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Mounds View Planning Commission September 7, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ Planner Sevald stated the applicant (Value Homes, LLC) is requesting a Variance to reduce the front yard setback from 54’ to 30’ to construct a single-family home at 7790 Eastwood Road. The minimum front yard setback in the R-1 district is 30’ unless homes on the same side of the street have a greater setback (54’ in this case). The request is due to the hardship of a private drainage easement reducing the buildable area of the lot. He reported staff received one comment from a neighbor who opposed the variance request. Staffs discussed the request in further detail, and recommended that the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and approve the variance as requested. Commissioner French asked if the City had any control over the easement. Planner Sevald explained the easement was a private matter between two property owners. Commissioner Klebsch questioned how many neighbors were notified. Planner Sevald estimated that 30 residents were notified for the variance request. Vice Chair Love opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. Eric Olestad, applicant, 4716 123rd Lane NE in Blaine, explained he purchases lots and builds spec homes throughout the north metro. He indicated he worked to build his homes with a high level of quality while keeping them affordable. He stated when he originally purchased this lot he believed the easement would go away, which was not the case. He appreciated staff’s assistance with this matter stating he was working to save as many trees as possible. Commissioner Schiltgen questioned the price of the new home. Mr. Olestad anticipated the house would be $269,000 to $299,000. Commissioner Klebsch asked how many square feet the new home would have. Mr. Olestad estimated the home would have approximately 2,000 square feet. Marissa Raiz, 7851 Sunnyside, explained her home abuts this property. She requested the variance not be approved. She feared that the existing wooded lot was too small for the proposed home. She indicated she would be disappointed to see all of the existing trees removed to make room for a new home and did not believe the proposed setbacks were keeping in line with the surrounding homes. Mr. Olestad reviewed the setbacks for the adjacent homes. Vice Chair Love understood this was a private lot and Mr. Olestad did have the right to remove his trees. She asked for further comments from the Commission. Planner Sevald reported the Commission would not be able to approve the variance this evening given the fact only four members were in attendance and the vote required a two-thirds vote of the full Commission. He stated the variance could be denied or continued to the next Planning Commission meeting, which would be held on September 21st.