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STAFF REPORT DATE: August 20, 1996 TO: Planning Commission Members FROM: Kim Moore-Sykes, Management Assistant ITEM: Request for Side Yard Setback Variance -- William & Evelyn Hedberg, 2509-30th Avenue N.E.. BACKGROUND. William and Evelyn Hedberg, 2509 - 30th Avenue N.E., have submitted an application for a side'yard setback variance of 5 feet in order to construct a 20 foot by 24 foot 2-car garage that will be attached to the east side their home. Currently, the owners have a single car garage that sets back from.the house and-five feet from the property line. The proposed attached 2-car garage would sit in front of the . existing single car garage. The variance is needed because the west side of the house sits five feet from the property line as well. The combined side yard setbacks for this property is 10 feet; the City ordinance requires a combined total of 15 feet for side yard setbacks. When Staff asked about adding to the existing garage structure, the owners indicated that they had a need for the additional garage space and that attaching it to their home would provide security to them both from the weather and possible criminal activity that might be directed at them because of their age. Their proposed attached double car garage would have two doors, one in the front and the other in the back so that they can have access to the existing garage that will sit behind the proposed garage. The existing garage will be used to store equipment. The owners were advised by Staff to apply for a variance rather than obtaining a garage setback permit because the double car garage addition is being attached to the house, thereby making it a part of the principal structure of the property. When an accessory building (including garages) is attached to the principal structure of the property, then the setback requirements of the principal structure apply (Section 1650.02, Subd. 3). The City Attorney was contacted and concurred with Staff's interpretation of the City Ordinance. Staff have also received several telephone calls and a signed petition from neighbors in opposition to the proposed construction of the attached double car garage. A letter from the owners' immediate neighbor to the east was also received stating that they are concerned with the potential loss of visibility as the result of this project. Many were also concerned about what it would look like with two garages on the same property.