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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes August 16, 2011 Page 4 1 2 Mr. Kozulla indicated that they have talked to the City Engineer and the Watershed District; the 3 Watershed District has waived the need to provide additional storm drainage or retention or 4 detention. 5 6 Chair Jensen requested confirmation of this from the property owner. He also requested that 7 staff check to determine whether additional plantings are required either under the City Code or 8 PUD requirements, given the proposed enhancements to the building. 9 10 2. ENCROACHMENT VARIANCE FROM FRONT PORCH— 3408 MAPLEWOOD 11 DRIVE 12 13 Assistant City Manager Moore-Sykes Kim advised that the property owner is requesting an 14 encroachment variance in order to add a front porch to their home. She stated the property 15 owner is proposing to fill in the space from the side of the garage to the end of the house with a 16 10.5' x 30' enclosed screen porch. She added that the property owner also proposes to add a 17 front stoop with steps that will extend 5.9' beyond the front porch into the front yard setback. 18 She then introduced Ms. Corri Sandwick of Albertsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd., architect for 19 the property owners. 20 21 Ms. Corri Sandwick, Albertsson Hansen Architecture,Ltd.,appeared before the Planning 22 Commission and stated that the variance is requested to allow an increase into the permitted 23 encroachments for front yard setbacks. She indicated that the property owners would like to 24 enhance the home's curb appeal by adding an enclosed screen porch and the goal is to engage the 25 use of the front yard and foster community connections. She presented the site plan which 26 includes an L-shaped house with the garage extending 2.1' over the current front yard setback, 27 and the owners are looking to fill in that portion of the house with a porch as well as a landing 28 and stairs down to grade. She noted that the Ordinance allows property owners to apply a 29 reasonably sized stoop as a 5' encroachment onto the front yard setback and in this case, having 30 only 2.2' available rather than the 5' described in the ordinance represents a practical difficulty 31 for the homeowner because they would like the full safety of a landing and stairs outside the 32 screen door. She presented photographs and architectural renderings of the existing house and 33 proposed porch. 34 35 Commissioner Heinis asked if the setback was established before the garage was built. 36 37 Assistant City Manager Moore-Sykes stated that the Code was codified in 1976 and agreed to 38 check the file to determine when the garage was built. 39 40 Chair Jensen suggested that the property owner consider raising the sidewalk at the time of the 41 grading which could reduce the number of steps required on the porch area. He stated that the 42 drainage might also be improved if the pitch is increased and it might minimize the 43 encroachment as well. He indicated that this request appears to be within the intent of the 44 amended variance rules and is in keeping with the harmony of the neighborhood. 45