Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/06/2003

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Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to introduce an ordinance to ratify the 2003 building construction fees, clarifying that the current valuation date is 2002. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Kurak, Cook, Elvig, Pearson, and Strommen. Voting No: Councilmember Zimmerman. Case #6: Introduce Ordinance to Amend SetbaCk and Height Requirements for Detached Accessory Buildings or Garages Community Development Director Frolik stated City Code states that detached accessory structures may not be located closer to the front property line than the home on the property. The City's most common variance request, with respect to detached accessory buildings, pertains to this restriction.. Since January 1, 1997, the City has received 23 requests for variances to the setback requirements for detached garages. Of those 23, three pertained to the side yard setback. The other 20 were requests to be closer to the front property line than the home on the property. As time permitted over the past six months, City staff has .been working with the Planning Commission to amend the rule that prohibits accessory buildings from being closer to the front property line than the home. An ordinance has been drafted to establish that a detached accessory building or garage can be closer to the front property line than the home under certain conditions. The proposed conditions are as follows: 1. The lot is at least two acres in size; 2. The placement of the garage maintains compliance with the standard front Yard setback for the respective zoning district; 3. The exterior materials on the accessory building match the home; 4. The accessory building is designed with a sOffit, fascia, and cave overhang to match the home. While reviewing this section of City Code, the Planning Commission determined that some other housecleaning type amendments were necessary as follows: 1. Regulate heights of accessory buildings by lOt size Versus whether the property is in or out of the MUSA. 2. When the accessory building is within five feet of the principal building, add in the oPtion to construct the accessory building with a one-hour fire rated Wall instead of requiring it to be attached to the principal building. 3. Elimination of the requirement that states accessory buildings within ten feet of the principal building must comply with the same setback requirements as the principal building. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the most recent version of this ordinance amendment on December 12, 2002, and there Were no verbal or written comments submitted. City Council/January 14, 2003 Page 15 of 27 P41