10-05-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View Planning Commission September 21, 2011 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases A. VR2011-007 Consideration of a Variance Request to Allow a Second Curb Cut and Driveway in an R-1, Single Family Residential District at 6939 Pleasant View Drive Associate Planner Heller indicated the Planning Commission is being asked to consider a variance request to allow a second curb cut and driveway at 6939 Pleasant View Drive. Staff indicated the lot was 100 feet wide and 450 feet deep. The existing home was built in 1940, and was placed approximately 15 feet from the south property line. City Code allows one curb cut on each R-1, Single Family Residential zoned property without a variance. Associate Heller explained the property has had two driveways since 1993 when the old garage was removed and a new two-car garage was built on the other side of the house, ten feet from the north property line. A second driveway leading to the new garage was added. The street had no curbs at the time, so the Lestinas continued to use both driveways until 2010 when Pleasant View Drive was reconstructed and curbs were added. Associate Heller stated in early 2010, in preparation for the street project, the Public Works Department mailed Ms. Lestina a letter stating that her property had two driveways, and that she must contact the City if she wants to keep the second curb cut. Ms. Lestina did not contact the City before the street was reconstructed, and as a result, only one curb cut was installed on the driveway that leads to the garage, and access to the south driveway was lost. Associate Heller noted Ms. Lestina has now applied for a variance because she wants to be able to use the south driveway again. This driveway leads right up to the house, and she has physical limitations that make it difficult for her to get around. City Staff has informed Ms. Lestina that if the Planning Commission were to approve a variance for a second curb cut, she would have one- year to install a hard surface driveway and new curb cut that meets the required five-foot setback. Staff was available for comments from the Commission. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Chair Stevenson closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Commissioner Schiltgen asked what action the applicant took in 2010 to keep the second curb cut. Mr. Bill Lestina indicated he attended the City street project meeting in the spring of 2010. He filled out an application to keep the second curb cut and it was not accepted. His family got busy