BRAINERD — The original permit and a variance request for a highly debated fence in north Brainerd were withdrawn and a new permit is sought.
Community Development Director James Kramvik told the City Council Monday, Aug. 1, Holly Street homeowner Kelsie Randall withdrew her permit and variance requests for a 6-foot high backyard fence and will reapply under the city’s updated zoning code.
A permit for the fence, which will enclose the backyard on Randall’s corner lot, was issued in error earlier this year, as it did not conform to the city’s zoning code at the time. As Randall’s backyard abuts the side yard of neighbor Chuck Marohn, the permit issued should have required a 20-foot setback from the right of way. City staff, however, issued the permit with a lesser setback, operating under the new zoning code that had not yet been approved.
Marohn brought concerns over the partially constructed fence to the city, saying part of it was on his property and it did not conform to city code. Randall insisted the fence was on her property according to the information obtained from the city and county but said she would pay for a professional survey to determine the property line for sure.
Kramvik said Monday Randall reapplied for the fence permit under the new zoning code, which the City Council has since approved. Under the new code, a 6-foot high fence on corner lots can extend as far out as the frontmost facade of the home, meaning Randall’s fence could extend about 14 feet back from the sidewalk along North Fourth Street.
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In other business Monday, the council:
Accepted second quarter donations to the city: $5,000 from Brainerd Lions Club for all-inclusive playground equipment at Buffalo Hills/Lions Park; $150 from All Fried Up for the field banner program at Memorial Park; $35 from Linda Palmer for a memorial tree plaque; $150 from Pampered Pets LLC and the Car Wash for the field banner program at Buster Park; $250 from Viking Coca-Cola Bottling Co. for special events; $200 from Walleye Alliance Inc. for Kids Fishing Clinic; $500 from Northern Pacific Events for the field banner program at Memorial Park; $100 from Brainerd Lakes Chapter Muskies Inc. for Kids Fishing Clinic; $1,250 from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 31 for the field banner program at Memorial Park; $2,300 from Jeff Behr for two memorial benches; $100 from Brainerd Lakes Area Women of Today for youth pond hockey equipment; prizes for dog park events from Pampered Pets LLC and the Car Wash; gift card from Walmart; 200 gift bags and Frisbees from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; 200 fishing license holders and fish measuring stickers for boats from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; and six kids’ fishing poles from an anonymous donor.
Approved the final payment for the 2022 crack sealing project in the amount of $18,191.46 to Midwest Asphalt Maintenance.
Accepted the resignation of paid on-call firefighter Joshua Stangel.
Authorized the hiring of paid on-call firefighters Nick Anderson, Isaac High, Anthony Moberg and Tyler Ogren.
Accepted the retirement of Transit Coordinator Anders Stone, effective Aug. 22, and authorized his severance payout.
Approved the promotion of Chad Lardy to the street maintenance III position, effective Oct. 16, at step 3 of the city’s wage grid, earning $29.06 per hour. He will advance to step 4 ($30.38) when he earns his Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Class B Sewer Collector’s license.
Authorized the payment of an additional $4,374.90 for the citywide cleanup day, run by the Lakes Area Skatepark Association in May. The group used more dumpsters than anticipated, raising the city’s costs from the budgeted $4,500 to $8,774.90. Council member Gabe Johnson voted against the measure, wanting to ask the skatepark association if they would be willing to help foot the extra cost.
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Approved a conditional use permit for a commercial day care facility at 1002 Laurel St.
Scheduled a budget workshop for 6 p.m. Aug. 29. The council plans to approve its preliminary tax levy Sept. 19.
Scheduled a special meeting to canvass primary election results at noon Thursday, Aug. 11.
Appointed Chuck Marohn to the Planning Commission.
THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .
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