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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />Monday, May 17, 2021 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />2. LA21-000031 BCD HOMES O/B/O STEVE & SARA ZAWOYSKI, 724 TONKAWA RD, <br />VARIANCE <br /> <br />Doug Johnson o/b/o the Applicant, was present. <br /> <br />Staff presented a summary packet of information (Item 2 on the Agenda under Public Hearings). In 2011, <br />the property owners received variances in order to build the current home and detached garage. Lot area <br />and lot width variances, a hardcover variance permitting 32.9% hardcover where 25% is allowed, and a <br />rear setback variance for the detached garage to be set back 15 feet from the rear/street yard where a 30‐ <br />foot setback is required. The applicant is requesting a setback variance to add a second story above the <br />existing detached garage. The garage has a street‐facing overhead door which requires the building to be <br />set at the principal building setback of 30 feet. The garage is set at 15.6 feet from the rear property line. <br />Staff finds lot width, topography, and the proximity of the existing garage to the rear lot line supporting <br />of the requested variance. Finding practical difficulties, Planning Staff recommends approval of the rear <br />setback variance to add a 2nd story to the existing detached garage. <br /> <br />Gettman asked if there are additional covenants being suggested such as no plumbing so it does not turn <br />into a second house. <br /> <br />Curtis did not recommend any covenants. The applicant would need a conditional use permit (CUP) in <br />order to have additional plumbing. A toilet and a sink are proposed. <br /> <br />Kirchner asked if a toilet and sink would trigger a CUP. <br /> <br />Curtis replied no; they require a covenant for that but it is not a CUP-level activity. <br /> <br />Kirchner asked if a shower is what triggers it. <br /> <br />Barnhart clarified as of last month yes, but now it is just a covenant. <br /> <br />Doug Johnson, 200 SE University Ave, Minneapolis, said there is currently no plumbing in the detached <br />garage and the owners would like to use it for an office and would like a toilet and sink, there will be no <br />shower. <br /> <br />Kirchner asked if the owner would be okay with the Commission adding a covenant added that a shower <br />not be added. <br /> <br />Mr. Johnson replied 100%. <br /> <br />Barnhart noted they should be cautious about adding conditions that are not germane to the application in <br />front of the Commission. The applicant has the right to have certain plumbing and covenants are in place. <br />The reason Staff did not suggest a covenant is because they did not a see the need; obviously the Code <br />still prevails so if there is a future building permit with plumbing, then they would add that as a <br />requirement. <br /> <br />Chair Kirchner opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Kirchner closed the public hearing at 6:32 p.m.