HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_95Dec11• MINUTES
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
December 1 1, 1995
PRESENT ABSENT ALSO PRESENT
Lee Barry, Chair Tom Brace Carla Asleson, Planner
Paul Kuettel Alex Hanschen Sue Gehrz, Council Liaison
Wendy Treadwell Wayne Groff Phil Carlson, Planning Consultant
Betty Wilcox Ellen Sampson, City Attorney
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Barry.
Planning commission minutes of November 27, 1995 were unanimously approved
as written.
REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE FROM CHAPTER 9-4.01 SUBD. 4(C) TO PERMIT THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A DOUBLE CAR GARAGE AT FRONT SETBACK OF 23 FEET
WHERE A 30 FOOT SETBACK IS REQUIRED AT 1596 NORTHROP STREET.
City planning consultant Philip Carlson explained that applicants Eric Schiffman and
Karen Kloser have a purchase agreement to buy asingle-family home at 1596
Northrop. There is presently a single car garage on the property and Schiffman and
Kloser want to be able to build atwo-car garage on the site that would encroach
seven feet into the front yard (Folwell Street) setback. The applicants' plan is to
use part of the existing garage and construct additional garage space to build a 22'
by 24' two car garage. The present south half of the garage would be remodeled
to become part of the kitchen.
Mr. Carlson explained that granting a variance requires demonstrating a hardship
and that the city has nine criteria for granting a variance in the zoning code. He
reviewed the nine criteria for granting a variance and found that none of the
conditions applied to this property. He then indicated that if a variance were to be
granted, the applicants would prefer to wait five years before actually building the
garage. The zoning code states that a variance terminates after one year unless
the decision granting the variance states otherwise. Carlson stated five years is a
long window of opportunity to grant, but that a two year variance with a possibility
of a one year extension might be more reasonable. Mr. Carlson said that after
careful consideration and study, he found that the alternatives available to the
property owner demonstrated that there was not a hardship. Therefore, he
recommended that the planning commission recommend denial of the variance to
the city council, but that if the planning commission would recommend approval, it
should be for a specific time (one or two years) and conditioned on an accurate lot
survey to verify dimensions of existing and proposed site improvements.
• Dr. Schiffman said that he and his wife had studied several options for getting a
double garage on the site and he described why he was not in favor of any of the
proposals presented by Mr. Carlson. He stated that the alternatives were not as
aesthetically pleasing and nor functional for the current house and yard layout.
Following the commission's discussion of the proposal, Commissioner Treadwell
moved to recommend approval of the variance with the findings as described in
Planning Commission Resolution 95-07. Commissioner Wilcox seconded the
motion.
Commissioner Kuettel stated that he could not support the resolution in support of
the variance as there are other building options available to the applicant and
therefore there is no demonstrated hardship to support the variance request.
Commissioner Treadwell argued that the lot is unique in shape, that the setback
encroachment is minimal, and that the other locations for the garage would more
significantly impair sightlines along the two abutting streets.
The motion failed for lack of a majority with Commissioners Treadwell and Wilcox
voting in favor and Commissioners Barry and Kuettel voting against the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15.
Carla Asleson, City Planner
Dee Swenson, Recording Secretary
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