PL SUBCOM 07/30/1969 - 31044�
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PLATS & SUBDIVISIONS-
STREETS & UTILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE
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JULY 30, 1969
PAGE 1
ROLL CALL
ROLL CALL :
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Jensen.
Members Present:
Member Absent:
Others Present:
Myhra, Crowder, Jensen, Zeglen
Batterson
Darrel Clark, Engineering Assistant
1. VACATION UEST: SAV ��69-09, LEO 0. LEMKE: Vacate 47th Avenue between
Third Street and University Avenue (Lot 30, Block 9, Plymouth Addition).
Mr. Lemke was present.
The Engineering Assistant explained that there is one utility in the
street and that was a storm sewer 13 feet South of the centerline of the
street. This takes the water from University and carries it West, There
is an opening to drive in on the street, but no one is using it presently.
There are no garages to use the street. Half of the vacated street would
be deeded back to Mr. Lemke and the other half to the owner to the North .
However, if the owner to the North did not wish the vacation, Mr. Lemke
could request vacation of half the street.
Mr. Lemke explained that he owned just Lot 30 and needed the extra
land to make the lot buildable.
The City would have to keep a portion of the vacated land where the
storm sewer lies and this would amount to 20 feet which would give Mr.
Lemke seven feet more buildable area. The Subcommittee discussed the foot
path to University Avenue on 47th Avenue, whether or not it would be ad-
visable to discontinue it. It seemed pretty evident that there never would
be a street crossing over University Avenue at 47th Avenue, but there might
be the possibility that some day a pedestrian crossing might materialize.
If an easement were taken down the center of the street, it could be used
for a pedestrian path.
The Com4nission felt the neighbors within 300 feet should be notified
of the Planning Co�ission meeting on August 6, 1969 and asked to attend
for an informal hearing.
MOTION by Myhra, seconded by Zeglen, that the Subco�nittee recommend
approval to the Planning Commission of the vacation, SAV ��69-09, by Leo
0. Lemke, to vacate 47th Avenue between 3rd Street and University Avenue
subject to the Planning Coaunission holding an informal hearing of the
surrounding property owners to get their opinions, and also subject to
consideration being given to the foot path that presently runs through the
property, and also subject to getting the necessary easement. Upon a voice
vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
_Plats & Subs.-Str. & Util. Su°'bcommi�ttee - Julv 3U, 1969 Pa�e 2
2. LOT SPLIT REQUEST: L.S. �k69-21, WA�.TER E. WITZ�fAN: South Half of Lot 1,
Block 1, Spring Valley Addition.
Mr. Wittman was present and explained that he owned 150 feet along
Arthur Street and wanted it split into two 75 foot building sites. He has
owned the lot since 1955, and in 1965 sent a letter to the City of Fridley
asking for a lot split and received a letter stating this was already done.
The City must have referred to the original split when Mr. Wittma.n purchased
the property.
It was explained to Mr. Wittman that an overall street plan for the
area called for an Taat/WesC street midway between 64th Avenue and Mississippi
Street �o serve the internal lots in the block when split. The lots in the
area which have been split h�.ve dedicated twenty-five feet for the street.
This is a fairly well established precedent.
Mr. Wittman was informed that it would be to his advantage if he would
consider purchasing twenty-five feet from Mr. Larson, owner of the North
Half of Lot 1, in order to have two buildable lots. Mr. Wittman asked if
the Subcommittee was sure the rest of the property owners would want that
road. Chairman Jensen answered that he did not know the answer, but
experience has been in lot splits similar to this, that the people in the
older plats with one or two acre lots, decide that they are tired of big
lots and paying taxes on them. The Planning Coffinission has developed a
street plan, after a series of hearings, explaining that they are not
talking about building roads now, but want to ad�pt a plan so that if any-
one wants to divide the property, it could be done with this road plan.
It may take ten to fifteen years before the last lots are split, but this
plan is working. As the lot splits come in, the road plan is followed.
Mr. Wittman was told a 75 foot corner lot is narrow and he would have
trouble building on 75 feet because of setbacks. It would almost force
building a 1� story house.
N�TION by Crowder, seconded by Myhra, that the Plats & Subdivisions-
Streets & Utilities Subco�amnittee recommend the lot split, L.S. ��69-21,
Walter E. Wittman, of the South Half of Lot 1, Block 1, Spring Valley
Addition that this Body expressed disapproval to the Planning Com4nission
of this split. The reasons behind the disapproval involve a 25 foot road
easement which this Body deems necessary, thereby yielding a lot which is
not suitable to give two buildable lots, thus there is no logic behind
approving the lot split request. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the
motion carried unanimously.
3. LOT SPLIT REQUEST: L.S. �69-20, FRANK DIRCZ: Combine 10 feet of Lot 29
with Lot 30, Block l, Plymouth Addition.
The petitioner was not present.
The Engineering Assistant explained that Mr. Dircz was told that there
were several variances that would have to be granted before he could build.
He went before the Board of Appeals for a series of variances to build on
a 45 foot corner lot. This lot was tax forfeit and was purchased in 1963.
Because 49th Avenue is a State Aid road and heavy traffic carrier, the Sub-
coffinittee felt an 11 foot setback is inadequate inasmuch as the street is
using almost all of the right of way leaving little boulevard. There are
too ma.ny variances needed to build on the lot, and it was not the intent
Plats & Subs Str & Util Subcom � Julv 30, 1969 Pa�e 3
of the ordina.nce that all yards and spaces could be reduced at once.
The Subco�aittee is not directly opposing the statements of the Board of
Appeals, but the factors that they overlooked.
1�0TION by Crowder, seconded by Myhra, that the Plats & Subdivisions-
Streets & Utilities Subcammittee recoffinend to the Plannirg Commission
denial of the Lot Split �69-20, Frank Dircz, to combine 10 feet of Lot 29
with Lot 30, Block 1, Plymouth Addition for the following two reasons:
1) the proposed lot would have on one side 49th Avenue which is a heavily
traveled main artery affording little boulevard, and th� gxopoeed ll foot
setback seems very inadequate. 2) the total of five variances already
granted from the Board of Appeals does not seem to meet the intent of the
City ordinances designed to prevent this sort of thing. Upon a voice
vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
4. CONTINUED LOT SPLIT ��UEST• L.S ��69-19 NORTH AIR HOME ASSOCIATION,
J. R. PLEMEL: South 150 feet of Lot 18, Brookview Addition subject to
road easement over the South 50 feet.
Mr. Plemel was present.
It was noted that the land acquired for the lot split was a swamp,
and being zoned R-3, the lot would not be buildable. The Subcom�ittee
wanted to check the amount of land purchased, and wondered if it would be
to the benefit of the Knights of Columbus to purchase additional land
to the North in order to get a buildable lot. Mr. Plemel said this was
all the land the Knights of Columbus purchased and they had no further
plans for. expansion in that direction as they just needed additional
parking space.
MOTION by Myhra, seconded by Zeglen, that the Plats & Subdivisions-
Streets & Utilities Subcom�ittee recommend approval of the lot "split,
��69-19, North Air Home Association, J. R. Plemel of the South 150 feet
of Lot 18, Brookview Addition subject to road easement over the South
50 feet, subject to further investigation for the possible need of a
sewer easement. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried
unani.mously.
Mr. Plemel said the easement is in the present parking lot.
ADJOURNMENT •
MOTION by Crowder, seconded by Zeglen, that the Plats & Subdivisions-
Streets & Utilities Subcommittee meeting of July 30, 1969 be adjourned,�t
9:25 P.M. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
Re pectfull �submitted
C� G6:Gc�c c�--�..
Haze 0 Brian
Recording Secretary