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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />NOVEMBER 10, 2005 <br />Duray indicated that in order to warrant a Variance a hardship must exist <br />that is not economic in nature. Duray noted that many of the homes that <br />Murphy pointed out have horseshoe driveways likely had these driveways <br />prior to the ordinance existing in the City. Duray indicated that he has <br />been on the Planning Commission for seven years and during that time <br />there has been no request for a Variance for a horseshoe driveway. Duray <br />felt that if horseshoe driveways were allowed, there would be numerous <br />curb cuts on City streets. <br />Murphy again described the property and the need for the horseshoe <br />driveway, pointing out their desire to save the large pine tree. <br />Hall asked if the tree could be avoided and aback-up spot added adjacent <br />to the driveway that would allow the Murphy's to back their car into and <br />then pull out onto County Road B-2. Murphy indicated that he might be <br />able to get a single back-in spot. Hall indicated that he looked at the <br />property and felt that from a safety standpoint it would be better to add a <br />back-in spot rather than have the horseshoe driveway. <br />Murphy felt that the horseshoe driveway would look better than the back- <br />in spot. Murphy stated that they were still open to the back-in spot, but <br />wanted to pursue the horseshoe driveway to the fullest extent. <br />Chuck Vermeersch, County Road B-2, reported that he was granted a <br />Variance for a horseshoe driveway about 16 years ago. Vermeersch <br />indicated that there are a lot of horseshoe driveways in the area, and felt <br />that the Murphy's request should be approved. <br />Rheaume asked if Vermeersch felt the horseshoe driveway was a safer <br />option than backing into the sU•eeC. Vermeersch felt it was. <br />Wojcik asked how long the Code has limited residential properties to one <br />curb cut. The City Planner estimated since 1980 when the current Code <br />was adopted. <br />Vermeersch indicated that when he built his house the County did not <br />have a problem with the second curb cut. It was the City's Code that <br />prohibited it, thus he had to obtain a variance. Vermeersch questioned <br />how the Murphy request could be denied. <br />Duray noted that Planning Commissions and City Councils change over <br />the years. <br />Vermeersch pointed out that the lot is 100 feet in width, and he did not <br />feel that two curb cuts per a 100 foot lot was a lot. <br />-7- <br />