01-17-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View Planning Commission January 17, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 5 Community Development Director Ericson indicated this is a commercial building which gives the City an opportunity to deal with the privacy issue rather than to have the property owner deal with it. Commissioner Miller noted her agreement with the rest of the Commission that back to back fences typically leads to other negative issues for property owners. Commissioner Miller also noted the back-to-back fences may provide an area where vandals could loiter. Commissioner Kaden inquired as to whether Mr. Zwirn would be taking down his chain link fence if the privacy fence were to be approved and built as a part of this project. Mr. Zwirn explained the chain link fence has concrete around the entire perimeter underneath it to discourage weed growth and is an attractive look and makes maintenance easy. Mr. Zwirn stated he doesn’t have a problem with two fences located back to back as long as the area between and along the fences is maintained. If the City approves this plan for the building he suggested he needs some privacy in his backyard. Mr. Zwirn explained the use of evergreen trees would damage his concrete as the roots would push it up and he asked the City not to use them. Commissioner Hegland inquired as to whether it would be feasible to extend some of Mr. Zwirn’s posts to raise the fence and instead of chain link use either wood or vinyl. Vice Chairperson Stevenson asked Mr. Zwirn what type of screen he wanted on the window side of his house that faces the parking lot. Mr. Zwirn indicated tall shrubbery such as lilacs or tall evergreen shrubbery not evergreen trees would be nice. Vice Chairperson Stevenson noted a need to screen Mr. Zwirn’s view of the parking lot. He also noted a double fence would be a potential problem unless fences are close enough together to discourage potential vandalism but to allow for maintenance of the fence and grass between the fences. He further suggested the fences be no more than two feet apart if a double fence is allowed. Commissioner Johnson asked Mr. Mezzenga if there would be windows in the top floor of the building looking south. Mr. Mezzenga indicated there would be windows in the top floor of the building looking south. Commissioner Johnson noted if a two-story house were built on the lot in question the neighbors would have windows looking into Mr. Zwirn’s backyard.