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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />FEBRUARY 11, 2021 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />6 <br />Chair Schwalbach stated that in that instance a variance was required for either density or lot <br />width and therefore the Commission needed to make that choice and chose to issue the variance <br />to lot width. <br /> <br />Mr. Weber stated that one of the proposed changes would require the garage to be further set <br />back than the façade of the home. <br /> <br />Chair Schwalbach asked if that is a design preference. <br /> <br />Mr. Weber confirmed that it would be a design preference and would avoid the situation where a <br />single-family home development looks like a townhome development. <br /> <br />Commissioner Buesing agreed that if the lot width is reduced, he would support requiring the <br />garage further back. <br /> <br />Chair Schwalbach provided an example of a development within Little Canada where half the <br />homes have garages closer than the front door and noted that he would not consider those as <br />starter homes. He stated that it would seem to be a design preference and would be in conflict to <br />being business/development friendly. <br /> <br />Mr. Weber confirmed that this is the intent of the discussion as there are some elements that are <br />subjective. He again reminded the Commission that low density residential is almost completely <br />developed. He noted that the City Manager does support this change. <br /> <br />Chair Schwalbach stated that when properties are redeveloped, they are most likely not $200,000 <br />homes. He stated that the development he mentioned has homes ranging in value from $600,000 <br />to $800,000 and therefore he does not find the setback of the garage displeasing. <br /> <br />The Community Development Director stated that there could be areas within the design <br />recommendations that would specify a preference that would be discretionary and not required. <br /> <br />Mr. Weber stated that there are more miles of residential development within the community <br />compared to any other development and therefore the interaction of the garage to the street is an <br />impactful element. <br /> <br />Commissioner Quarles commented that because most of the City is already developed in terms <br />of low density residential, the Commission should consider how these regulations apply to <br />redevelopment and how that interacts with the existing homes in those areas. <br /> <br />Mr. Weber continued to review the proposed changes within the residential districts of the <br />zoning code. He stated that he would be open to reviewing a change to the minimum lot width <br />within R-1. <br />