City Council Minutes 2016 07 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes July 19, 2016 Page 13 of 15 enough to be subdivided, because of dimensions, could not be subdivided and meet the requirements. Public good is creating more compatible lot sizes and development within Old Town. Staff recommends City Council approve the replat request for 105 Roosevelt Avenue by approving Resolution No. 36, Series 2016. Applicants Creel and Pat Kerss, 105 Roosevelt Avenue, stated the reason they want to divide the lots as described is to save the existing ranch style house and keep in style with the neighborhood and build a ranch house on the new lot and keep the character of the small houses on that stretch of street. They felt this subdivision would be a good fit in the neighborhood. Mayor Muckle noted this has not always worked out well in the past as Tots have been subdivided and then still built large homes on the site. He asked if the current house could be landmarked to assure the house would stay smaller. Mr. Kerss stated he didn't know enough about that process to know if landmarking would be a good idea. He noted none of the other lot subdivisions that have been approved were asked to do this. Council member Loo and Council member Leh noted they were uncomfortable with asking the applicant to landmark at this time. Council member Stolzmann stated this request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan but did not see that the unnecessary hardship criterion was being met. The Kerss's stated their intent was to maintain the character of Old Town and they feel this will do that without a huge house being built on the existing lot. Council member Maloney asked how staff found the unnecessary hardship. Planner Robinson stated that if divided it won't meet the width to depth ratio which creates the hardship. Garrett Mundelein, 555 County Road, stated he supports the subdivision to maintain smaller houses on the two lots as everything around there is being replaced with larger homes. Mr. Kerss noted his many letters of support for this subdivision to keep smaller houses on these lots. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton stated there is a lack of legal tools to keep Old Town from being densified which is frustrating. He asked if the intention of this proposal is to maintain the small existing house. Planner Robinson responded that is the stated intention, but there is no guarantee on this. Mayor Muckle stated he also felt there was no proven hardship.