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Mounds View Planning Commission August 17, 2005 <br />Regular Meeting Page 3 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />around the periphery of the lot to promote positive drainage. The variance is being requested to <br />maintain maximum flexibility as the owner’s plans move forward to repave their drive aisle and <br />parking lot. <br /> <br />Director Ericson stated for approval of the request there needs to be a demonstrated hardship or <br />practical difficulty associated with the property. The lot has very little change of elevation over <br />the property which causes difficulties with stormwater runoff. The site has flooded in the past. <br />Staff is unsure whether or not there is sufficient hardship associated with this property to warrant <br />approval of this variance request. <br /> <br />Director Ericson noted this is the first time the Commission will consider a variance based on <br />drainage. He recommended the Planning Commission open the public hearing and consider the <br />testimony of staff, residents, and the applicants. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson questioned the east side curb which is parallel on the drawing but not on the site <br />plan. He asked if it was a consistent 37 feet. Director Ericson stated the site plan is old; it is <br />dated November 2004. He added the curb may be offset by a foot or less because it does start to <br />narrow towards the southeast corner. <br /> <br />Commissioner Hegland asked if the property line is 5 feet from the curb and where the new line <br />is proposed. Director Ericson stated the property line is 5 feet from the curb and the new line has <br />not yet been established. He added the owners are asking for maximum flexibility. Surveyors <br />are going to the property tomorrow and will advise how much setback is necessary. There is an <br />issue with the north south drainage. If a variance is granted, it will not necessarily improve <br />drainage on the site but will help so water does not back up against the building. <br /> <br />Commissioner Hegland stated if the lot is blacktopped drainage will be worse because there <br />would be no seepage. He asked if the lot is pitching to the south. Director Ericson stated with a <br />little pitch stormwater would flow instead of sitting in dirt. The Amoco site sits higher and <br />historically water has flowed southeast to northwest. The request is to provide maximum <br />setback on the east side so stormwater does not collect adjacent to the building. <br /> <br />Rick Perrozzi, Building Manager, 2832 County Road 10, indicated this is the way CVS <br />developers (Velmeir) have left the building. He stated, initially, there was going to be a common <br />parking lot. A variance is being requested due to flexibility, not necessarily for drainage issues. <br />One representative of Velmeir had been previously dealt with, but now there are legal issues <br />such as document forgery, and talks have begun with the owners. The watershed district had <br />approved a plan that allowed Velmeir to run through the property because they thought Velmeir <br />owned it. The retention pond was supposed to be built to catch all of the water but the pond <br />turned into a lake and now there is standing water on the property. The November 2004 site plan <br />was received on June 14, 2005. The parking lot is torn up on the backside and the east side has a <br />bottleneck with a setback. Possible renters of the building are waiting and wondering when the <br />parking lot will be complete.