2021.11.09 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

October 26,2021 Page 4 of 12 Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned how these financials compared to how the 2022 financials will look. She asked if staff and the Council was being too optimistic at this point in time. City Manager Massopust reported staff had been optimistic and did not believe the pandemic would linger into the third quarter. He indicated staff was hoping revenues would fall back into line in 2022. Motion by Councilmember Allen,seconded by Councilmember Axberg to accept the Third Quarter 2021 Interim Financial Statements. A roll call vote was taken. 5 Ayes,0 Nays-Motion Carried 2.Consider a Resolution 2. Consider a Resolution Approving or Denying a Special Use Permit to Authorize an Approving or Denying a oversized garage at 720 McCallum Road. Special Use Pennit to Authorize an oversized garage at 720 McCallum City Manager Massopust indicated Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola would Road. be presenting this item to the Council. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola stated Mike Blomquist and Raynie Sutherland, owners of 720 McCallum Drive, are seeking to construct a detached oversized garage on their property"to enclose multiple personal belongings so they are out of sight and properly stored." He reported neighbors are adamantly opposed to the application citing mainly an illegal home occupation that's been operating from the property in recent years. The applicant admitted to not following home occupation regulations during the COVID shutdown months, and indicates all business activities are being moved to a property north of the Cities. Illegal business operations and frequent infractions on other areas of code are the primary reasons cited for the significant public opposition to this permit request. Staff reviewed the history of violations on this property from 2018 through 2021 and commented on the illegal home occupation. The City's general requirements for accessory structures were reviewed with the Council. It was noted at this time, the applicant is proposing a one-story garage with siding, trim, roof pitch and building materials that match the primary home. The primary differences between the proposed detached garage and the attached garage are 8 foot doors, and an additional 1-foot area between the tops of the garage doors and the roof soffit above. The resulting height difference between existing and proposed, from base elevations to the peaks of their roofs, is 2 feet. Staff noted half of the Planning Commission on 10/19 (2 members) felt this or a modified version of the plan does meet SUP criteria, and the other half(2 members) believe the garage will only be compatible with the home if it matches the height of the existing attached garage and has similar characteristics. If those changes were made, the two members opposed to the SUP application in its current form would have supported the proposal as such changes would eliminate their finding of opposition. It was noted the illegal home occupation can inform the discussion but should not be the sole decision to deny the request. Staff commented further on the request and reviewed the options available to the Council. Councilmember Allen questioned who lived at the property.Mike Blomquist stated a friend of his lives in the home,along with a family member. Councilmember Allen asked where these individuals kept their vehicles.Mr.Blomquist noted these vehicles were stored in the driveway. Councilmember Allen inquired if the business address had been moved.Mr.Blomquist indicated the business address has been moved out of New Brighton to Lindstrom. Councilmember Allen questioned why the personal items that need to be stored could not be stored in Lindstrom.Mr.Blomquist indicated he has always had the intent of building a garage on this property in order to have adequate storage. Councilmember Allen asked if there was adequate space in Lindstrom to store all of the business equipment. Mr.Blomquist reported there was.