HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000047_pg151June 12, 1978 Page 4
Mayor Pickar asked when the property owners would know if the land was buildable.
Administrator Achen replied that it would be up to the property owners to determine
if their lots were buildable and that when a building permit was applied for, the
City would require a soil test if it was for a questionable area.
Margaret Kramer, 7662 Groveland asked if it would be possible to put services in
just one area. Administrator Achen replied that it would be difficult to put the
services in without doing the whole area.
Leona Hanson, 7767 Groveland stated that she was concerned with double assessments.
Engineer Hubbard replied that her particular lot would only be assessed for water
as it has already been assessed for sewer.
Jim Celt stated that he owned the east half of lot 4 and that he would be in favor
of the assessment, providing the lots were buildable, but that that determination
should be made first. Administrator Achen replied that a soil test would give them
an idea of how much soil restoration would be required, and they could then obtain
an estimate of the cost.
George Payne, 2740 LaPort identified himself as one of the builders of the area and
stated he felt the first four lots were buildable but that there was some low land
which would be questionable as to what the cost would be to restore them.
Mayor Pickar stated he felt the Council would not be adverse to zoning the property
R -2 but that several questions remained that had to be answered before a decision
could be made. Mayor Pickar recommended continuing the hearing until the property
owners could get together and see if they could come up with a solution for develop-
ing the property.
Councilmember Rowley polled the property owners present to get their feelings on putting
in the improvements.
Engineer Hubbard stated that the City may have to take temporary easements for con-
struction purposes but that the land would be restored upon completion of the
improvements. He also recommended having two family homes on the lots that would
require a good deal of work to off -set the additional cost of bring the land up
to grade. He added that a soil test would cost approximately $300.
Administrator Achen pointed out that the City must know ahead of time which lots are
developable and that the cost of the soil test could be included in the cost of the
project.
MS (Pickar - Ziebarth) to have the City bear the cost of soil tests on the property
and that the hearing be continued until July 24 at 7:40 PM, until they receive a
report on the soil test on the property.
Councilmember Ziebarth asked if the cost of the soil test would be distributed
to all the property owners. Attorney Meyers replied that it would be, but if the
project was not ordered, the City would have to absorb that cost.
Councilmember Baumgartner stated that he was concerned with the City spending money
for a soil test for private property, without knowing the cost. He also pointed out
that at some time in the future, one of those property owners could have water problems
and come to the City and blame them, since the City would be approving the development.
Councilmember Rowley asked if Ramsey County would do soil tests for municipalities.
Dennis Quan replied that they would, free of charge.