Agenda Packets - 2006/05/08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council April 24, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 30 1 Mayor Marty asked if there is any leeway to bring the structure down. Director Ericson 2 explained the structure is 24 inches tall, and the fill is at that level or an inch, so he was not sure 3 what could be brought down. 4 5 Mayor Marty wondered if it came up as high as the structure. Mrs. Amundsen stated it does. 6 7 Director Ericson indicated that the property owner is willing to cut off the 4x4 posts so it is level 8 with retaining wall. 9 10 Councilmember Stigney asked if the Planning Commission came up with any recommendations 11 regarding retaining walls up to edge of the property. Director Ericson reported that the Planning 12 Commission felt that a retaining wall up to the property line was appropriate, and that they would 13 make an amendment to explicitly permit that in the same section where fences are permitted and 14 defined as to where they are allowed and what the appropriate setback is. He stated the Planning 15 Commission felt that there was no difference as a fence in that regard and adding the definition to 16 the code would be a worthy amendment. 17 18 Councilmember Flaherty wondered if the adjacent property owner is willing to make any 19 movement or concessions. Director Ericson explained that the property owner indicated he 20 would cut down the 4x4 posts to make the area flush with the rest of the retaining wall. He 21 stated his position agrees with Staff’s position that the retaining wall and the grading is 22 consistent with City code, past practice and past policy. 23 24 Mr. Amundsen stated that they were hoping to have the structure moved back two feet. He stated 25 he is going to need to spend money to rebuild the fence as a result of the neighbor’s activity. 26 27 Mrs. Amundsen stated they will incur costs although they do not want to, because they are 28 concerned about safety. She stated it is annoying that they are put in this predicament when the 29 pool has been there over ten years. 30 31 Mayor Marty stated that he really does not see a solution that is going to make anyone happy. He 32 stated that unless the property owner starts parking his car in the area, the structure cannot be 33 moved back. 34 35 Mr. Amundsen stated that he continues to be frustrated because when he spoke to the neighbor, 36 he indicated that he wanted to build a parking space. He mentioned he talked to Director Ericson 37 about parking at the last meeting. He stated he is confused why the Council does not see the 38 same intent. 39 40 Councilmember Thomas stated that the two issues have no relation to each other. She stated a 41 retaining wall is not a parking surface. She stated that from a legal standpoint, a retaining wall 42 might allow for a parking surface, but it is not the same thing. She noted that regardless of 43 whether a parking surface is created, it is still a different structure that is not related. 44 45