04-08-1991 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD APRIL 8, 1991 ( #10)ZONING FILE #1629 - MCNULTY CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED Callahan s -ated that he w.Rs primarily opposed to constructing the building initially because he could not see that there was any hardship. He said, "I can find nothing to indicate that the structure is having a negative impact on the land. Due to the size of the parcel on which this structure is located, I cannot see any problems from a planning viewpoint. Given the fact Council originally approved a building of this size for this purpose, coupled with Mr. McNulty's facts about the rights given up by the MacMillans, I am not sure that the addition should be denied, even though I d5_d not approve the building from the start." Butler stated that she does not question the good intentions of the MacMillans to continue to comply with the City's requirements. S,ie said, "However, the City has adopted an Ordinance to address this specific issue, and I believe it is up to the City Council to abide by the Ordinances that are established. I believe we may face problems in the future, if we allow a Variance to our new Ordinance without sufficient hardship." McNulty responded, "Council has the authority to grant Variances to the City's Ordinances when it finds conditions exist to justify that. Council found those conditions to exist in the past, and they still exist now. I would also like Council to view this request from a practical standpoint. We want to do what makes the most sense for this piece of property: The MacMillans want a'garage and squash court. Does it make sense to add that onto a French Colonial home, or add it onto an accessory structure designed for recreational purposes? The M:icMillans could apply for and obtain a building permit to add onto the existing residence without approval from the City Council." Bellows noted that the members of the Planning Commission had raised a concern regarding the fact that, to the best of their knowledge, the principal structu -e . is used more as a guesthouse than a permanent residence. McNulty explained that the house is in transition within the MacMillan family. He said, "Mr. MacMillan and his brother and sister own the home, which belonged to their mother and father. His sister continues to reside there when she comes to town, and her children reside there. Someday one of the children will have a life estate. in , t :1at home and will live there.- as a .family member. A family as large as the MacMillan's has something in transition, but it . is a family home that is part of, the family estate." It was moved by Callahan to conceptually approve the accessory structur£: Variance as proposed. There was no second, and the motion failed. - 12 -