HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-18 AJ Paron Ltr to City Objecting To Driveway Expansion Resident AJ Paron
6395 Peacan Ave N
Oak Park Heights MN 55082
612-581-0975
September 18, 2022
RE: Driveway expansion for neighbor on 64th Street
I'm writing in regard to the proposed expansion of driveway for our neighbor on 64th street.
I strongly opposed to the request for a variety of reasons.
1) My large bay window in the main living area of my house looks directly(AT EYE LEVEL)at their
driveway as my house is kitty corner and sunken below their house. Increased parking of
vehicles will detract from the natural beauty I deserve to have as I am living in a residential
community. There is no way I could add fencing or any type of privacy screen as my driveway is
in between my window view and their driveway. I am concerned this will also diminish my
resale value of my home (which is the highest value in the surrounding community).
2) The common width of 28 feet per the rest of the neighborhood should be more than adequate
to accommodate their vehicles or trailers they may need to store. More than that would mean
they need to accommodate a renter or renters upstairs of their garage, or commercial vehicle
and/or equipment.
3) All of the other neighbors have followed the city guidelines. I personally rent space to store my
boat,trailer and recreational vehicles. When I lived in Stillwater, my neighbor ran a construction
company out of his house and the city made him store all of his work vehicles somewhere else,
which is standard practice for many municipalities.
4) I am a certified LEED Accredited Professional and I know from my professional experience,
increased hardscape areas will increase rainwater runoff. As I am directly below their property,
I am concerned for increased water runoff that can add to erosion and damage to my property.
The neighbor directly to the left of me has had many flooding issues after the landscape was
changed due to the large roadway improvement project.
5) I have been very accommodating to this neighbor's multi-year renovation project with many
inconveniences our family had to endure but as this is a permanent change that will directly
affect my property, I must object to this planning request.
6) My last comment is that the notice that was sent out was not very clear on what the project
entailed which made me do extra homework to figure out what is going on. I'm highly
concerned our neighbors do not really understand what is being asked to be changed and the
implications. I also want to let the City Council know that I NEVER received a notice on their
renovation project which has highly impacted me. I have been in design/architecture for 30+
years and the scale of the new build is not correct. But I was never alerted to the plans so did
not have a chance to exercise my right to object.
Thank you for listening, I'm happy to answer any question you may have.
Respectfully,
AJ Paron, Hon.FASID,
Associate Member IIDA &AIA,
LEED AP ID&C, WELL AP