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D a Planning Commission Meeting Minutes October 19, 1999 Page 2 1 Chair Bergstrom requested a report from City Staff. Ms. Kim Moore-Sykes, Management 2 Assistant, reviewed for the Commission that Mr. and Mrs. Kittelson had submitted an application 3 for a lot coverage variance as well as a garage setback permit in order to build a two-car garage 4 on the site of the currently existing single-car garage. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated that the lot is 5 quite narrow and long, and was platted and the structures built in 1951, twenty years before the 6 zoning code was in effect. 7 Ms. Moore-Sykes further stated that the current lot coverage on the Kittleson's property is ap- 8 proximately 38%, and with the proposed plans, lot coverage would be approximately 40.7%. 9 However, it appeared from the plans that a portion of the proposed garage would be positioned 10 on an area that was originally calculated as part of the driveway, thus slightly reducing the lot 11 coverage percentage further. 12 Chair Bergstrom introduced Mr. and Mrs. Kittelson and invited them to address the Commission. 13 Mr. Kittelson stated that his intention is to build a two-car garage to replace the single-car garage 14 currently in disrepair. Mr. Kittelson acknowledged that the single-car garage was built many 15 years ago and is unsound. Mr. Kittelson said he had already made some improvements to the 16 home and would appreciate the opportunity to further improve the home with a two-car garage. 17 He is intending to blacktop the gravel driveway. 18 The Commission had discussion over whether a gravel surface would be considered an 19 impervious surface. 20 Mrs. Kittelson offered that their driveway by itself'takes up approximately 23% of the allowed 21 lot coverage due to the length. 22 Bergstrom remarked that a primary concern of the Commission is the ability to encourage im- 23 provements of property, yet be sensitive to the City's ongoing effort to guard against additional 24 impervious surfaces that could contribute to flooding issues. Bergstrom continued by saying that 25 certain thresholds for hardship must be met in order for variances to be granted. Bergstrom in- 26 quired if the plans indicated a possibility of moving the garage forward. 27 Horst responded that he believes there is merit to the hardship issue on this property because the 28 lot is deep and narrow and could not be put to a reasonable use without a structurally sound ga- 29 rage. Horst felt that the plans depicted the most viable option for the construction of a two-car 30 garage. He continued by stating that the proposed garage is an excellent means in which to im- 31 prove the property. Horst believed that the Commission should consider the plans and weigh the 32 needs of the City and the citizens. He suggested that the Commission consider implementing 33 some overall changes in the rules for, particularly, the smaller lots in the City that were grand 34 fathered in prior to the Code. Horst recommended that the Commission endeavor to arrive at a 35 solution for Mr. and Mrs. Kittelson and, in essence, set a standard for any future requests from 36 citizens of a similar nature.