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Mounds View Planning Commission October 4, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 15 ________________________________________________________________________ Community Development Director Ericson replied the 2002 code change stated the garage could not be any larger than the footprint of the house except by conditional use permit. He stated this proved to be problematic in enforcement and it required a great deal of work in determining exactly what the footprint size was. He stated that requirement was removed from the code but a design standard never made it into the code. Commissioner Miller asked Mrs. Verschay if she was referring to a development or a lot split relative to her recommendation to seek input from the neighbors about proposed new construction in the neighborhood prior to approval, Mrs. Verschay replied she felt somewhat beat up, but stressed she was at the meeting for the people who did not want large buildings. She stressed it would be useful for neighbors to have more input as to what is approved. She mentioned she wanted to know who to talk to about the information. She stated she wanted the Planning Commission to have the opportunity to understand the impact large buildings have on a neighborhood. Commissioner Meehlhause asked Mrs. Verschay if she was against second garages. Mrs. Verschay replied she was not, however, the Planning Commission should look at the impact these large garages have on a neighborhood. Commissioner Zwirn addressed Mrs. Verschay and commented she should not feel like she is getting beat up; she is just practicing her citizen’s rights. He asked if she received a public notice of the actions on the garages. Mrs. Verschay stated they were told the garages were approved according to City code. Commissioner Zwirn clarified he heard the issue is with height. He asked Mrs. Verschay if there is a design issue also. Commissioner Zwirn asked if she is looking more towards a consistent design element. Mrs. Verschay replied she objects to the size rather than design. She stated she is not looking for a consistent design, but asked that a task force or committee look at it. Mrs. Verschay stated she is concerned with garages more than one story high and with the size. Commissioner Zwirn commented a gentleman with a very large lot wanted to build a larger one- story garage and was denied. He asked Mrs. Verschay how she would have wanted the Planning Commission to handle this request. Mrs. Verschay replied she thought denying it was a good decision. Commissioner Hegland asked if she had someone next door who wanted to add something to his or her property did she feel she had the right to say she opposed it.