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Mounds View Planning Commission May 19, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ Mr. Read indicated that other designs would not be as convenient and would not look as nice and clean. He then said that he could have a larger garage behind the house but then he would have extra cement going past the garage. Chair Stevenson asked whether a variance for driveway width would be required. Planner Prososki indicated that the width is limited to either 35 feet or the width of the garage plus 12 feet so the proposed driveway would be okay. Commissioner Zwirn asked whether the applicant would consider using the maximum width and extending the garage back further, so that the garage is deeper, to gain the same amount of space. Mr. Read indicated that a design like that would require him to jockey vehicles around for parking and the roof line would have valleys in the roof rather than be straight. Commissioner Miller indicated that the Commission is charged with reviewing the situation and determining whether the hardship criteria are met and she does not see where the hardship requirements are met for this situation. Commissioner Johnson commented that the City has made several changes to the Code to allow more square footage for garages and he is not in favor of allowing an exception to the Code. Commissioner Zwirn commented that the applicant owns property and pays taxes and he wants to clean up the property. He then said that the applicant is trying to do the proper thing by adding storage to comply and he has a large enough lot to do what has been requested without infringing on the property lines. Commissioner Zwirn indicated that he does not feel that what is being requested is out of line. Commissioner Miller commented that the hardship requirement has not been met. Commissioner Zwirn asked whether the applicant would consider turning the garage the other way and come out toward the front of the property. Mr. Read indicated he had not considered that as he was hoping the City would allow him to go out the side to match the roofline of the existing garage. He then said that he is not sure whether it would be as convenient but he could look into it. Commissioner Hegland asked whether the applicant was willing to look at another option for the footprint. He then said that he would appreciate if the applicant would try to do that because he would like to see him get his additional storage space but the Commission is in a position where they cannot grant a variance due to the hardship requirements.