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Mounds View Planning Commission April 5, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 18 circumstance. He suggested a possible means to address this would be to approve the fence as a temporary structure until something could be done to resolve these problems. He pointed out that the structure the applicant was proposing appeared to be somewhat temporary in nature, and if the problems were resolved, she would likely be willing to remove it. Mrs. Brunes stated this was correct. She reiterated she has a beautiful hedge that goes all the way around her property, and she removed a 32 year-old tree she had planted in order to install this fence. Chairperson Peterson stated this appeared to be an issue of harassment. Mrs. Brunes indicated she has filed a civil suit against Justin for doing this to her. She stated she has been informed that she must go through the proper channels in this regard, and even they do not appear to know what to do with Justin. Chairperson Peterson stated the Police Department should attempt to determine some means to provide relief from this situation, and the City Council might be able to initiate this. He advised that the Planning Commission was required to examine variance requests in terms of the City Code and State Statutes, and it does not have the freedom to grant approval unless it is done accordingly. He explained that from a land-planning standpoint, he could not see a hardship, although the applicant clearly does have a problem and a hardship. He stated that the City Code would not allow the Commission to approve this request. Commissioner Berke advised that the City Council could overrule the Planning Commission in cases when an applicant wishes to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision with regard to variances. Mrs. Brunes inquired regarding how she would proceed with this. Chairperson Peterson explained that if the Planning Commission denies the request, Mrs. Brunes has the option to appeal to the City Council. Commissioner Kaden stated he drove by the applicant’s house and has seen the property. He stated it also appears to him that this is an issue of harassment. He stated he sympathized with the applicant, having witnessed his neighbors go through the same situation for several years. He indicated it took an extensive amount of time to resolve this Mrs. Brunes stated she has attempted to gain the support of the residents along Groveland Road, many of whom she has known for 30 years. She explained that every weekend the residents are out in their yards picking up the trash, and the neighbor across the street has had to call the Police several times as well, however, they are afraid to become involved. Community Development Director Jopke suggested that one approach might be to investigate the possibility of approving this item through the interim use permit process. He indicated staff would have to discuss this with the City Attorney. He explained that the City could issue such a