11-30-2022 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 30, 2022 Torkelson asked if the variances are being decided tonight. The Community Development Director explained that the variance decision would come at the time of Final Plat. Torkelson stated he would vote no on variances and the developer should have to meet the current zoning standards. McGraw stated he does not feel this needs to be decided on right away, and pointed out that when other developments have been done, variances have been granted. He stated that this property will be developed and some people will not be happy no matter what goes there, and it will be developed. He would prefer a front yard variance instead of a rear yard. Miller pointed out that the driveways need to be long enough to meet parking requirements. McGraw asked why this is not a private street, and feels it should be since the lots could be shifted to better meet requirements. The City Administrator stated that private streets are strongly discouraged as they typically are problematic, and it is not good practice. He stated there could be a variance for the street width, but it would still need to be sufficient to meet safety requirements. The City administrator asked if everything that can be done to the extent possible, to reduce the variance amount for lot depth, is the lot depth still an issue. Miller stated that would mostly just affect the new homes so it is not as big of an issue then. Torkelson stated that the lot depth is an issue for him and his main concern is the park amenity and sees no reason to approve variances for lot depth. He stated that if they can comply with all of the Zoning Code requirements then he has no right to argue. Keis stated if there are less homes, then what happens if the developer builds much bigger homes to cover the development costs and maybe that is worse. Torkelson stated that his vote is to not entertain any variances and if the City Engineer states that the water system will work, he has to believe them. Fischer stated that he believes this development could be done differently and he is not compelled to approve any variances for this. Torkelson introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2022-11-131— DENY THE VILLAS OF GER VAIS LAKE PRELIMINARY PLAT AND VARIANCES, BECA USE THE VARIANCES ARE NOT JUSTIFIED SINCE OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS COUILD BE DONE ON THIS PROPERTY THAT WOULD MEET THE ZONING CODE REQUIREMENTS The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Fischer. Ayes (4). Nays (0). Abstain (1) McGraw. Resolution adopted. PRESENTATION — DONATION FROM THE LITTLE CANADA RECREATION ASSOCIATION Jon Joriman, President of the Little Canada Recreation Association, stated that the Little Canada Recreation Association began in late 1950's by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to provide baseball and hockey equipment to the youth in the community, so they had Bingo nights and raised money. He explained they have donated money to pay down 25% of recreation programming for Little Canada youth, the warming house, skate park and hockey boards at the Fire Barns park and the rubber surface at Spooner Park. He announced the Little Canada Recreation Association is donating 5