PL PACKET 10171995 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 11, 1995 To Whom It May Concern: As legal counsel for the City of St. Anthony in the Pirino matter, the City Council has asked me to relate its side of the story. The City has indicated that it would never want to cause problems to any family or business in the City at any time. The City takes great pride in taking care of its constituents by providing the best possible services that can be provided. However, the.Council feels, as with any dispute, there are two sides to report. Accordingly, it offers the following: First, the house and garage were placed contrary to initial plans submitted to the City. Second, the setback issue was in relation to the garage, not the house. The Pirino family could have continued working on the house while trying to work out the garage issue. Third, after the variance was denied, the Pirinos delayed for almost a year before suing the City seeking to have the Council's decision reversed. During that year they did little, if any, work on their house, which they could have done even before they filed suit. Fourth, the Pirinos sued the City, the City did not sue them. The City only reacted to this lawsuit as it would to = other lawsuit. Fifth, in 1994, after the Court of Appeals turned down their damage request, the Pirinos asked for $6,000 in an attempt to end this situation. The City offered $5,000 to settle the matter, provided the Pirinos rectify the code violations and complete the house. This was tentatively accepted by them; however, as time went on, they decided not to take it and came back requesting $18,000 in cash and asking the City Council to sign in order to refinance their mortgage. This is something the City cannot legally do. Sixth, the City allowed the Pirinos to pour the concrete for the garage before they applied for the variance. However, the City did this only after Mr. Pirino stated to the City that if the variance was not approved, he would remove the concrete. The family took the chance of spending money and knew all along that there was a chance that their request would not be approved. This is verified in minutes from the Planning Commission 1990.