Email ResponsesSteckling, Jean
from:
Scnt:
To:
SubjGCt
Walters, Ma(Kenzie
Monday, May 13, 2019 7:51 AM
Steckling, Jean
FW: 3517 Red Cedar Point Road ' variance
From: davemeryjo@aol.com <davemaryjo@aol com>
S.nt: Friday, May 10, 2019 4:40 PM
To: kaaenenson@ci.chanhassen.mn.us; walters, MacKenzie <Mwalters@ci.chanhassen.mn.us>
Subject: Re: 3617 Red Cedar Point Road - variance
Kate & MacKenzie,
We are $riting this email in respons€ to the variance request at 3617 Red Cedar Point Road' 5 houses east of our house
on Lake Minneweshta.
we arB gonerally in support of the proposed development, holvever, have a serious concem regarding the lack ol off: -
.tr*t p"'*ing rie City'cooe requiiei'aoequ+ otrlstreet parking.be pro/ided and requires a minimum stall length of 18
ieet.
-if"arfinA
pnn ioes not iroviae nil fn" turr"y does n6t str6w tre proposed distance trom the edge of tho
;;^t ,*i tffg io garage tdr parr,ing cars in the driveway, howe\€r, it appears to be approximatety 11 bet ln the
.
;Ji;rH hd;t*'"rp[s"ja -nE. for adequate off sreei pafiing. I am not aware of an_yrranances granted since the
Lunent zoning orOinances was put in place in dre l976's that allowed a driv ey l33s $an 18' in length The two
properfies
".iost
tre ste€t are very tEht on ofi-steet parking bul both can accommodate hro \rehicles and both were
bn'"truaeo *ett uebre the cunent zoning rules were established'
This conditioo is even mofe extreme than typical b€caus€ the roads in this neighborhood are extremely nanow From our
norr"i"ii io Ut"
"nd
of the point the road'is too nanow to park a car without blocking vehicular travel' this includes ule
iL" of n" proposeo development. Red Cedar Point Road ind South Cedar Drive are slightly wider.lr'€st of the
inter.""ion'ilr6*ing for parliing on one one side of the road, horlever. people ofien park 2' ontoour lawn on both streets
in oiOii to o""t" ,-orc room blr can to pass resulting in tom sod, mud and damage to o-ur sprinkler system since the city
oia not instatt curtring when the roads rire upgraaeoi whil€ this is a realty as a result oJ platting long betore the zoning
coo" ,rras
"oopoo,
ie dont want to see it milnified by making it worse than it akcedy B - espeoally when there are
i&"oniof. aftLraes. Reducing g1e deptr ot f,re garaleunouse from the prcposed 17''2" lo 41 bet u,ould allow the
minimum required bf cars to perk the length of the driveway
We are pleased to see pam stay in $e neighboftood and have verbally expressed this concem to her. We trust $e staff
can work with tie applicant to address this concern
Thank you for your consideration.
Dave & Mary Jo Bangas.ser
3633 South Cedar Drive
Chenhassen. MN 55331
I
Steckling,
Frpm:
S.nt
To:
Su$cct
Walters, MacKenzie
Monday, May 20, 2019 1:01 PM
Steckling, rean
FW: Proposed variance for 3617 Red Cedar Point Rd
Fmm: Nancy Renneke <nancyrennekewrites@Smail.com>
Scnt: Monday, May 20, 2019 12:04 PM
To: Walters, MacKenzie <MWalte6@ci.chanhass€n.mn.u5>
Subject Proposed variance for 3517 Red Cedar Point Rd
Dear Ms. Walters:
Hello, I am writing to support our neighbor, Pam Reimer, in her request for a property varianoe.
We live just a fei,y lots past her new property at 3617 Red Cedar Point Rd. We are nelv to the
neighborhood, but I recently visited with her and trust that she'll be a good stewad of her future home
and'Lake Minnewashta. We're exciled that a responsible buyer has come along to finally take care of
this lot the way it deserves to be maintained. lt's a potentially beautiful lot, but the old Sears cabin is
run down and the lot needs the loving care - and grass - Pam will provide. Her ownership will make
the neighborhood betterfor all and I hope you'll agree that her plans are appropriate.
It's my understanding that Pam's proposal offers adequate parking and it's apparent that her
proposed driveway is not unusual for our little community. lf you've driven down our street, you'll
appreciate that this is a unique neighborhood where houses are close together, the street is nanow
and everyone's parking is limited. That's part of its lakeside neighborhood charm. The p€ninsula is a
dead end and it's apparent to us already that this isn't a street with traflic other than people who live
here and our guests. lt's our understanding and experience that since \rre all live on a unique street,
everyone cooperates with each other. Case in point, one of our neighbors just gave us permission to
bonow part of his driveway for two days to park our boat before we are able to get in the water.
I hope you and the planning commission will see that our street is unique, and that Pam's variance
request suits the neighborhood. We feel lucky that Pam - an experienoed homeo,vner and good
neighbor on the lake - will redevelop that site, and we hope her variance request will be approved,
allowing construc{ion of a beautiful home that will enhan@ our neighborhood.
Thank you.
Jean
Regards,
Nanry Renneke
3607 Red Cedar Point Rd.
I
Steckling.
From:
SGnt
To:
SubiGCt
Attrchm.nls:
Walters, MacKenzie
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 7:56 AM
Steckling, rean
FW: 3617 Red Cedar Point Road Variances
5.20.19 Rcd Cedar Point Garage Survey l.pdf
From: Steve Gunther <stguntherCgmail.com>
S.,tt Tuesday, May 21, 2019 7:09 AM
To: wahers, MacKenzie <Mwalters@ci.chanhass€n.mn.us>; kaaenenronOci.chanhassen.mn.us
SubiGGt 361/ Red Cedar Point Road Variances
Mackenzie and Kate.
I am writing this email in response to the Variance Requests for 3617 Red Cedar Point Road(the former Souba
properly). This is the same input that I offered when this propert) $as considercd for variances several months
ago. I objected to thosc variance requests. feeling that the lot size. road uidth and the trallic panem wele not
consisteat with rhe large house being considered for construction on rhat lot. My objections remain. I hope this
time you uill tisten to the input from the neighbors who are to tx forever affected by your decisions.
Firsr. as the presidenr ofthe Lake Minnewashta Prcsen'ation Association and an owner on the lake since 1998. I
objecr to providing a hard cover variance for this propertl because of the effect it lr'ill have on water qualiq in
the lake. The morc hardcover a property has. the less chance that rainwater has ro drain through the soil and be
filrercd before k enters Lake Minnewashta. The LMPA has been spending considerable effon educating
homeowners to lgbeg hardcover on their propenies for the good ofthe lake and all its users. We
need more vegetation not less.
On the road side. runoff from the driveway sen'icing the proposed 3 car driveway uill increase the transport of
petroleum products and leaves and grass clippings into the storm drains. This sen'es to introduce contaminants
into rhe lake. The impact ofthe petroleum products is obvious. The leaves and clippings serve as a nutrient
source for the algae in the lake, which degrades the water qualitl' for everyone. A previous owner violated the
hardcover limit and added a larger than allo$'ed Class 5 drivewaS'. That deviation should have been remediated.
not made permanenl. Reducing the hard cover (by 44 square feet) t-et slil[ exceeding the hardcover requirement
is not good enough.
While I object to the lake setback variance requesl. I understand compromises must be made on a non-
conforming lot. I expect that Chanhassen and the Watershed District uill requirc proper shoreline planting
I
Jean
buffering or a rain garden to prevent direct runoff into the lake. LMPA board member Kevin Zahler is a trained
Master arer Ste.iard and oitcrs his rn'ices without charge to rcsidents to help explain and plan this kind of
action. Hc can bc reached ar 612{18-9817 or via email at kjzahlerg-hotmail com
I also objecr to the street setback variance for safety reasons. t believe that. given the lot sizc, tlle number of
street-f;ing garage spaces should be rcduced to 2. Because 3 garage sralls are planned, that rcduces the front
setback on i Jrreeyiniersection that is inordinarely small and tighr. lfa car or walercraft/trailer is hanging into
the str€et on lhat driveway space. it creates an undue hazard for others. irrcluding large garbage trucks. snon
ploq,s and emergency vehicles thar have lo navigate lhos€ ver)'tight roads. The average-car length is 14-16
iect. For refercnie. a Honda Civic is over l5 feet long. lt looks like this drive*ay space is less than that. more
like I l -12 feet.
Having only a 2 car garage should not be considered a hardship for owners in this neighborhood where lots are
narror,rl andsmall. Every lakeside house on Red Cedar Point. South Shorc Drive and Hickory Road has no mone
than 2 garages excepl rhose that have much larger frontage or have side loaded garages. I've attached a marked
up ROF forlour use. All homes constructed or remodeled in the last l5 years. with the exception of one house.
have been constructed with only tr^.,o garages facing the street'
If Ms. Reimer insists on having three stalls. wh! not have one of them be double deep? That eliminates the need
for a street setback variance. It also reduces the amount of driveway- (hardcover) you need to scrvice the 3
spaces. We did thar *ith our house built in 2003 as a way to contain the footprint ofour house within the 25%
hard cover limit.
I may not be able to attend the Ptanning Commission meeting on Tuesday May 2lst but *ill do my besr to be
there. In lieu ofthat. please accept this email as m1'objections to lhe hardcover and str€et sdback variance
r€quests.
I,ve copied m1. neighbon *'ho mighr be affecred by these variance requests u'ith my commerls in case they
would like to send on rheir own.
Steve Gunther
3628 Hickor.'- Road. Chanhassen. MN 55331
president, [:ke Minnewashta Prcsen'ation Association
stgun ther a qmail.c ()m
Citizen I Investor I lr{ultispons Enthusiast
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Steckling. Jean
Ftom:
S.rt
To:
ssbi.ct
F]Dm: Helen Gunther <helen.Sunth€r@results.net>
SGnt Monday, May 2O,2Ol9 7:27 PM
To: Walters, MacKenzie <MWalters@ci.chanhass€n.mn.us>
Subjrt variance for 3617 Red cldar Point Rd.
I am writing to express my concern for the proposed home to be built on 3517 Red Cedat Point Rd. As a homeowner on
the lake I am enremely concerned about the plans for the new home. I was very concerned and disappointed when you
approved the plans fo. the last home that was proposed for this lot. I felt it was way too bi8 for the size lot and th€
impact to the late and the surrounding neighbors was extremely detrimental.
I also think whoever builds on a lot that is hss than X acre should build a home appropriate to the size of the
lot...especially for a lakeshore lot. Red Cedar Point is a very narrow street, with little room for cars, trucks or emer8ency
vehicles to go through as it is. Allowing a driveway as narrow as the one proposed is 8oin8 to cause accidents,
frustrations, and po$ibly even danterous situations if emergencl/ vehicles are unable to Bet throuSh.
Furthermore, hardly any homes on the point have a 3 car gara3e. The few that do are on much larger lots, and none of
them erceed the hardcover code. The bt iust does not lend its€lf to a 3 car taraSe. The tarate needs to be furthet away
from the street, which will increase hardcover, but it's why the home should only be approved for a 2 car garate.
Last time plans for this lot were brought before the plannint commission, the board was happy the potentaal owner was
not asking for a side yerd setback. This seemed incredulou3 to me since the lot is 80 feet wide and shouldn't need a side
yard setback. Most of the people comint before the commission looking for side yard s€tbacls heve lots that are only y)
or 60 feet wide. Someone ought to b€ able to build a lovely home on an 80 foot wide lot.
I
Walters, MacKenzie
Tueday, May 21, 2019 7:59 AM
Steckling,.,ean
Fw: varian(e for 3517 Red cedar Point Rd.
I realize there is more hardcover on the property now than building code allows, and I realize the propo3€d house plans
reduce that hardcover a tiny bit. But I have a hard time believing that asphalt and a house absorb water or run off at the
same rate as class 5 travel. You might consider class 5 gravel hardcover, but I don't think it has the same lack of runotf
as asphalt. The absorption rate cannot possibly be the same. So I would uBe you to approve a plan where there was a
more significant reduction in hardcover.
Are the plans that are attached conect? ls this the home that will b€ built? Th€ plans call for a beckya.d patio, but the
plans show windows across the back of the home. ls the owner toin8 to crawl out the window to 8et to the Patio? Are
you really sure this is the home that will be buih?
I understand the lot is non{onforming and variances are needed to build on it. But I would urte the commission to s€nd
the owner bact to their architecvbuilder to come up with a plan for a home more suited to the size of the lot end take
into account the restrictions of the neithborhood and the road.
One more thint. I don't think the owner should be p€nalized for this, but how are all the construction vehicles goinS to
be able to park and not block the neighboB who need the road to access their homes?
I rtrontly u'te the commission to have the homeowner reduce the size of the home they are requ.sting to make it mote
appropriate for the lot. Ihank you foryour consideration in this matter.
Helen
DREAM W]TH
YOUR EYES OPEN.
Lrt mo br your guE..
3{ekn Quntfrer
Tfie Ritter (eam
BE/iffiC"cntg
ET
2
Steckling. Jean
From:
Scnt
To:
Subjcct
Walters, MacKenzie
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 12:54 PM
St6kling, Jean
Fw: 3617 Red Cedar Point Road Variances
Thank you,
Keith Paap
keith.@oaao.net (email )
I will be unable to attend the planning meeting this evening and I would like to echo Mr. Grmthet's
concems/objections on these variances. My name is Keith Paap and I live at 3601 Red Cedar Point Rd.
The lake setback variance is not ideal, however problems may be mitigated by shoreline buffering as was
suggestd. However tlle street setback variance is of particular concem and m1' primary' objection. As a
resident that must &ive through this str,etch daily, I am concemed about the access and safety along this stretch
of road. This is a stretch of road that is single lane wirh no available street parking. Tuo cars cannot pass side
by side on this sretch of road so any parking along the sueet in this atea *ill simply block the mad. I f the
depth ofthe driveway does not pmvide adequare space for visitor parking at this location there would be no
where for them to park without blocking access on the stre€l.
The setback varia1c€ request may be consistent with the corners of the adjacenl home, but the neighboring
home as a side entance garage allou'ing for a deepcr &iveu'ay for off street parking, Making surc this s€tback
provides enough depth for off streel parking while avoiding adding sigrificant hardcover by making it thret
$alls wide may be handled with a double deep garage as suggestd.
Access on the streer will also be of panicular concem during consmrcdon as *'orkers tend to leave vehicles
along the srreet as was the case during construction at 3627 Red Cedar Poinl Rd. The access and safety concems
during construction will be temporary. Not providing adequate setback for vehicles to remain off the street
while at &e residence would bc a permanent hardship for those ofus that must travel this stretch of road daily.
I
On Tue. May 21. 2019 at 7:09 AM Steve Cunther <stqunther, smail.com> $role:
Mackenzie and Kare.
I am *riting rhis email in response to the Variance Requests for 3617 Red Cedar Point Road(the former Souba
prop€rty). i.,it it th. o.. input that I offered when this propeny was considered for variances several months
ago. I objected to those variance requests. feeling that the lot size, road width and the traffrc pattem were not
cinsist.nr with the large house being considered for consrnrction on that tot. My objections remain. I hope this
time you will lisren to the input from the neighbors who are to be forcver affected b1' your decisions.
First. as rhe president ofthe Lake Minnewashu Preservation Association and an owner on the lake since 1998-
t object to providing a hard cover variance for this property because of the effect it will have on watcr quality
in the lake. The more hardcor.r a propmy has. the less chance that rainwater has to drain through the soil and
be filrercd before it enters Lake Minnenashta. The LMPA has been spending considerable effort educating
homeowners to reduce hardcover on their properties for the good ofthe lake and all its usen. We
need more vegetation not less.
On the road side. runoff from fie driveuay sen'icing the proposed 3 car driveway uitl increase the transpon of
petroleum products and leaves and grass clippings into the storm drains. This senes to introduce conuminants
into the lake. The impact of the petroleum products is obvious. The leaves and clippings serve as a nutrient
source for the algae in the lake. which degrades the water qualiq for everyone. A previous owner violated the
hardcover limit and added a larger than allon'ed Class 5 drive*ay. That deviation should have bcen
remediated. not made permanent. Reducing rhe hard cover (by ,14 square feet) yet still excceding the hardcover
requirement is not good enough.
While I object to the lake setback variance r€quest. I undersund compromises must be made on a non-
conforming lor. I expecr thaiChanhassen and the Watershed Distrio uill require propet shorcline planting
buffering o-r a rain garden ro prevenl dircct runoff into the lake. LMPA board mcmber Kevin Zahler is a trained
Masrer ftarer Steu'ard and oifers his services u'ithoul charye to residents lo help explain and plan this kind of
action. He can be reached at 612-618-9817 or via email at kjzahler@hotmail'com
I also object to the streer setback variance for safety reasons. I believe that, given the lot size, the number of
sueet-facing garage spaces should be reduced to 2. Because 3 garage stalls are planned..that reduces the front
serback on i itteJfint-ersecrion that is inordinately small and tight. lfa car or watercraft/trailer is hanging into
rhe strget on that driveway space. it crcates ur undue hazard for others. including large g8rbage trucks, snow
plows and emergency vehicies that have to navigate those very light roads. The average. car lcngrh is l4'16
ieet. For referenc".
"
Hondu Citi. is over l5 feet long. ft looks like this driveway space is less than that. more
like I l -12 feet.
Having only a 2 car garage should not be considered a hardship for ownen in rhis neighborhood where lors are
nano*I andsmalt. every tateside house on Red Cedar Point. South Shore fhive and Hickory Road has no
more than 2 garages exccpr those that have much larger frontage or have side loaded garag.es. I've attached a
marked up Rbf f6r your use. All homes constnrcted br remodeled in the last I 5 years. rith the exception of
one house. have been constructed $ith onll t'*o garages facing the street.
lf Ms. Reimer insists on having three stalls, uhl not have one of them be double deep? That eliminates the
need for a streel sctback varianie. Ir also reduces the amount of driveway (hardcover) you need to sen'ice the 3
spaces. We did that u,ith our house built in 2003 as a way to contain the footprint of our house within lbe 25o/o
hard cover limit.
2
I may nor be able to atrend the Planning Commission,meeting on Tuesday May 2tst but willdo my best to be
therc. In lieu ofthat. please accepr fiis;mail as my objections to the hardcover and $reet setback variance
requests.
I,ve copied my neighbon who might be affected by these variance requests with my comments in case they
would tike to send on their own.
Steve Grmther
3628 Hickory- Road, Chanhassen' MN 55331
president. [:ke Minnewashta Preservation Association
$suntherargmail.com
Citizen I Investor I Multispons Enthusiast
3