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Planning & Zoning Board <br />November 10, 2021 <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />Mike Settimi, 1393 Hunters Ridge, said he has been trying to get approval from the <br />City for a 30 ft. driveway for over a year. He stated he has a lot of visitors and his <br />three daughters moved back home. He commented since on street parking is limited <br />due to the arrival of winter, having a wider driveway would allow him to be able to <br />park more vehicles in the driveway. He shared he is also intending to buy a boat and <br />store it in the third stall which will limit parking capacity as well. He explained his <br />request for a 30 ft. wide driveway it not unprecedented in the City as he found over <br />80 driveways in the City with three stall garages and parallel driveway widths. He <br />said there are approximately 8 houses within his neighborhood with driveways 30 ft. <br />or greater in width. Moreover, he commented most of the new construction homes in <br />Lino Lakes will have three stall garages and he said a 30 ft. wide driveway would <br />match the width of the garage thereby eliminating the current 45 degree angle in front <br />of the third stall. Mr. Settimi stated from 1998 to 2003, the City allowed 36 ft. wide <br />driveways. He questioned why 36 ft. is no longer allowed. He commented the City’s <br />Environmental Coordinator came to his home and said widening the driveway will <br />not be an issue since the nearby boulevard tree will not need to be removed. He said, <br />since the driveway would be widened towards the mailbox on street parking would <br />not be impacted. <br /> <br />Chair Tralle stated Mr. Settimi came to the Planning and Zoning Board previously for <br />his driveway variance and it was denied. He asked Mr. Settimi if he met with City <br />Council regarding his variance. <br /> <br />Mr. Settimi said he did not meet with City Council. <br /> <br />Chair Tralle asked why he did not continue onto City Council with his variance <br />request. <br /> <br />Mr. Settimi said he spoke to each individual board member. Each of the City Council <br />members, except Michael Ruhland, came to his home and they told Mr. Settimi his <br />driveway variance request was simple compared to other requests the City receives. <br /> <br />Chair Tralle informed Mr. Settimi he needs to proceed with this variance request and <br />address City Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Rafferty, 1573 Merganser Ct, addressed the Board. He questioned how the <br />City determined the 26 ft. driveway width limit. He surmised the decision was made <br />based on one 16 ft. garage door plus an 8 ft. garage door with one foot in between. <br />He encouraged the Board to consider the possibility of one 16 ft. garage door plus an <br />8 ft. garage door with 4 ft. in between which would amount to 28 ft. in width and <br />allow the driveway to continue straight down from the third stall. He stated the <br />discussion is important since the zoning ordinance is currently being reviewed. <br /> <br />Board Comments <br /> <br />Mr. Evenson said a 26 ft. wide driveway is adequate.