05-23-2001 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 25, 1999 The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Scalze. Ayes (5) LaValle, Scalze, Pedersen, Morelan, Fahey. Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. VARIANCE - Fahey opened the public hearing to consider the application for a Variance ALLAN AVE. — from the requirement of improved street frontage for a lot abutting SORENSON unimproved Allan Avenue as requested by Gary Sorenson. The Planning Commission has recommended denial of the variance given there is no hardship present to justify approval. Sorenson appeared before the Council and required that he has owned this lot for 25 years and would like to develop it. Sorenson suggested that Allan Avenue may never go through. Sorenson offered to put in a 20 -foot wide drive to provide access to the lot that he pointed out would accommodate the concerns raised by the Fire Marshal. He is also willing to run water and sewer to the lot as well as prepay estimated assessments for the future improvement of Allan Avenue. Sorenson stated that he does not want to put a burden on his neighbors who would prefer to see Allan Avenue remain unimproved. Sorenson stated that this is a nicely wooded area, and he does not blame his neighbors for wanting the area to remain as it is. Therefore, he is trying to make his request such that it will have the least impact on the surrounding property owners. Sorenson pointed out that Allan Avenue may not go through for 10 to 20 years. The hardship that exists is with the original developer in that the development plan for the area was not completed and Allan Avenue was not improved. Sorenson stated that he has waited for 25 years to develop this lot and would like to do so now. Morelan asked if Sorenson was willing to put in the street at this time. Sorenson stated that he was, however, he was sure the neighbors did not want it. Scalze noted that when half the property owners want a new street that is the time to put it in. Fahey suggested that the City not wait for a petition for the road improvement because he did not think there would be 35% of the benefiting property owners interested in the street. Fahey suggested that the City should move forward to initiate the street improvement. He also noted that a number of other similar requests for development on an unimproved street have been denied. Fahey stated that if Mr. Sorenson wants to develop the street should go in. He also felt there was no way that improvement would proceed unless the Council initiated the Page 9