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<br />City Attorney Hoeft agreed that Council could point to the small lot size as a reason for <br />granting the variance and as a distinction from other lots in the City. <br /> <br />Council Member Travis asked if Mr. Palzer had reviewed the proposed location of the <br />garage. Mr. Palzer indicated he had not been out to Mr. and Mrs. Bates residence. <br /> <br />Council Member Capra indicated she had driven through the neighborhood and noticed <br />that some houses have the garages set back and .off to the side. Mrs. Bates indicated that <br />they propose to build their garage the same way as their neighbors. <br /> <br />Council Member Nelson stated that there are requirements that must be met in order to <br />grant a variance and said Mr. and Mrs. Bates do not meet those requirements. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers indicated that the Planning and Zoning Committee <br />intends to review Ordinance 4 at its next meeting. She then indicated she agrees with <br />City Attorney Hoeft that it would be better to change the ordinance rather than granting <br />the variance. <br /> <br />Mayor Swedberg questioned whether Mr. and Mrs. Bates would have any yard left if they <br />were allowed to construct the garage. <br /> <br />Council Member Travis indicated that there are other yards like it and said if the garage <br />were setback as proposed he feels it would be fine. He then indicated he would prefer to <br />change the ordinance rather than to grant the variance. <br /> <br />Mrs. Bates asked how long it would take for the City to change the ordinance. <br /> <br />Council Member Travis indicated that the City has granted permISSIOn to begin <br />construction based on an expected change to the ordinance. <br /> <br />City Attorney Hoeft indicated that the City should not indicate what type of change it <br />would allow at this point because there is no guarantee. <br /> <br />Council Member Travis asked how long it would take to change the ordinance. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers indicated Council would not see a proposed change <br />to the ordinance until the Council meeting in mid-November. <br /> <br />Ms. Buckbee said she did not think it was fair to ask residents to pay $175 for a variance <br />if the City denies the variance and decides to change the ordinance. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers clarified that the City does not change the ordinances <br />after every variance request. <br /> <br />Page 6 of 29 <br />