Lakewood Board of Adjustment Public Hearing
September 11, 2007
Call to Order: Board of Adjustment Chair Steve Geving called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30 p.m. on 9-11-2007 at the Lakewood Town Hall.
Present: Board of Adjustment members---Steve Geving, Ann Cutts, Kerry Leider and Dick Bodine. Also present: Zoning Administrator Brennan Mears, Road Foreman Don Putnam, Applicant Wendy Robertson, Clerk Gene Bromenshenkel and general public (register attached).
Chair Geving outlined the purpose of the Hearing: to hear a request from Wendy Robertson of Lauren Road for a variance for a lack of road frontage on a parcel located at the end of Lauren Road.
Zoning Administrator Brennan Mears gave a presentation on the request. The variance request is to make a five-acre parcel at the end of Lauren Road a buildable lot. The lot currently has 90 feet of road frontage. The lot is in the MUNS-4 zone which requires 300 feet of road frontage to qualify for a buildable lot. The Town currently has a turn around near the property. Mears proposed options for the township: 1) to add an additional 90 feet to Lauren Road and obtain an easement from Robertson for a turnaround which is required for the public and snow plowing by St. Louis County; 2) the township would be able to obtain the property for an easement turnaround by eminent domain or 3) the township could purchase the property for a turn around from Robertson.
Presentation by Robertson: She cited the July 10, 2007 Public Hearing related to an adjoining parcel of hers where she indicated a willingness to negotiate with the township for an easement providing the current non-buildable lot could receive a variance. Robertson indicated she is not willing to go an additional 90 feet but would provide adequate property for a quality turn around.
Don Putnam: Has concern about placement of driveway to parcel in question for adequate area to plow and deposit snow. Robertson indicated that the driveway to the 5-acre parcel would be at the end of the current Lauren Road ending.
Kerry Leider: What is the easement width?
Putnam: The road easement is 33 feet.
Leider: What space is required for a turn around for various vehicles, including snow dumping?
Robertson: At least a 45 ft. by 45 ft. area.
Leider: Who maintains current turn around area?
Putnam: The Township.
Leider: How could the Town obtain additional road area if desired?
Mears: Through a process.
Chair Geving: Is the 5-acre a lot of record?
Robertson: It has been a lot of record since 1977.
Leider: What are the minimum requirements for a turn around as required by the County?
Putnam: 40 ft. by 60 ft. is usually considered adequate.
Mears: Feels he should bring the issue to the Board of Supervisors before a decision is made.
Neighbor Jim Findley: Supports a turn around and in the proposed location.
There was discussion among the Board members about the need for additional specific information and it was suggested that the meeting be recessed until such information could be obtained.
Motion by Ann Cutts to recessed the Hearing to Tuesday, October 9 or Wednesday, October 10 at 7 p.m. Dates will be checked by Cutts to verify availability to attend. The clarified date will be noticed to the Town Office. Second by Leider. Motion Carried.
Note: Ann Cutts left message with Town Office on Wed., Sept. 11 that Tuesday, October 9 was the date available. The Clerk informed members and applicant of the date of Tuesday, October 9 at 7 p.m. as the recessed meeting date.
Respectfully Submitted;
Gene Bromenshenkel
Town of Lakewood Clerk