05-02-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View Planning Commission Regular Meeting 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. 5. Planning Cases May 2, 2012 Page 2 A. VR2012-002 and VR2012-003 Consideration of a Variance Requests to Allow Adjacent Driveways to Remain with Zero Setbacks. Address: 5045 Eastwood Road Address: 5046 Rainbow Lane Applicant: Blaine & Mary Fyksen Applicant: Gordon & Marilyn Davis Planning Associate Heller indicated the applicants are requesting a variance to allow adjacent driveways to remain with zero setbacks. The properties are located at 5045 Eastwood Road and 5046 Rainbow Lane. She reviewed the location of the homes explaining each home has a detached garage located next to each other that access County Road H. Associate Heller explained the driveways are currently combined and have been for the last 50 years. Both driveways are in need of replacement, which would mean they would have to be brought into current code compliance with a 5 -foot setback. However, both property owners are requesting variances in order to keep the driveways combined, although they are planning to separate the driveways near the garages with a four -foot wide area of landscaping. She noted the variances were being requested to assist the homeowners with safety when entering and exiting their driveways. County Road H has become a busy road; and these properties are very close to an elementary school. The property owners want to be able to turn vehicles around in the driveways and drive forward to exit the driveway, rather than backing out onto County Road H. Associate Heller stated this was a public hearing and no comments have been received from neighbors. She commented both property owners were present this evening, Staff recommended the Commission hold a public hearing and adopt the Resolutions. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. Commissioner Schiltgen questioned what the applicants were proposing to plant in between the driveways. Blaine Fyksen, 5045 Eastwood Road, commented shrubs and grass would be planted to create a separation between the driveways. He explained that Ramsey County would also need to approve the driveway access since they have jurisdiction over County Road H. Mr. Fyksen indicated the new concrete surface would be a great improvement over the current paved surface. Chair Stevenson was pleased that the neighbors were working together on this issue and that the combined driveway offered both families safer access to County Road H. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m.