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Schiferl said that, during the concept discussion, concern was expressed about headlights from vehicles turning into the easement area. The Commission also discussed landscaping. Has Schell addressed the landscaping? Teague responded that Schell has not addressed landscaping in this application. Schell pointed out that he increased the easement to 25 feet. Teague asked the applicant if he planned to landscape the area. Schell said he did not recall a discussion about landscaping. Larson asked about the existing driveway. An island is shown in that location on the Ramsey County reconstruction plans. If the City asked Ramsey County for a curb cut to the existing driveway, the long road on the back of the property would not be needed. The City is making such a request for the Bru House. A curb cut would leave the green space to the west and would put the traffic in one place. Has this idea been considered? Schell responded that the existing grade has a drop to the south that would make a curb cut unworkable. In conversation with the City Planner, the City indicated that a curb cut on Silver Lake Road would not be the best way to go as an entrance off 14th was seen as the safer option. Larson stated the City Council would make the final decision. The Council’s decision may differ from the City Planner’s recommendation. Larson said that putting a road on the west side of the property and having another driveway twenty or thirty feet from it seems ridiculous. Schell stated that a curb cut for a single family home was unusual since the lot would generate little traffic. Teague stated the Staff Recommendation was based on conversations with the City Engineering Department and with Ramsey County. Both Ramsey County and the New Brighton Engineering Department recommended that access off of 14th Street was a safer entrance to this site. However, if the Planning Commission and Council decide that the curb cut off Silver Lake is the way to go, the City can certainly pursue it. Schiferl asked about the City’s obligation in this lot split. Teague responded that the lot split meets the lot standards; the issue is access. Schiferl stated that the lack of safe access may be grounds on which to deny the subdivision. Schiferl asked if the site could be split into two lots. Schell answered he always planned on three lots. Livingston stated this is a public hearing and asked if anyone in the audience wanted to speak on the issue. Al Goetsch, 2508 14th Street NW, stated his home is immediately to the north of the existing property. Goetsch stated he understood the property is currently one lot. How is it possible for Schell to sell part of it? Teague stated the property has not been subdivided, and the applicant could not sell property that does not yet legally exist. Schell stated the sale is contingent on the lot split. Goetsch stated he thought the lot split had gone through the City because Schell has a Bobcat digging the perimeter for a garage. Schell stated he has a building permit to build a garage, which has nothing to do with the lot split. Goetsch stated he has lived in his home for twenty-one years. During that time, the property has changed owners several times. Each owner has wanted that old house to remain on the site. Schell should demolish the old house and build two homes on the site. One lot would have access from Silver Lake Road and the other from 14th Street. Goetsch said U-turns were not allowed in the area; many vehicles turn around in Goetsch’s driveway daily. Vehicles will also use the two added driveways to turn around. Livingston asked if Goetsch was advocating two lots instead of three. Goetsch answered affirmatively. Goetsch said that the long driveway behind the existing homes would not be necessary. However, every owner of the site has wanted to keep that old house there. Goetsch said he was very concerned about the traffic congestion. Donald Sroka, 1375 26th Avenue NW, stated his home is directly west of the site in question. Sroka stated his opinion is exactly that of Goetsch. Schell mentioned the traffic to Lots B and C would be two cars per day. That is not a realistic estimate. The corner has heavy traffic and three homes would compound the I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\MINUTES\1999\06-15-99.WPD 2