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Mounds View City Council July 28, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 5 second curb cut for the property at 7800 Groveland Road at their May 21st and June 4th meetings. 1 She explained that the applicants had constructed a second garage and was requesting a second 2 curb cut, when City Code allows for only one. She reported the Planning Commission had a 3-3 3 vote at their May 21st meeting and recommended denial of the request 6-1 at their June 4th 4 meeting. Staff explained the applicant has since appealed. 5 6 Frands Jensen, 7800 Groveland Road, explained he had several neighbors present on his behalf 7 to speak in support of the second curb cut. 8 9 Jim Boyle, 2840 Oakwood Drive, supported the second curb cut request for the Jensens. He did 10 not believe the second curb cut was a public safety concern. He recommended the Council 11 approve the access point onto Oakwood Drive. 12 13 Leroy Tower, 2829 Oakwood Drive, believed it was more of an issue to not allow the curb cut. 14 He explained the existing curb would be damaged given the location of the Jensen’s new garage. 15 He recommended the Council support the second curb cut. 16 17 Mr. Jensen explained that when he bought the property he was told he could apply for a variance 18 to allow the second curb cut. He reported he would have never purchased the property if he 19 knew it would be voted down. He discussed the other properties in the City with two curb cuts. 20 He requested the Council reconsider the matter and allow him to have the second curb cut. 21 22 Council Member Meehlhause asked if the garage could have been constructed in such a manner 23 to allow for access from the main driveway. Mr. Jensen stated there were four trees that would 24 have had to have been removed in order to allow for access from the main driveway. 25 26 Council Member Meehlhause questioned why the Jensen’s did not apply for the variance prior to 27 building the garage. Mr. Jensen believed that the variance would be approved given the location 28 of his property. 29 30 Council Member Hull inquired if staff could have denied the building permit for the second 31 garage. Planning Associate Heller explained the garage plans met City requirements. She 32 reported that she made Mr. Jensen aware that a second curb cut was not allowed under City 33 Code. 34 35 Council Member Hull asked if a second garage with no driveway would hurt a homeowners’ 36 property value. Planning Associate Heller did not believe the property value would decrease 37 because the second garage did not have a driveway. She commented that the actual sale of the 38 property may prove to be more of a concern. 39 40 Council Member Gunn explained that the properties with second curb cuts were grandfathered 41 in. She reported that many second curb cuts have been removed through the Street Improvement 42 Project. 43 44 Mayor Flaherty questioned if anyone spoke for or against the second curb cut at the Planning 45