09/27/1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• FAX TO: 651 - 982 -2499 (6 total pages) Mary Kay Wyland City of Lino Lakes 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 • • From: Sue Walseth 1101 Holly Drive West Lino Lakes, MN 55038 Home: 651 - 426 -0887 Work: 612- 806 -5253 (until 3PM) August 20, 1999 Re: Fencing Permit Issues – 6408 Cassiopeia Court, Lot 9, Gemini Estates Dear Members of the "Planning & Zoning Board" and the "City Council ", Ideally, I would like to install a 6 -foot high privacy fence from my new house's south side extending out to the south lot line – and then extending it back to my rear SE property comer – and then along a portion of the rear lot line. (See attached drawing.) This fence would not interfere with the city's existing 15 foot road easement on Holly Drive. Because the lot is located near Holly Drive, I had always been planning to have the back and side yards fenced: (1) for my large outdoor dog (2) for privacy from pedestrian and car traffic and the associated noises (3) for my above -ground pool, to keep small children out (4) for security reasons (5) for maintaining my comfort level, as I liked the fenced yard at 1101 Holly Drive all the 14 years I have lived there. I planned to have this fence installed just prior to my closing on this property, which is tentatively scheduled on or before October 22, 1999. I had always intended to use a six -foot privacy fence, mainly because of the traffic issues and my pool. I never dreamed that it would ever be a problem, because I see similar fences on other Lino Lakes properties. After discussing my fence plans on 8/2/99 with Mary Kay, she had faxed me a drawing of where I could install a 6-foot fence, but it had to be installed 40 feet from my property line, which is exactly where my new house foundation is currently located. So the fence could be installed directly from my house's rear side comer, towards my rear lot line. I would be losing an incredible amount of my side yard: 5,400 sq. ft. — almost half the minimum requirement for an R -1 X lot area of 12,000 - plus. My initial reaction is that my residential yard is small enough as it is without the city taking away even more of it with these easements. If I install a 6 -foot fence at the city's prescribed location, 1 would feel as if I was giving up my ownership and rights to that portion of my property — almost abandoning it, because it is obviously excluded from my fenced area. I was informed that I could install a 4-foot fence along my south property line, not a 6 -foot. A 4-foot fence is useless to me, as it doesn't afford any privacy at all from the pedestrian or car traffic on Holly Drive. So my only altemative is to apply for a variance. I have composed my own findings of fact below: Findings of Fact: In considering all requests for variance or appeal and in taking subsequent action, the City shall make a finding of fact. 1. That the property in question cannot be put to a reasonable use, if used under conditions allowed by the official controls. • The property can be put to reasonable use, but there is an obvious Toss of privacy in any family - related entertainment activities in the side and rear yards.