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submitted by the applicant for the project, but staff is concerned with properties immediately surrounding <br /> the property owners, who are opposed. <br /> Councilmember McGovern referred to the property and lot configuration and said it looks like they have <br /> the possibility of making the lots 10,000 square feet. Mr. Dolan agreed they can meet the size, but cannot <br /> meet the lot width, which he briefly explained and clarified with Vice Mayor Cook-Kallio that they were <br /> lacking 5 feet in width. <br /> Vice Mayor Cook-Kallio said the homes appear to be small at about 1200 square feet. Mr. Dolan stated <br /> the application does not address limitations on house size which would be subject to future design review; <br /> this only deals with the lots. <br /> Councilmember McGovern confirmed with Mr. Dolan that the FAR may be much higher than that, and this <br /> is approved by the County and not the City. <br /> Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. <br /> Sia Hashemi, applicant/owner, gave a brief overview of his search for a property for his family's use and <br /> review with the City and the County, stating he purchased the property based on information provided to <br /> him. The plan was to build three homes; the corner lot for his son, the middle lot for his parents, and the <br /> last lot for him and his wife. He presented a map of the 40 individuals and their homes that supported the <br /> application, existing substandard lots, and lots where homeowners voiced no support or opposition, and <br /> asked that the Council approve his request. <br /> Zack Wasserman, representing the Hashemi family, stated this is an issue of fairness and one of 5 feet in <br /> width. While not changing its legal effect, the lot affected by the 5 foot issue already has a sewer <br /> connection and agreement, and all they are asking for is connection of the other two lots. The subdivision <br /> approved in 2006 with the funnel shaped parcel is far less than 80 feet wide. Across the street, a <br /> subdivision approved earlier has lots all less than 80 feet wide, and beyond the fact that many lots are <br /> substandard it would be the fair and proper thing to approve the application. Only 4 neighbors are <br /> opposed and 40 have voiced support, and while he realizes the Council needs to deal with issues on a <br /> case-by-case basis, he asked the Council to be fair and not arbitrary. He asked the Council for approval, <br /> which he said complies with a majority of, neighbors who have spoken out and complies with those <br /> homes surrounding it, and which will result in a benefit to the area which hopefully one day the City will be <br /> able to annex. He thinks the fact that the City not having the funds to annex the property is not a basis to <br /> delay approval for this application. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan said Mr. Hashemi indicated he received verbal approval from the Planning <br /> Department. Mr. Dolan stated he was not aware of this. <br /> Public Comments: <br /> Rick Hempy stated there was never a public meeting on the existing, approved 3 lots, and their <br /> neighborhood was never told about this which he said they would have fought. He is a real estate broker <br /> and has these lots on the market now and cannot sell them. Mr. Hashemi called him a few times and the <br /> third time he told him that he was moving his parents and son to the property. He said Mr. Hashemi <br /> visited the entire neighborhood and would not leave people alone until they signed the petition. He asked <br /> that the Council listen to staff and not allow this to be approved, and did not believe Mr. Hashemi would <br /> move from his current home to the area. <br /> Pam McLaughlin stated that she and her husband moved to their home 14 years ago and wanted her <br /> father to move into a small guest home behind the main house, which they found they could not do. <br /> Because they did not push the issue, her father has been living in their home which has been difficult. <br /> She is tired of fighting developers, stated that people do not seem to be able to follow rules and asked the <br /> Council to deny the request. <br /> Laura Glovin stated she is also a realtor and works at Village High School and believes Mr. Hashemi will <br /> move his family to the property. Mr. Hashemi was told by a planner at the front counter that he needed <br /> 80-foot widths and the map presented is a revised edition. Most of the neighborhood has sewer and <br /> water, and homes around him are 1200-1300 square feet. She believes what Mr. Hashemi is proposing <br /> City Council Minutes Page 14 of 18 August 16,2011 <br />