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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 2013 Page 3 of 8 Mayor Pearson asked about similar size lots and the domino effect. Mr. Bloyer asked about how many others would come to ask for variance. Mr. Klatt explained the research and staff findings. 12 vacant lots adjacent to other properties and therefore non-buildable. Eight were not tied to other property, but lot sizes and other factors would limit the number to about 3 as eligible for variances. This included all three lakes. Mr. Klatt further explained the septic requirements. Ms. Smith asked if changing the ordinance was more appropriate instead of granting the ordinance. Associate City Attorney Brekken said that changing the ordinance is an option, but it is ultimately a council policy decision. Mr. Bloyer asked Mr. Klatt which way was better way to go. Grant variance or change allowed lot size to ½ acre. Mr. Klatt noted that at the time the area was plotted, different rules were in place. Whatever is done now, the future considerations of sewer and water need to be carefully considered. County septic requirements are going to limit the number of future variances. Public comment: Carl Abrahamson 8061 Hill Trail N., spoke on the 201 systems put in by the county. He gave overview on the surrounding systems that are experiencing problems. He is concerned about the impact of more septic systems. Claims there are already a lot of houses in area. Mayor Pearson inquired about the 201 systems. Jack said he was not familiar with those systems and the locations. Mayor Pearson asked if Mr. Abrahamson was interested in sewer. He answered in the affirmative. Council Member Smith asked griffin about the downtown 201 systems. Griffin said that the downtown systems are a bit different. Council Member Bloyer said that his opinion has changed regarding sewer in the lakes area. He noted that the Hanson’s land is able to accommodate a septic and it is his land. The City needs to be careful not to take people’s land. Also look at providing sewer in the future. Dick Nelson 8123 Hill Trail N., located right across from parcel. He noted that the Planning Commission determined that the standards were not met. He wants council to take a stand and deny the variance. Bonnie Weisbrod 8111 Hill Trail N., her opinion is lot is too small for septic system. She explained the problems with water on her low lying lot. She is concerned about the impact of the water that will run on her land as a result of the house being built. He claimed it was unbuildable when the Hanson’s bought it. Steve Iverson 8108 Hill Trail N., concerned about the possibility of there also being a basement. He believes it is a mistake to allow building on lots this size. He claimed that the reasons in favor of granting are opinion based. He alleged the reasons against the variance are fact based. Gregory Collins representing Amy Gustafson - 8120 Hill Trail N., spoke about the comp plan and the lot’s size. He also spoke about the comp plan requiring 20,000 sq. ft. available for sewage treatment and second available drain field site. He claimed that the lot only has 2,400 sq. ft. available and believes council should not grant the variance. Bruce Malkerson representing Hanson’s, noted that his letter submitted laid out the reasons for granting the variance. He noted that the Lake Elmo standards are beyond the state standards and may not even he upheld. He went over a couple points from the letter – reasonableness and uniqueness. He asserted the knowledge of build or unbuild-ability should not be considered for uniqueness. Council Member Reeves asked about differences between county standards for septic and city standards regarding space. Mr. Klatt said that the city turned over septic regulation about three years ago and adopted by reference the county standards. The differences were: frequency of pumping; and lot sizes. He noted that the county did find that there was space for primary and secondary sites. Mr. Reeves asked the Associate City Attorney which standards the City needs to follow. Mr. Brekken said that it is the council’s discretion in granting variances and that the