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1/19/2021 - City Council - Work Session - Minutes CITY OF SPRING PARK WORK SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 19, 2021 – 6:00 PM SPRING PARK CITY HALL 1. 6:00 – 4000 Sunset Drive Survey Results Tolsma handed out the new survey requested by Council regarding 4000 Sunset Drive. Brixius stated the Wenck Associates survey validated the Gronberg survey rather than the auto survey that was done. The next step is to share with the city attorney for documentation and then give to Cheney. Variances were approved based on the Gronberg survey and they can move forward. Brixius stated the Wenck and Gron- berg surveys are more accurate than the auto survey. Rockvam would like to pave or identify the lot so the city is not dealing with this down the road. Hoffman asked who is responsible for snow removal as he noticed it has not been plowed recently. Also, he noticed that we are losing the landing due to erosion. He also stated if we are going to maintain the landing, we should improve it. Consensus is to improve the landing as it is used a lot by the citizens. Tolsma said it could come from the street budget this year to accommodate the improvements. Discussion was had on what improvements will be made and how to go about it. Rockvam mentioned the DNR has concrete launching bollards that could be assembled on shore and drug out into the lake. Further discussion was had on contracting out the bollard installation and fixing the shoreline. Horton asked if we need to be concerned about the property line but Brixius stated they are encroaching on our property. Rockvam stated now that we have established where our property is, we should install concrete bollards to show the property lines. Brixius will show the survey to Joe Cheney and the City Attorney as Cheney has it listed for sale and we want to deter from any further issues regarding the property line dispute. Further discussion was had on the 3 surveys. Tolsma stated the current survey shows more reference points and Brixius stated they identified existing monuments that the auto survey did not show. Consensus of the council was to claim the whole property and make improvements showing such. Hoff- man stated currently it is very tight getting in and out and that claiming and improving the full 20 feet would help access. 2. 6:19 – 3872 Northern Avenue Variance & Setbacks Discussion Al brought forward a discussion from the planning commission and reviewed the proposed setback vari- ance for 3872 Northern Ave. The proposed variance will allow the new home to be constructed with side yard setbacks of not less than 7.5 feet along both the east and west lot lines with a setback encroachment for a doorway covered landing on the east side of the building. Brixius stated that in staff review they believe the proposal is an opportunity to develop the property without any cost to the City. Brixius reviewed the plans for the new home. At the public hearing, consensus of the neighborhood is to approve the variance eliminating the blighted house. The Planning Commission was in favor with a 4 to 1 vote. Further discussion was had on the current house and the improvement of property values with the proposed house. Hoffman stated he was the no vote, and his reasoning was he felt there has to be a hardship, a big house on a small lot is not a hardship. His concern is where do you draw the line on the size of a home and justify moving the line for one and not another. He stated further discussion should be had on side yard setbacks. Tolsma stated he added setbacks as a discussion item so the city can look at the setback standards. There are many lots in Spring Park that are not 50 feet and discussion should be had on how to handle it moving forward. A possible sliding scale for different sized lots and other options were discussed. Brixius stated that if he felt the City was going to be vulnerable, he would not have recommended approval of the variance. Rockvam asked how many houses are on the street and what is the average setback. Brixius stated the house immediate adjacent is right on the property line and there are a variety of setbacks on that street. Chase asked if setbacks are based on a 50 minimum wide lot. Brixius stated that 50 feet is the standard and further discussion was had. One of the arguments that came up at Planning Commission was the reason for the 10-foot setback is so they can review the plans as needed. Brixius reviewed previous specifications in established neighborhoods and feels in this circumstance we can approve the variance and not set a precedent. Discussion was had on surrounding properties their value. Brixius stated currently the property does noth- ing for the value of neighborhood. Tolsma asked if the council believes there is a need for having more discussions about setbacks in general. Hoffman would like Brixius to establish guidelines to justify approving a variance. Brixius asked the coun- cil to consider reduced setbacks if they want to establish a sliding scale. Further discussion was had on lot size and building houses on narrow lots. Firewalls and requirements were discussed regarding building houses so close together. Brixius stated typically they are not teardown/rebuilds and asked if we going to treat existing homes different than new construction. The variance will be brought forward to the council meeting tonight. 2. 6:45 – Upcoming Meeting Schedule Tolsma brought forward a discussion on the upcoming meeting schedule. Previously the February council meetings had been cancelled as some council members leave for the month. Consensus was to cancel February council meetings unless issues come up that need to be dealt with. Tolsma handed out thank you notes from citizens thanking the Council for maintaining the trails for the winter this year. Rockvam mentioned how well they are maintained, and Council agreed. 3. 6:50 – Adjourn There being no further discussion, Hoffman motioned, being seconded by Horton to adjourn the meeting. All votes in favor 5-0.