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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 02-01-20171 of 3 Meeting of February 1, 2017ProposedMinutes Approved Minutes Planning Commissi on Meeting February 1, 201 7 MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Chair Marc Anderson, Commissioners Donovan Saba, Jim Kovach, Julie Witt, Bryan Oakley, David Witte and Kira Vanderlan MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barb Thomson, Senior Planner Marie Darling OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Ned Carroll 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. OATH OF OFFICE - Kira Vanderlan 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. PUBLIC FORUM 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Oakley, seconded by Commissioner Witte, to approve the February 1, 2017 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 18, 2017 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES B. MICHAEL STEINHAUSER (2016102) Approve a variance to the rear yard setback for an addition for property located at 10610 54th Avenue. MOTION by Commissioner Saba, seconded by Commissioner Kovach, to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5A 2 of 3 Meeting of February 1, 2017ProposedMinutes A. CREEKSIDE PLYMOUTH, LLC (2016098) Acting Chair Anderson introduced the request by Creekside Plymouth LLC for a rezoning and preliminary plat for "Creekside Woods Phase II" for property located at 17125 and 17135 Old Rockford Road. Planning Manager Thomson stated that the applicant is continuing to work on revisions to the plat and has requested that the Planning Commission continue this matter to the February 15, 2017 meeting. Acting Chair Anderson continued the public hearing to the February 15, 2017 meeting. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. RICARDO AND CYNTHIA ARMIJO (2016100) Acting Chair Anderson introduced the request by Ricardo and Cynthia Armijo for variances to allow a carport in the front yard for property located at 1035 West Medicine Lake Drive. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Witte asked for more information on the roof design of the carport. Senior Planner Darling replied that staff finds that the roof pitch of the carport is not the same or similar to the roof design of the home. Commissioner Kovach asked for more information on why the variance would be detrimental to the public welfare. Senior Planner Darling replied that the concern would be that the carport is 50 percent larger than allowed, the contents could be visible to the adjacent property, and is not consistent with the ordinance and therefore could open the door for other property owners to undertake similar actions or discourage other property owners from investing in their property. Commissioner Oakley noted that the staff report states that the work began without a permit and asked for additional information. Senior Planner Darling stated that staff received a complaint and upon investigation found the carport under construction without the required permit. Acting Chair Anderson introduced Ricardo Armijo, the applicant, who stated that they have owned their property for approximately 16 years, noting that they tore down the old house to construct the new house. He stated that the driveway is very steep. He stated that they always want to·keep the quality and appearance of their home to the best of their ability and constructed the carport for their boat to replace the canvas covered structure they had been using. He stated that the carport blends in with their property because of the matching red roofs. He noted that they will eventually be repairing the roof of their home and replacing the tiles with a metal roof to approximate the same pitch as the carport. He stated that the neighbor who called the city thought that they were on his property, and that is why he called. He noted that they were not 3 of3ProposedMinutes Meeting of February 1, 2017 aware that they would need a permit and have completed numerous improvements that did not require a permit. He stated that they chose the location for the carport in an attempt to avoid disruption of the neighbors. He stated that the materials are of quality workmanship, and they plan to put wood slats around the structure as well as plant shrubbery to screen the carport. Commissioner Oakley asked if the applicant spoke with his neighbor about the design decisions before construction. Mr. Armijo stated that they did not. He explained that they believed they were within their property lines and therefore did not discuss it. He explained that there was a shaky situation with one of the neighbors when he first moved in as they are a family and he is a single man. Acting Chair Anderson asked why they did not build a garage. Mr. Armijo replied that the cost was prohibitive, and they believed the carport would sufficiently protect the boat while enhancing the look of the property. Acting Chair Anderson asked if anyone wished to speak on this item. No one came forward. Commissioner Witte stated that he appreciates the design to provide an improved structure and wished that the applicant had followed the process but was pleased to see the applicant acknowledge that fact that they failed to obtain a building permit. Commissioner Oakley stated that there are several issues in question. He stated that he does not have any major concerns with the design of the carport. He stated that it appears that the applicant is not interested in putting in something that will detract from the appearance of the property. He noted that there are dozens of houses along Medicine Lake Road that have structures/carports in the front yard. He noted that the size of the carport gives him pause as it seems double the size that would be needed. He stated that he is most concerned with the setback from the neighbor's property. He noted that without the input of the neighbor, he would have a hard time supporting the request. Mr. Armijo replied that he spoke with the neighbors to the north and south, and they have commented that it is a nice structure, and they do not have issues with the placement. He noted that the initial concern from the neighbor was that the carport was on his property but after the surveyor came out, he was fine with the placement. MOTION by Commissioner Witte, seconded by Commissioner Vanderlan, to approve the request by Ricardo and Cynthia Armijo for variances to allow a carport in the front yard for property located at 1035 West Medicine Lake Drive with the added condition that the gables and eaves be finished with the same stucco look as the house. Vote. 5 Ayes, 2 Nays (Anderson and Saba voting nay). MOTION approved. 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Acting Chair Anderson, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 P.M.