06-04-85 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 4, 1985 Page 2 4. Public Inquiries Pursuant to published notice, this public inquiry was opened at 7:12 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Mr. Steve Grabski appeared before the City Council as a public inquiry regarding the possibility of a simple lot division and a lot size variance to remedy the illegal subdivision of his property in Lane's DeMontreville Country Club approximately one year ago. The City Engineer, Larry Bohrer, distributed maps of the lots prior to July 1984 and then the lots as sold after July 1984. The reason it became known to him was because the Steve Grabski lot was part of the 201 program and was planning on putting the septic system on lot 610-612. Now that 610 and 611 is sold off, that was ruled out. According to the City code, this dividing of an already substandard building site is not allowed. The City Council instructed Larry to meet with Mr. Grabski and see what could be worked out. Mr. Grabski tried to purchase back lot 610 and 611, but found the price had tripled. Also lot 610 and 611 cannot be purchased back under the 201 program because they will not participate in the land acquisition that only benefits one individual. They are now investigating a possibility of a holding tank on the Marchio property as a last resort. Mr. Grabski would like to combine lots 519-523 and lots 616-620 to make a possible building site. This would consist of 0.459 acres. A simple lot division would clean up the situation, and it would take a lot size variance. The code requires 0.9 acres and the average lot size in Lake DeMontreville is 0.579 acres which the Council has used as a guide in the past. According to Larry, the lot size variance would not determine the buildability of a lot, but the septic system, pore tests and design would determine the buildability. Mr.. Grabski realizes that he will have to submit his proposed simple lot division and lot size variance request through the Planning Commission as required by the City Code. He appeared before the City Council to get their feelings on the possibility of this subdivision. The Mayor stated that he personally was not receptive to this subdivision because the lot size being so small that they would not even equal the average of the area. Bruce Dunn asked what happened a year ago when they were going to undo this sale. The answer being that Larry and Pat had met with the City Attorney, and he suggested they meet wth Mr. Grabski to find out the facts and to find some way to work it out rather than go to court and rescind these sales. Now there is an innocent third party, Marchio, who has purchased the property and put substantial improvements that has to be considered. The consensus of the Council is that the illegal subdivision should be a matter of civil action between Mr. Grabski and the new owner, Mr. Marchio.