HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_94Apr25• MINUTES
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 25, 1994
7 p.m.
PRESENT ABSENT ALSO PRESENT
Tom Brace Kay Andrews Susan Hoyt, Administrator
Lee Barry Lisa Lampi Carla Asleson, Admin. Asst./Planner
Wendy Treadwell Sam Jacobs, Council Liaison
Paul Kuettel
Ken Salzberg
Meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
Welcome was extended to Carla Asleson, the new administrative
assistant/planner.
Minutes of the March 28, 1994 were approved as written.
CONSIDERATION FOR A REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE TO CHAPTER 9-2.06 OF
FIVE FEET FROM THE MAXIMUM FENCE HEIGHT AT 1703 ST. MARY'S
STREET.
Hoyt explained that Mr. Bobby Ray Thomas, property owner, would
• like to erect an eight foot high fence along the entire south
property line at 1703 St. Mary's up to a large tree which is on
the west end of the property. She said because city code allows
only a three foot fence in front of the property and a six foot
fence in the rear, a variance of two and five feet is necessary.
Mr. Thomas explained that he is requesting this variance because
the property is adjacent to the commercial property of Buck's
Unpainted Furniture and Ciatti's restaurant. He said there are
two dumpsters located very near the house and there is a problem
with flying debris and visual unattractiveness. Also pedestrians
continually use his property as a shortcut to the adjacent
businesses.
Hoyt said that the zoning code requires that a buffer exist
between adjacent properties when one lot is zoned for residential
use and the other for commercial use. Until last year, the
property was landscaped to meet this requirement. However, the
shrubs that were serving as the buffer have since died and have
been removed. No neighbors have objected to the variance.
After some discussion, Treadwell moved to adopt the resolution
recommending granting of the variance of two feet in the rear and
sideyards and of 5 feet in the front yard for a fence to be built
along the southern property line because of the following
findings:
• a. That the amendment to the variance will not be
detrimental to the public welfare;
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4/25/94
b. That the amendment to the variance will not
substantially diminish or impair property values or
improvements in the area;
c. That the amendment to the variance is necessary for the
preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights;
d. That the amended variance will not impair an adequate
supply of light and air to adjacent property;
e. That the amended variance will not impair the orderly
use of the public streets; and
f. That the amended variance will not increase the danger
of fire or endanger the public safety.
Seconded by Salzberg and unanimously approved.
DISCUSSION OF A STUDY RELATED TO SIZE AND PLACEMENT OF
RESIDENTIAL GARAGES.
Hoyt walked the commissioners through the current zoning code
• regulations for garages reviewing allowable size, height, maximum
lot coverage, and required setbacks.
She asked the commission determine whether or not certain
portions of the code relating to these regulations should be
changed or reworded in order to bring the code up-to-date.
1) Placement Requirements for Detached Garages on Allevs.
Currently, detached garages on alleys and in the rear 20% of the
lot are subject only to a 1' side and rear setback requirement.
This rule was intended to allow homes in the northome portion of
the city to build a 24' wide garage on the alley. Since this was
the original intention, and for the sake of simplicity, staff
recommended that this portion of the code be reworded, a
structure is located completely in the rear 25 feet of the lot,
rather than using the phrase, "rear 20% of the lot".
2) Side Yard Setbacks for Detached Garages not on an alle
This portion of the code was discussed with the northeast corner
of the city in mind. Existing garages are built 2' to 3' off of
the lot lines. Reconstruction of these garages in the existing
location requires the issuance of a variance from the five foot
setback. Staff talked about changing to allow new garages to be
• constructed two feet from sideyard lot line, if the existing
garage was two feet from the side lot line.
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3) Maximum Garage Size Allowed.
Using the formula in the existing code, for every 10' increase in
lot width, there is an increase in 120 sq. ft. of allowable
garage area. The current allowable height cannot exceed the
height of the house (25 ft. maximum) and no more than 750 of the
lot can be covered by the principal structure, accessory
building(s), decks, and driveways.
After reviewing these three points and examining a comparison of
garage requirements in other metro cities, a decision was made
to look more closely into the setbacks and the allowable height
for garages for the next planning commission meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10.
Carla Asleson, City Planner
•
Dee Swenson, Recording Secretary
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