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<br /> <br />AUGUST 2002 <br /> <br />ews <br /> <br />AMERICAN <br />PLANNING <br />ASSOCIATION <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />Garages: Not Just for Cars Anymore <br /> <br /> <br />B)I./ason Wittenberg <br /> <br />The public interest in regulating accessory structures IS In conflict with <br />a perceived need to build residential garages larger and in ways <br />that could compromise the character of a neighborhood. <br /> <br /> <br />This lvIinneapolis garage (detached and located <br />along the alley) was recently comtructed with the <br />benefit o/a variance to increase the maximum <br />permitted height. The homeowner attempted to <br />mimic the characteristics o/a carriage house that <br />previously existed on the proper~y. <br /> <br />Residential garages serve many functions today. For many <br />homeowners, the garage is still a place to park the family car. <br />Some use it for storage and others tinker in it to relieve stress. <br />The public in terest in regulating these accessory structures is in <br />conflict with a perceived need to build them larger and in ways <br />that could compromise the character of a neighborhood. This <br />issue of Zoning News provides an overview of how communities <br />throughout the U.S. regulate residential garages, including floor <br />area and height limitations, minimum setbacks, design standards, <br />and restrictions related to authorized uses of garages. <br /> <br />History <br />Prior to the automobile, carriage houses and stables were the <br />prevalent accessory structures. In Garage: Rein/Jertting the Place <br />we Park, author Kira Obolensky briefly covers the history of <br /> <br /> <br />. . . about this article. <br />Join us online! <br /> <br />During the week of September] 6-20, go online to <br />participate in our "Ask (he Author" forum, an interactive <br />feature of Zoning News. Jason Wittenberg will be <br />available to answer questions about (his article. Go to <br />the APA website at www.planning.org and follow the <br />links to (he "Ask the Author" section. From there, just <br />submit your questions about the article using an e-mail <br />link. The author will reply, posting the answers <br />cumulatively on the website for the benefit of all <br />subscribers. This feature will be available for selected <br />issues of Zoning News at announced times. After each <br />online discussion is closed, (he answers will be saved in <br />an online archive available through the APA Zoning <br />News webpages. <br />