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situation. Two homes, one on 14th and one on 26th, would be more practical. The proposed driveway would be immediately behind Sroka’s home. Sroka said his property value would go down because of this long drive. Barbara Sroka, 1375 26th Avenue NW, asked about the maintenance on the long driveway. Would the snow from the drive be blown onto Sroka’s lot? Although the proposed drive would be five feet from the lot line, it is very close to Sroka’s house. The new owner would have to maintain the private drive. Sroka’s home would be closer to the private drive than the proposed home would be. Sroka suggested that the curb cut could be moved to serve the two proposed homes. The driveway would be shorter and eliminate maintenance problems. Sroka stated she spoke with Schell and he said the City was going to put in a street there. The private drive would not be a City street; the City would not maintain a private driveway. The existing home should be accessed by 14th. Goetsch asked if the access for the garage Schell is building is off 14th Street or Silver Lake Road. Schell responded the access will be from 14th. Goetsch asked when did the City grant the access from 14th. Schell answered that the City granted the access when the permit was approved. Goetsch said Schell was building a garage facing 14th Street when he does not have access to 14th Street yet. Schell responded that it was a “given” when the City approved the permit for the garage. Livingston stated that was a separate issue. Tom Cunningham, 1347 26th Avenue NW, stated his home is to the west of the property in question, just south of Srokas. Cunningham stated the drive would, in effect, be an alley. The proposed drive would make the current green space behind his home into a concrete area and would detract from both sites. The maintenance of the driveway could become an issue because the City would not maintain it. After the concept discussion at the Planning Commission meeting, the neighbors understood that access could be off Silver Lake Road via the existing driveway. Is that driveway currently unusable? Why not use the existing driveway? The problem is that Schell wants to move that drive. Accidents have not occurred because the driveway is there. Two of the proposed lots should use Silver Lake Road and access to the garage that Schell is building should be from 14th. Livingston asked Teague to comment. Teague stated the Commission did discuss using the existing drive and providing a shared drive for two lots as an option in the concept review. The County could not deny access because the curb cut already exists. Livingston asked if anyone else in the audience wished to comment. Brenda Goetsch, 2508 14th Street NW, stated the site will consist of driveways and a garage. Goetsch expressed concern about the traffic that three homes would generate. Schell commented that when he purchased the property he disposed of forty tires from the site, got rid of junk cars, and filled four dumpsters full of trash. Schell stated he is trying to improve the property. Schell said he made improvements to the house. Schell said he was flexible as to the curb cut. The City and Ramsey County made the recommendation for 14th; however, a curb cut on Silver Lake Road would also work. Schell stated the property is in much better shape than it was before he purchased it. Zisla asked if the proposed drive for Lots B and C could be moved to the east. Schell responded the drive could be moved, but did not think it would answer the concerns expressed this evening. Some residents stated that would make the situation worse. Livingston stated that it would work for some residents, but not others. Zisla stated that the Commission has discussed not adding traffic to Silver Lake Road for safety reasons. I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\MINUTES\1999\06-15-99.WPD 3