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Planning commission approves variance; council hears proposals for ADU, tree ordinance and possible roadway vacation
Summary
The planning commission approved a variance allowing a reduced lot size for an applicant who plans an accessory dwelling unit and a larger new house; the council discussed tree trimming responsibility and heard that a private surveyor suggested vacating 20 feet of a roadway, prompting a special meeting.
The towns planning commission approved a variance to allow a reduced lot size for an applicant seeking to reconfigure property and build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The applicant, identified in the meeting as Austin Dickson, indicated he will make the existing main house the ADU and construct a new larger dwelling on the parcel; commission members recorded a vote in favor of a 0.74-acre (reported as "0.74") lot configuration.
Council members and staff discussed roadside trees and municipal responsibility. The towns lawyer (referred to in the meeting as Annie) told the commission and council that when tree trimming is undertaken at the towns direction, the tree trimmer is responsible for safety and tree-health work only; the homeowner does not control what the trimmer does under that arrangement. Council members discussed bringing an ordinance to the next council agenda that would make property owners responsible for trees located along the roadway, following examples in other towns. Staff asked that the tree-responsibility item be placed on the next agenda for council consideration.
Separately, the council discussed a private surveyors suggestion to vacate 20 feet of an 80-foot platted roadway so a property owner would not have to move improvements during a replat. Surveyor Matt Hansen was named in the discussion. Council members cautioned that vacating or altering platted rights-of-way requires a public process, approval by the town council and state sign-off; no formal decision was made. A special meeting was set for Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the matter further.
The planning commission discussion also included a request for a right-of-way that would apply only to users of a small storage area and not to the general public; staff advised the applicant to have the property surveyed and a mylar prepared before a formal submittal to planning commissioners and the council. The transcript records the planning commission and council providing informal guidance and scheduling additional consideration rather than taking final council action on the roadway vacation.
