Supmin

Board of Adjustment

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS

May 19, 2010

Board of Supervisors’ Room, Courthouse, Waukon, Iowa

Meeting was called to order at 4:45 P. M. by Chairman Dr. Bernard Pratte.

Roll call of Commission Members: Term Expires

Chair Bernard Pratte Present 12/31/2010

Nancy Walleser Absent 12/31/2010

Vacancy 12/31/2013

John Goettel Present 12/31/2013

Carl Larson Present 12/31/2014

Planning and Zoning Staff present: Tom Blake, Zoning Administrator.

All Board members voting “AYE” unless noted. MCU means Motion Carried Unanimously.

Motion by Larson and second by Goettel to approve agenda. Motion carried Unanimously (MCU).

The minutes of April 29, 2010 were not available and action on them was tabled.

Meyer, Mike (Meyers Bottom Ventures, LLC)—variance request 008-10

Chairperson Dr. Bernard Pratte opened the Public Hearing on the variance request by Mike Meyer.

Zoning Administrator Tom Blake presented the staff report. Meyer has requested a variance from Section 401.2.10 Access Drives and Access be granted to allow them to construct a 16’ x 36’ cabin on this property without providing the required Right of Way width of 66’ and without providing the required 22’ surfaced width. Blake’s staff report had the following exhibits attached to it:

	Exhibit 008-10A. Permit Application.
	Exhibit 008-10B. Letter denying permit from previous Interim Zoning Administrator Bill Ziegler.
	Exhibit 008-10C. Beacon print of site and alternate access route.
	Exhibit 003-10D. List of adjoining property owners, notification letter and response letters.

Blake conditionally recommended approval of the Right of Way width variance and an alternate route of access to Volney Road that could allow for a 22’ wide surfaced width. Blake advised that the existing drive was accessible only under ideal weather conditions and with a four wheel drive. It was not suitable for emergency vehicle access.

Mike Meyer was sworn in by Chairman Pratte. Meyer advised that the alternate access that Blake recommends is not available at this time. Ownership has been claimed by adjoining property owners and a legal route to clear title to the property is being pursued. He admitted he had begun construction on the cabin under advice from contractors that a permit was not needed. He found out later that one was needed and he halted construction immediately. The cabin would be primitive, no water or sewer. Currently they use port-a-potties and him and his brothers immediate family were the only users of the property. Their use would be very limited, only 2 – 4 times per year. The cabin was merely a method for them to get out of the weather. There was no plan to expand on that use. He advised it cost $20,000 to gravel the existing driveway, which is over a ¼ mile long. Plus it would take a great deal of work on the hillside to bring it to the required width. He did not own enough property to widen the easement area to the west. That access easement was only 10’ wide.

Motion made by Larson to approve the variance request from Mike Meyer upon the condition(s) that the use will be restricted to the sporadic use of a primitive cabin (structure without utilities installed) and that the alternate access will be utilized when or if it becomes available. MCU.

Larson made a motion to adjourn. Goettel seconded. MCU.

Minutes Prepared and submitted by:

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Tom Blake, Zoning Administrator