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PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 1 <br /> Item: Request for a variance of four feet in the sideyard <br /> setback of section 9 2.04 [1] (c) at 1494 Iowa Street <br /> Submitted by: Mr. William L. Huebsch, Property Owner <br /> Reviewed by: Susan Hoyt, City Administrator acting as planner <br /> Summary: <br /> Background <br /> In 1983 Mr. Huebsch was granted a variance of 2 feet in the west <br /> sideyard setback, to construct a garage 3 feet from the westside <br /> property line. However, the garage was never constructed. When <br /> Mr. 'Huebsch came in to get the building permit this fall, he <br /> inquired about the possibility of moving the garage even closer <br /> than the three feet to the side lot line because the code now <br /> allows garages to be constructed within one foot of the side lot <br /> line if it meets the following two conditions: <br /> 1) It is within the rear 20% of the lot <br /> 2) The access door faces away from the alley <br /> Mr. Huebsch's proposed garage does not meet these requirements, <br /> but he would still like to keep the eave of the new garage one <br /> foot from the side lot line. <br /> Purpose <br /> Mr. Huebsch is making the request for the additional two feet in <br /> order to maintain the maximum landscaped yard on a fifty foot <br /> wide lot. The closer the garage is to the side lot line, the <br /> larger the landscaped area will remain in his yard. There is a <br /> garden and lawn to the east of the proposed garage. There is <br /> also a tree to the northeast of the existing garage which may be <br /> more likely to live if the garage is two feet to the west because <br /> fewer roots will be disturbed. However, there is no <br /> guarantee the tree can be saved under either alternative. <br /> Finally, he is making the request because the location of the new <br /> garage will parallel the neighbor's garage, which was built in <br /> the past few years. The area between the two garages is not <br /> used. <br /> Analysis <br /> The proposal to move the eave of the new garage within one foot <br /> of the side lot line instead of the previously granted variance <br /> for three feet will provide Mr. Huebsch with a two foot strip (66 <br /> square feet) of additional green space and garden. This type of <br /> space is a valuable commodity in an urban residential <br />