09-22-93 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 22, 1993 Mr. Gordie Howe, Masterpiece Homes, reported that a home was designed to be constructed on this particular lot, but after the design was complete and the lot surveyed, it was determined that the house would fit the lot better if it were twisted to follow the cul-de-sac. Howe also pointed out the setbacks of the houses to the north and south and reported that given those setbacks, he asked the City Planner about the possibility of a front yard setback. The Planner suggested that rather than move the house forward, the house be angled on the lot and a side yard setback considered. Howe reported that he has discussed the proposed side yard setback variance with the adjacent neighbors, initially as a variance to the north, but later as a variance on the south side yard. The neighbor to the south indicated that the house should be further forward on the lot. That property owner has a three-season porch and she is trying to protect her privacy as well as trees and undergrowth in the back yard area. Scalze reported that she was present during a portion of Mr. Howe's conversation with the neighbor to the south, and she did not get the feeling that property owner was sure that a variance to the south was the way to go. Scalze pointed out that the City Planner's report addresses the issue of a variance on the north. Howe reported that the property owner to the south does not oppose a house being constructed on the lot, but wants to save as much of her back yard as possible. If the house is built straight on the lot, more trees will be lost in both the back and front of the house. Howe reported that Scalze made a comment on site that the house may be too big for the lot. Howe reported that the lot is designed for an L-shaped split, however, that is not the type of house that would fit in the area given the $300,00o property values. Scalze pointed out that economic considerations cannot be used as the basis for granting a variance. Scalze stated that after listening to part of the conversation between Mr. Howe and the neighbor to the south, she was not sure what the property owner wanted. Howe reported that the property owner would agree to the angling of the house in order to save trees in the back yard. Dr. Capsner, property owner to the north, reported that there are two large, mature trees at the northeast corner of the lot that would be saved by moving the Page 8