05-15-2006 Planning Commission Packet

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� FILE#06-3194 May 15,2006 Page 5 of 5 allowed a garage on year-round residential properry would be an undue hardship. 3. The garage arrangenlent approved by prior variances has become hazardous for the properry owner because of increased t�afFic on Shadywood Road. Staff also finds the new garage arrangement will improve the safety of Shadywood Road by eliminating the backing movement into the roadway and have a positive efFect on the surrotmding area by improving appearance of the property as viewed fronl the street. In reviewing the proposed hardcover staff found it eaceeded the minimluns in several areas. The portion of the driveway approaching the garage is proposed to be 22 feet wide. The minimum is 16 feet. The backup area is proposed to be 12 feet by 12 feet. The minimiun is 8 feet by 8 feet. The retainiilg wall along Shadywood Road would be 12 to 18 inches high. The Couiity Highway Department would allow fill to extend into the right of way so the retaining wall could be eliminated. Reducing the driveway to the minimum and eliminating • . the retaining wall would reduce the amount of hardcover by about 135 square feet. While the driveway approaching the garage could be shortened by sia feet, the additional si� feet allows space for a vehicle to park in front of the garage doors and still use the backup area. The sidewalk to the house is proposed to be 2.5 feet wide when the minimiun is two feet. Since one of the goals is to iinprove wheelchair access to the house, a three-foot sidewalk would be justified. Staff finds the following hardships exist, which warrant approval of the hardcover variance as modified by staff: � 1. The lot is deficient 40 feet in width and has only half the required area. 2. Although the garage arrangement approved by prior variances requires less hardcover it has become hazardous for the property owner because of increased tra�c on Shadywood Road. � 3. The hardcover as modified by staff exceeds the minimums only to accommodate wheelchair access to the house and to avoid requiring guests and delivery vehicles to back into Shadywood Road. Issues for Consideration � Are there any other issues or concerns with fihis application? . Staff Recommendation Planning Staff�recommeiids approval of the street, side and house/garage setbacks variances and the lot coverage variance to allow a 24-foot wide by 20-foot deep garage. Planning Staff recoirunends approval of the hardcover variance as inodified by staff.