12-09-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ' ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING � Monday,December 9,2013 6:30 o'clock p.m. (8. #13-3636 LIXIAO WANG, 3059 FART�IEW LANE— VARIANCES, Continued) Wang stated as it relates to that issue, he has measured the distance and that the current way to back out is straight back. Wang stated in his view adding on to the garage would not affect that. Levang noted that Staff feels it could be an issue. McMi(lan asked where the driveway ends. Curtis stated it is difficult to highlight it on the survey, but that there is a piece of the driveway that is located on the neighboring property. Wang pointed out the portion of the driveway on the neighboring property. McMillan asked whether they currently drive over their well. Wang stated if they park further away from the garage,they do not drive over the well. McMillan asked if they will need to drill a new well. Wang stated they will not if they go with the 6-foot garage addition. Printup asked what the practical difficulty would be in this situation. Printup stated the way it sounds to him is that the City has required more from other applicants, and if someone needs to park outside, they need to park outside. Mattick stated Council Member Printup is right on point, and that since there is a garage to begin with, the question is whether it is a practical difficulty to not have a three-car garage. Mattick stated the other question is whether the garage should be increased to accommodate certain sized vehicles, which typically does not amount to a practical difficulty. Levang indicated that is her feeling as well and that there is currently a garage on the property where some vehicles can be parked in. Levang stated it is the homeowner's choice on what type of vehicle they drive and that it is not the City's responsibility to ensure the garage is big enough to accommodate all their vehicles. Levang noted she also is opposed to the deck. Mrs. Wang stated her daughter is 16 and she also drives. Wang stated her daughter has to drive to Wayzata High School every day and that is one of the reasons why they would like to be able to park all the vehicles in the garage. Levang commented the City Council understands that. Bremer noted she used to live in this neighborhood and that she was aware the house was for sale. Bremer stated she knew someone who was interested in the property but that they elected not to purchase it because it only had a two-car garage. Bremer stated the price of the house was what it was due to the two-car garage and that the size of the garage was likely limited initially because of the average lakeshore setback. Bremer stated she has difficulty approving a third stall. Page 12 of 35