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Mounds View Planning Commission October 4, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 13 ________________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Miller stated residents request larger garages for storage of boats and ATVs so they are not stored in the yard. Community Development Director Ericson replied changes since the 1950s and the 1960s progressed toward larger garages. He mentioned the coverage percentage was lowered in 2002 from 25 percent to 20 percent of the back yard that could be covered in accessory buildings. Commissioner Hegland indicated there is not enough information to make a recommendation at this time and suggested information gathering be done and then decide where to go from there. Commissioner Hegland reported, as a point of reference, the increased square footage was to encourage people to improve their property. He mentioned previous limitations were quite restrictive and this is an improvement over the way it was. He believes the increased square footage has had a positive impact on Mounds View. The public hearing was opened at 8:45 p.m. Mr. Tim Holm, 2200 Lois Drive, stated he owned one of the garages in question. He asked the Planning Commission to look at lot size and how they compare to surrounding communities and at how these communities determine what to allow or limit relative to accessory buildings. He stated he had no concerns with the way they are but believes the design issue could be looked at. Mr. Holm explained how he built his garage to fit in with the design of the surrounding property and made every effort to stay within the letter of the code. Mrs. Mary Jo Verschay, 2203 Lois Drive, noted these are not complaints. She stressed she would like the Planning Commission to establish a citizens committee to research this. Mrs. Verschay stated in the last two years Lois Drive had changed because of the buildings. She asked if the 20 percent included concrete for driveways. She stressed the rules and laws of the code should be for everyone. Mrs. Verschay stated she became involved because she was thinking about the domino effect that happens. She referred to the Xcel Energy transformer on her property and the problems it had caused her. She stated there should be some discussion on how the decisions impact the entire neighborhood. She mentioned she travels extensively throughout the state and pointed out she does not see large accessory buildings around the state like the ones in her neighborhood. She believes her property value has been reduced. Mrs. Kathy Piche, 2204 Lois Drive, mentioned she is the neighbor between the two large buildings. She expressed she believes as a citizen, she has the right to know that her environment would be impacted by the code. Mrs. Piche stated she felt the value of her property had decreased because the size of the buildings have affected the neighborhood negatively. She is concerned the codes have allowed the changes to occur that devalued the property. Mr. Mike Read, 2208 Lois Drive, reported he has the white building in the pictures. He stated the building was constructed because of complaints of vehicles in his yard. Mr. Read said he had applied for a variance and CUP in the past to expand his attached garage but was denied, so he built the current building, which is allowed by code. He stated he does not believe larger garages are an eyesore. He mentioned he plans to do extensive landscaping next summer and invited the