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Mounds View Planning Commission June 21, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 6 Conditional Use Permit requests for oversized sheds and garages, and the intent of the Code revision is to be more flexible and less restrictive. He pointed out that it might be possible to achieve this by examining the total square footage of accessory structures allowed on a lot, and allowing this amount to be divided up at the property owner’s discretion. He explained that this might be a means to address the current multiple car family redevelopment situations where the property owner is unable to expand off of the side of the garage, and is unable to demolish the garage because the older house is not structurally sound. He suggested that the City might allow 1,400 square feet of accessory storage area, and limit that to three structures, and in the event that the accessory structures are larger than the house, maintain the requirement of a Conditional Use Permit to protect against a small principal structure being dominated by a 1,400 square foot garage. Commissioner Laube added that they could keep the 20 percent rear yard coverage requirement, which would then restrict the smaller lots, but allow them some opportunity to improve their property, and if this was not possible, the property owner could still apply for a Conditional Use Permit. Commissioner Thomas stated she would be much more comfortable basing the coverage requirement upon the total lot area, as opposed to the rear yard, in light of the placement of some of the houses which are set back a significant distance from the street, and might only have a third of an acre in the back yard, and a half an acre in the front. She suggested they allow 25 percent of the total lot area to be accessory structure, and define the structures as accessory buildings, regardless of whether or not they are a single car garage in the front, and a two car garage in the back. She added that structures proposed to be significantly larger than the house could still require a Conditional Use Permit. Chairperson Peterson stated he believed that every sized lot in town should be entitled to have a standard sized garage, even if the house is much smaller, however, the questions would be in terms of defining a standard sized garage. Commissioner Johnson stated these cases have primarily come forward in relationship to properties with a 700 or 800 square foot house, where the property owner desires a 900 to 1,000 square foot garage. He indicated there are many smaller houses in the City, and if nothing else, the footprint should be increased to 1,000, possibly 1,100 square feet, to allow for the storage of vehicles that would otherwise be parked in the front yard. Chairperson Peterson stated that limiting the size of the garage in relationship to the size of the property or the house size is appropriate in terms of extremely large garages, however, they must determine an upper limit, whether that be 864 square feet or 952 square feet. He pointed out that there is a size to which everyone should be entitled, and beyond that point, rules could be applied to prevent the potential for abuse. Commissioner Hegland stated they should attempt to control the abuse issue, while attempting to be as flexible as possible so that people are more likely to improve their property. He advised