05-17-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

McKay CUP Request May 17, 2006 Page 2 The Comprehensive Plan encourages the development and maintenance of residential areas so as to improve the quality, appearance and attractiveness of housing units and residential property in general. The Comprehensive Plan designates this property, 5308 St. Stephen Street, as low-density residential. CUP Considerations: Chapter 1125 of the Zoning Code requires that the Planning Commission review and address any potential adverse effects which include, but are not limited to, relationship with the Comprehensive Plan, geographical area involved, potential depreciation, the character of the surrounding area and the demonstrated need for such a use. Each of these potential adverse effects is addressed below. Relationship with the Comprehensive Plan. As previously stated, the Comprehensive Plan encourages the development and maintenance of residential areas so as to improve the quality, appearance and attractiveness of housing units and residential property in general. An entirely new garage will be constructed and will be a benefit to the neighborhood. The Geographical Area Involved. The home is located on St. Stephen Street. Since the additional space for the garage will be in the back, the building will still appear to be a regular two car size garage from the street. In this case, the proposed oversized garage would not be noticeable or out of place in the neighborhood. This garage should not affect the neighboring properties much. It would block the view across the backyards from the neighbor to the north, but it isn’t much different than how the neighbor to the south has their garage setback behind the house. The homes in Pinewood Court behind 5308 St. Stephen should not be affected since they are offset and angled from the St. Stephen homes. Depreciation. The proposed garage would benefit the subject property both in a practical sense by providing additional on site, indoor parking and storage, as well as in an economic sense, as the construction would increase the “value” of the property. Increased property values are of course a benefit to everyone. The Character of the Surrounding Area. Although St. Stephen Street is strictly residential, 5308 is near the end of the street where it meets County Road 10. All of the homes on this street were constructed in the early 1950’s. The proposed garage would not be out of character in this area since the bulk of the garage will be hidden from view of the street. The new garage width would be the same as it is now, so it would not change the current front look of the house. The Demonstrated Need for Such a Use. The applicant is proposing a 24’x46’ garage which would allow for parking more than two vehicles inside and/or storage space since there are no other accessory buildings on the property. The applicant would like to park a third vehicle inside and can only do that by making the garage deeper since his lot is not wide enough to add an additional garage stall on the side. Due to the depth required for a vehicle, the garage requires a conditional use permit. Summary: All zoning and code issues are satisfied with this request.