PC SUM 2005 06 21CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
JUNE 21, 2005
Chairman Sacchet called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m..
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Uli Sacchet, Deborah Zorn, Kurt Papke, Mark Undestad, Debbie
Larson, Dan Keefe and Jerry McDonald
STAFF PRESENT:
Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Senior Planner; Paul Oehme, City Engineer/Public
Works Director; and Lori Haak, Water Resource Coordinator
PUBLIC PRESENT FOR ALL ITEMS:
Debbie Lloyd 7302 Laredo Drive
Jim Broughton 6927 Highover Court North
Janet Paulsen 7305 Laredo Drive
PUBLIC HEARING:
REQUEST FOR VARIANCE TO ALLOW A SUBSTANDARD DRIVEWAY TO BE
UTILIZED AS A PRIVATE STREET TO SERVE MORE THAN ONE LOT ON
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6281 TETON LANE, JERRY STORY, APPLICANT,
PLANNING CASE NO. 05-19.
Public Present:
Name Address
th
Jerry and Karon Story 12137 88 Place North
Cynthia Gallo 16799 Terrey Pine Drive, Eden Prairie
Naomi Carlson 5055 Cathcart Drive, Excelsior
Gary & Karen Dohse 6251 Teton Lane, Excelsior
John & Sue Kuntz 6441 Bretton Avenue
Peter Korolchuk 6330 Teton Lane, Excelsior
Sharmeen Al-Jaff presented the staff report on this item. Commissioner Papke asked about
similar variances in the city or this area. Staff stated there were none. Commissioner Keefe
asked about access off Powers Boulevard and historical information on discussions held between
the applicant and the city when this parcel was purchased. Commissioner McDonald asked for
clarification on previous attempts to develop this property, private streets and driveways.
Commissioner Larson asked about the placement of the private street. The applicant, Jerry
th
Story, 12137 88 Place North, Maple Grove provided historical information on discussions with
city staff since they purchased this parcel 14-15 years ago and his feeling that this property is
land locked under the rules of the State of Minnesota. Commissioner McDonald asked the
applicant to clarify the conditions and restrictions of the easement to his property.
Planning Commission Summary – June 21, 2005
Commissioner Papke asked about the current use of the property. Chairman Sacchet opened the
public hearing. Rob LaFleur, an attorney representing neighbors Robert Rabe who owns the
adjoining property to the west at 6307 Teton Lane; Naomi Carlson who owns the adjoining
properties to the south at 6397 and 6411 Bretton Way; Gary and Karen Dohse who own the
adjoining property to the northwest at 6251 Teton Lane; Kirk and Cami Swanson who live
directly across from the subject easement at 6340 Teton Lane; and Greg and Patty Bazany
toward the south with an address of 6420 Bretton Way. He explained the reasons why these
neighbors strongly support the staff recommendation for denial of the requested variance, i.e. it
being a substandard street, utility extensions, public safety, and drainage issues. Naomi Carlson,
fee owner of the easement, stated that there would be legal problems involved with the easement
if this variance request was approved. Chairman Sacchet closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Keefe asked about getting a written legal opinion of the issue of whether or not
this property is land locked. After commission discussion the following motion was made.
McDonald moved, Zorn seconded that the Planning Commission recommends denial of
Variance 05-19 for a 16 foot variance from the 30 foot wide easement requirement, a 6 foot
variance from the 20 foot pavement width requirement and a variance to allow a private
street based on the findings of fact in the staff report. All voted in favor and the motion
carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Keefe noted the verbatim and summary
minutes of the Planning Commission meeting dated June 7, 2005 as presented.
Chairman Sacchet adjourned the Planning Commission meeting at 7:50 p.m..
Submitted by Kate Aanenson
Community Development Director
Prepared by Nann Opheim
2