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Mounds View Planning Commission January 2, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Planner Atkinson indicated that property owners were notified and he had received comments in support of the structure. Commissioner Miller commented that she did not see a problem with granting this request but said she is concerned with how the request meets the criteria. Commissioner Johnson commented that he had raised the issue of reviewing the Code because he feels that granting this variance could open the City up to further requests for variances. Commissioner Zwirn asked what type of utilities would be placed in the garage. Mr. Winiecki indicated that he needs electricity for lights in the shed. He then explained that he has a lot of things he needs to store and does not have enough room to do so. He further commented that he does snow removal and lawn mowing for the widows in the neighborhood and would like to be able to store his equipment inside to prevent it from rusting. Commissioner Zwirn indicated that the need to store equipment inside to protect it from theft, the elements, and vandalism could be considered a hardship. Commissioner Hegland asked how Mr. Winiecki arrived at the size for his structure. Mr. Winiecki indicated he had originally wanted to build a larger structure but after consulting with City Staff arrived at a 952 square foot structure. Chair Stevenson indicated he had received comments from the widows on the block and commented that he appreciates the work Mr. Winiecki does for those people and would like to see if there is a way around the criteria. Commissioner Miller noted that all seven criteria have to be met. She then indicated that the criterion that requires that the situation does not result due to the actions of the applicant would be especially difficult to meet. Chair Stevenson commented that the fact that Mr. Winiecki has such a large amount of low ground and anything that sits outside rusts could be considered a hardship. He also indicated that inside storage is an improvement for the City. Commissioner Johnson commented that he had raised the same issue when the Code was revised from 1264 to 1400 and said he feels the Commission should look at the Code. He then commented that he feels the City could be opening itself up to more variance requests. Commissioner Hegland commented that it is becoming more popular for new houses to have four car garages to allow for extra storage. He then commented that he did not think that allowing increased square footage for accessory structures would be negative unless someone was trying to put something on a very small lot.