9.b3a Marshman comments re Lamar Ave Variancesb.eklund
From: LouAnn Marshman
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2020 9:48 PM
To: b.eklund; c.ness; s.kronmiller; p.ray; j.cusick; c.maefsky
Subject: Re: Planning Commission Concerns and Comments - October
Please feel free to forward the following comments to other interested persons.
Concerns and Comments:
.°.CCEIVED
OCT 2 0 2020
CITY OF SCANDIA
It is my understand the reason a person applies for a variance of a specific code is to receive approval of the
variance without changing the code. The definition of a variance is an official dispensation from a rule or
regulation (Code) - typically a building resolution.
Resolution #2020-16
I am a homeowner in the neighborhood where Cindy and Harold Johnson are requesting a variance to build a
garage on an adjacent lot, I recommend the city council approve the variance request. Does the code have to
be changed since the purpose of a variance is to request an official dispensation from a rule or
regulation? Harold and Cindy have maintained their residences in good standing unlike a few other neighbors
(names will not be mentioned) in our community by the lake.
I recommend approving the variance and the City Administration/Planning Commission can move forwarded
with changing the current wording in the Development Code Chapter 2, Section 3.2(2)(A) that reads "no
accessory structure shall be constructed on a lot prior to construction of the principal structure on the lot."
Resolution 2020-17 and 202018
The request for a variance to reduce the Code requirements of 20 feet to 7 feet between an exterior
wall and adjacent property line should be denied. Based upon the Planning Commission meeting
and the City Administration statement regarding changing the code for the garage request, I would
expect the Code needs to be changed for exceeding the building limitations on a lot.
Why would one variance request be denied and the next approved without changing the code? I
keep hearing the terms "keep the neighborhood footprint." The beautiful hill and trees will be
destroyed to allow 2 homes to have walk -out basements. That building plan is not "keeping the
neighborhood footprint". In the Planning Commission preliminary minutes, one neighborhood
person is quoted as having talked to Craig Wilcox once. He stated that Craig is in favor
of changing the current lot footprint next door. My concern is that Craig's wife passed away in
June from a long battle with cancer. He is grieving and not in any position to give his opinion on
variance requests allowing a neighbor to reduce the 20 feet Code requirement to 7 feet from the
house exterior to the lot line.
Respectfully,
LouAnn Marshman
18975 Layton Avenue N
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047