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Mounds View Planning Commission June 21, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 25 Ms. Olsen stated the complaints that come forward to the Commission typically come from one or two neighbors requesting information regarding how the property owner intends to utilize a 1,100 or 1,200 square foot garage, when their house is only 600 square feet, and they are concerned that the property owner is going to set up some sort of shop or business, however, there are rules and regulations in place which restrict these things, therefore, this is not a significant concern in relation to the size of the garage. Ms. Olsen stated the majority of the current Code provisions for curb cuts are not necessarily correct. She explained that if you consider the new construction design, one of the primary issues of contention is that they have constructed a new house with a three car garage at great expense, and they are unable to access or exit the third stall of their because they can not have a sufficiently wide curb cut. She stated the size of the newer structures has not been taken into consideration in the new Code pertaining to curb cuts, and this was simply an example of the necessity to eliminate the foundation of the house as a basis for the size of the garage. Chairperson Peterson stated the Commission has discussed the driveway and curb cut issues at several meetings in previous years and has addressed the majority of these issues, however, some issues remain. He indicated that with regard to the current discussions, it appears that the Commission is in consensus to eliminate the footprint of the house as a basis for calculating the size of accessory structures, but to retain a lot size for garages that exceed a certain standard size. He pointed out that another issue before the Commission was the question pertaining to garages which are three stalls versus four stalls wide, and in particular, the Code discrepancy in this regard. Planning Associate Ericson stated it was not so much that there is a discrepancy in the Code but rather, that the Code is silent on the fact that for structures less than 952 square feet, or previously, less than 864 square feet, there was no requirement that they be limited to three stalls, because 864 square feet does not lend itself well to four stalls. He stated this issue needs to be addressed. He indicated that with the larger structures, the Conditional Use Permit requirements stipulate that a garage shall be no more than three car widths wide, or 35 feet. He inquired if the Commission would desire to retain this or eliminate this provision. Planning Associate Ericson stated the Commission should determine whether or not they would retain or eliminate this restriction. He pointed out that a property owner could apply for a Conditional Use Permit for a 1,300 square foot garage, and the current City Code states they are not allowed to have a garage more than three car widths wide, therefore, the structure would be deeper and longer than it is wide, and that seems to have worked well, because 95 percent of the lots in Mounds View are deep and narrow lots. He stated staff was not significantly concerned that maintaining this restriction would create a hardship, however, in the process of adjusting the Code to be more flexible, the Commission might wish to consider this as well. Commissioner Thomas stated she had no strong feelings in this regard, and suggested that if a property owner desires a 952 square foot garage that is wider than 35 feet, this be addressed in the Conditional Use Permit process.