04/18/1979 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page -4- April 18, 1979 Mr. Gourley asked Mr. McLean to read the Council minutes from April 9, 1979 regarding Mr. Rehbein. Mr. Gourley said it appears to him that Mr. Locher is saying the variance could be approved and then followed very closely. Mr. Reinert referred to a recent article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press regarding smaller houses and lot sizes. Mr. Rehbein intorduced Mike Huberty and explained Mr. Huberty will be working with him. Mr. Huberty gave the Board some information regarding the types of housing being built in the Twin City area. He also noted other builders are now going to penalized or pre- built buildings. Mr. Rehbein showed pictures of several houses in the City and pointed out just because houses are big they are not necessarily beautiful. Mr. Shearen noted that he knows of surrounding communities who have the smaller requirements but sees very few requests for building, the smaller house. Mr. Rehbein said he planned to have variety in buildings in his project, some will be minimum size but most will be larger. Mr. Gourley told the Board that some builders in the area who are building quads and duplexes and selling them before they are constructed. There is the demand for this type of housing. Mr. McLean suggested these variances may not be necessary if the Planning and Zoning Board change the ordinance. This could be done within the next 60 to 90 days. Mr. Rehbein said he has already been to several meetings and time is money for him and hoped the Board would act one way or another tonight. Mrs. Schwankl moved to recommend that Council grant Mr. Rehbein a variance to lot size down to 10,000 square feet which is smaller than required by our present ordinance sub- ject to the opinion of the City Attorney, the reason being that there has been a general feeling at previous meetings that there will be an ordinance change reducing lot size when updating the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Shearen seconded the motion. Mr. Reinert said he still was not sure and not comfortable with this variance request. Mr. McLean said the Board could recommend an ordinance change. Mr. Gourley called for the vote. The vote was one nay and two aye. Mr. Reinert voted no, Mrs. Schwankl and Mr. Shearen voted, yes. Motion carried. Mrs. Schwankl moved to recommend that Council approve a variance requested by Mr. Rehbein to reduce house sizes to 864 square feet subject to the City Attornies opinion and that the total of the project of 96 lots be 15% 864 sq. ft, 60% 960 sq. ft. and 25% 1,000 sq. ft. or larger and the reason being that there has been a general feeling at previous meetings that there will be an ordinance change reducing house sizes when up- dating the Cities Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Shearen seconded the motion. The vote was Mr. Reinert, no, Mrs. Sxhwankl and Mr. Shearen, yea. Motion carried Mr. Rehbein said he had heard that Little Canada has an ordinance that says houses cannot be built in a commercial district. It seems that they have not been bothered with the discrimination problem. The Clerk said she would try to get a copy of Little Canadas ordinance. Mr. Reinert asked the Clerk to give him a copy of Mr. Lochers investigation on the questions raised in Shenandoah III.