02-09-2012 Planning Comm. Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 9, 2012 Roberto again expressed concern about how much storage there would be, noting that Anderson has indicated he may purchase a larger boat and a newer utility trailer, and wants a larger woodpile than what the Planner is recommending. Roberto again noted that the Anderson lot is 227 feet deep and felt the storage should occur in the rear yard. Mrs. Roberto pointed out that Anderson has a large driveway, pointing out that there are other options for the storage of these items. Hall noted that the storage would still be visible to the Roberto's if it was on the driveway. Roberto felt the storage could occur on the driveway and felt it should be seasonal in nature. He was concerned about the front yard becoming a parking lot and with vehicles driving across the front yard. Roberto stated that he could not tell someone not to park in their driveway and indicated that the intended use of a front yard is not as a parking area. Duray asked if Anderson would be OK with a limitation of 4 cords of wood stating that 6 cords was a lot. Anderson stated that he was fine with 4 cords of wood and stated that he would keep the wood as close to 4 cords as possible noting that it gets difficult to measure. Anderson also indicated that storage of the boat with trailer and utility trailer would be more visible to the Roberto's than in the area he is proposing. Anderson indicated that parking these items on his driveway near his retaining wall would block his view of his garden area. Duray asked about screening. Anderson again asked that he be allowed to screen with a portable fence. Anderson stated that while he would prefer natural screening, he was concern about plantings surviving in the area they would need to go (gravel driveway area), as well as planting a line of screening when there are trees in the area. The City Planner stated that his recommendation would be for natural screening the length of the storage area along the front property line. Anderson asked about the existing screening. The Planner indicated that Anderson could take advantage of the existing screening and add additional plantings to supplement. The Planner felt that it was possible to screen with natural materials, and there were plantings that would survive. He indicated that if plantings are installed on the gravel area, a larger hole would need to be dug for the plantings. Roberto expressed concern with the 24 inch plant height recommended by the Planner. The Planner indicated that 24 inches was the minimum height required by the Ordinance. The Planner estimated that the plantings would grow 1 foot per year, so it may be 4 to 5 years before the storage would be screened from view. Roberto asked if a Variance is approved, if there is any resulting limitation on what can then be stored on the driveway or in the backyard. The Planner stated that he was not recommending a limitation of this nature - 10 -