to $30,000 additional. (These costs are in addition to costs associated with construction near boring #l .) Scalze pointed out that if a variance is approved a precedent would be set affecting any property with poor soils. Roberto pointed out that he is proposing to construct a house that would fit the character of the other homes in the area. Roberto noted that the issue for him is how much money is feasible to invest in the foundation for this house given the poor soils. Roberto indicated that independent of the cost factor there is also the shape of the lot and the fact that there is road right-of--way on three sides of the lot. This requires large setbacks that are difficult to work with. Roberto pointed out that Rose Lane, as it abuts this property, is undeveloped and is likely to never develop. There is currently a driveway access on the undeveloped portion of Rose Lane. 2