04/14/2021 P&Z Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning & Zoning Board April 14, 2021 Page 6 APPROVED MINUTES Chair Tralle surmised the applicant can drive a car onto the grass and park it in the garage, but not on a daily basis. He asked Ms. Larsen to verify if his summation was correct. Mr. Evenson asked if the issue is whether or not the driveway is paved. Ms. Larsen explained the issue is the number of times the applicant wants to drive a vehicle onto the grass. She said Chair Tralle’s conclusion is correct. If the applicant owned an antique car and parked it in the garage the majority of the year, the City would have no issue with him driving the car, on occasion, over the curb and onto the grass. She reiterated the only way the applicant would be able to park a vehicle in the garage on a frequent basis is to have a complete, hard surfaced driveway. Mr. Root agreed with Mr. Reinert stating although he would like to approve the variance, he could not since it does not comply with the ordinance. Nevertheless, he said he could support an ordinance change to allow a second driveway under limited conditions such as a second driveway into a cul-de-sac. He specified second driveways would not be permitted for those which connect to busy or minor collector roads. Mr. Laden stated he could support the variance. He said he did not agree with all of the findings of fact. He specified he did not think the driveway would change the character of the neighborhood nor did he think it would be inconsistent with the comprehensive plan. He said the applicant has an additional hardship since he cannot access the building from the front yard. He commented, the Board should allow the applicant to take advantage of the uniqueness of his lot. He supported Mr. Root’s recommendation to change the ordinance to allow for a second driveway under limited conditions. He asked Ms. Larsen if the applicant could pour asphalt or concrete up to the curb and not cut the curb. Ms. Larsen said no. Mr. Reinert asked if Ms. Larsen knew why the ordinance was changed in 2003 to not allow double fronted lots to have a second driveway. Ms. Larsen commented she did not know specifically why the ordinance was changed, but she assumed as more homes were constructed in the City, the ordinance was changed to regulate single family lots to one driveway. Mr. Reinert suggested, in 2003, the City may have noticed nearby cities regulating single family lots to one driveway and they decided to follow suit and change the ordinance. He agreed with the recommendation to change the ordinance to allow a second driveway under limited conditions so long as traffic is not restricted. Mr. Vojtech asked if the applicant would be able to connect his existing driveway to the back garage.