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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 16, 2005 Page 9 1 Vice Chair Hanson referenced the dimensions of the egress window and asked if a fully clothed 2 fireperson could get through the window. Fire Chief Malenick confirmed that a Firefighter 3 would be able to get through the window noting that the main function of an egress window is to 4 get people out of the house. 5 6 Mr. Marek clarified that he is not against egress windows,just against this one. 7 8 Chair Stromgren closed the public hearing at 7:52 p.m. 9 10 Commissioner Jenson noted that the Commission would be reviewing a proposal for a text 11 amendment addressing egress windows and in reading the amendment, this would allow a 3-foot 12 variance. He reviewed the text amendment with the Commission and asked if this should be 13 considered. 14 15 Chair Stromgren stated that this request should be addressed separately from the text amendment 16 discussion. 17 18 Commissioner Hoska agreed with Fire Chief Malenick stating that egress windows are life savers 19 and it is better to have them than not, as it helps get the people out. He stated that he does not 20 see a problem with this and is in favor of granting the request. 21 22 Chair Stromgren noted that many of the stairs in these homes are not code compliant or provide 23 the required headroom and egress window helps to address these issues. He stated that in terms 24 of the other concerns mentioned by Mr. Marek they are not concerns that affect this applicant 25 noting that there is a window in the current location and carbon monoxide has not been an issue. 26 27 Vice Chair Hanson agreed noting the applicant's willingness to install a privacy fence to address 28 the aesthetic concerns. 29 30 Commissioner Hoska agreed stating that the applicant has also shown that they are willing to 31 address the snow removal issues and acknowledged that it is their responsibility to remove the 32 snow as needed. 33 34 Commissioner Jensen asked to include a friendly amendment on the structure itself to state that it 35 is off by.25 feet. 36 37 Motion by Commissioner Jensen, second by Commissioner Hoska, to recommend approval of 38 the proposed Variance to allow an egress window 3-feet from existing structure and variance 39 would be 1.53 feet from property line and subject to maintain area and allow construction of 40 privacy fence at applicants choosing for safety purposes and variance to structure to allow the 41 4.25 due to structure being built prior to building code, is done for safety purposes, undue 42 hardship is not caused by applicant but due to configuration of construction at the time; in the 43 side yard setbacks for the residence located at 2909-30th Avenue NE. 44 45 Motion carried unanimously