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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />AUGUST 8, 2024 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />3 <br />Commissioner Masrud agreed that bringing the curb cut allowance back to a standard two-car <br />garage width would make sense. He stated that it would also make sense to change the <br />allowance for a garage to match the allowed square footage to 1,500 square feet and asked if the <br />limitation linked to the first-floor square footage would even be necessary. He commented that <br />the garage would already be restricted by the lot size and related setbacks. The City Clerk <br />agreed that perhaps that language is no longer required. <br /> <br />Commissioner Masrud stated that he would prefer to remove the language and leave the <br />language clearer and simpler. Commissioner Kulousek agreed that perhaps that additional <br />restriction is not needed. She also agreed with the curb cut change from 18 feet to 24 feet. Chair <br />Johnson agreed that it would be an undue burden for homeowners redoing their driveway to have <br />to remove six feet. She stated in regard to the 150 percent limitation, part of her concern with <br />removing that requirement would be that someone could raze an existing home to build <br />something more garage-centric facing the street. <br /> <br />Commissioner Kulousek commented that the city does not have a lot of wide lots. The City <br />Clerk stated that she is not overly worried about that as homeowners also want their home to <br />look nice. Commissioner Masrud commented that seems very subjective as the typical <br />McMansion is already very garage-centered in the front and therefore he would be <br />uncomfortable having something in the Code that is based on taste. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson asked for input on a maximum size with a CUP request or whether 1,500 square <br />feet should just be the maximum allowed. <br /> <br />Commissioner Kulousek stated that she believes that a resident should be allowed more than <br />1,500 square feet with a CUP, as some residents have more land. She noted that she has five <br />kids and that creates a lot of vehicles in the driveway as the lawnmower and other items need to <br />be in the garage as well. She agreed that the lot size should be linked to the allowed size. <br /> <br />The City Clerk stated that there is a percentage linked to the lot size. Commissioner Masrud <br />commented that it would seem that percentage would be enough of a limitation. Chair Johnson <br />noted that the maximum height would also limit the square footage of an accessory <br />structure/garage. <br /> <br />Commissioner Masrud suggested that the normal allowance be set at 1,500 square feet with <br />additional allowance through a CUP, limited by the lot percentage already within Code. <br /> <br />Chair Johnson stated that perhaps it would be helpful to have a maximum size specified as some <br />property owners may wish to construct a detached garage as close to the back lot line as possible, <br />which would have an impact on neighbors. <br /> <br />The City Administrator commented that he has handled things related to garage size many times <br />during his career. He agreed that an allowance of 1,500 square feet would be the extent of the <br />maximum in most of the first ring suburbs, while larger accessory structures are allowed in <br />suburbs further out. He stated that a minimum width for a three-car garage would be 30 feet