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Mounds View Planning Commission June 1, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 2 ________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Case VR2005-005. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Variance Request to Reduce the Front Yard Setback to Nineteen Feet for the Construction of a Garage Addition at 5131 Greenwood Drive. Applicant: Keith Vasilakes Planner Prososki reported that the applicant is proposing to construct a garage addition in front of the existing attached garage, which would place it nineteen feet from the front property line. She stated the Mounds View Zoning Code requires a minimum front setback of thirty feet for buildings, however there is also a provision in the Code that requires that buildings not encroach into the prevailing setback for the block on which the property is located. She indicated the prevailing setback for this particular block of Greenwood Drive is thirty-five feet. Planner Prososki indicated that Staff discussed other options with the applicant, including building a detached garage in the backyard or extending the attached garage to the rear, however the applicant has stated he prefers to pursue the option proposed. She reviewed the variance considerations outlined in the Staff report, noting Staff is not aware of any extraordinary circumstances that apply to this property. She added the back yard is large enough to accommodate an additional garage. Planner Prososki advised that if this variance request is approved, the applicant will need to apply for a conditional use permit for an oversized garage. She stated a conditional use permit is required for any accessory building that has an area exceeding 952 square feet, and the garage as proposed would have an area of 1,029 square feet. She indicated that the Commission can take one of three actions related to the request: deny the requested variance, approve the variance as requested, or table the request. Chair Stevenson opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Alvin Dahlberg, 5107 Greenwood Drive, stated that he and the applicant have been friendly neighbors for many years. He indicated that he feels adding fifteen feet to the front of Mr. Vasilakes’ garage would detract from the appearance of the neighborhood. He noted he spoke with a realtor who agreed. He stated no other houses on the block have a garage stretching in front of the property, and most of the homes have a recessed garage such as he does. He questioned why the additional garage could not be built in the backyard. Mr. Dahlberg stated that he spoke with Mr. Vasilakes earlier concerning this option, and was told it would interfere with a three-season porch in the backyard. He indicated that in spite of this he would be opposed to a variance being granted. Keith Vasilakes, 5131 Greenwood Drive, indicated he believes the garage would add character to the property, and would provide him with additional garage space that he very much needs. He stated he would prefer to add a stall on the side of his existing garage, but he is too close to the property line. He indicated that if he were to build in the back it would obscure the view from his three-season porch. He stated if the variance is not granted he probably would not build at all, and would have to continue to park his car in the driveway. He indicated he would like to do