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Variance Board Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Page 2 and its proximity to the east property line and intended location of the proposed front- 45 facing double-door related to the current garage façade. 46 Mr. Daire responded that staff had made Mr. Snell aware that the proposed garage 47 addition would not be permitted as a commercial business, and it was staff’s 48 understanding that all of the storage addition would house Mr. Snell’s personal vehicles 49 and equipment, but clarified that staff was not sure how those spaces were actually 50 spoken for; and verified that the proposed forward garage extension would only increase 51 in width; with location of an existing detached garage indicated on the attached site plan 52 (Attachment C) and defined in the applicant’s written narrative. From the information he 53 had available at tonight’s meeting, Mr. Lloyd was unable to identify the exact proximity of 54 the proposed addition to the east property line, with Member Daire estimating it to be at 55 least 8’ nearer than current. 56 At the request of Member Daire, Mr. Lloyd advised that staff had no indication that Mr. 57 Snell was currently renting out a portion of the home. Member Daire stated that his 58 question was prompted by his visit to the site, where he observed two vehicles parked in 59 the driveway next to the existing residents, with paver space in front of the existing 60 exterior door having an address on the left side of the existing structure on the lower 61 level, in addition to an address at the front door on the first floor, causing him to question 62 if some space was leased out as an apartment. 63 Mr. Lloyd reiterated that such information had not come up during discussion of the 64 variance request. 65 Member Daire verified with Mr. Lloyd that the percentage of proposed garage door as 66 part of the total front façade not exceeding 40% was in compliance with current zoning 67 code. 68 As noted in the project report (page 4, lines 118 – 125) Member Daire asked Mr. Lloyd to 69 elaborate on their concerns with the total amount of floor space proposed and concerns 70 for potential use for a home-based automobile repair operation. 71 Mr. Lloyd advised that, since the City’s current zoning code does not regulate the size of 72 an attached garage relative to area other than with pertinent regulations, if the variances 73 were approved, the attached garage would not require any special approvals in the future 74 if the ownership of the property and potential use were to change. Mr. Lloyd advised that, 75 if that were to occur, the City would be hard-pressed to withhold a future permit even with 76 their concerns about the use by current and/or future owners to operate a business that 77 was not a permitted home occupation in a residentially zoned area. Without the City 78 having any awareness of future sales or interject such a disclosure requirement into any 79 future marketing of the home for future buyers, Mr. Lloyd advised that a buyer may 80 purchase the property unaware of this zoning regulation and type of allowed home 81 occupation use. Mr. Lloyd noted this could cause hardship for them if investing in the 82 property and relying on a non-permitted auto repair or similar business as a source of 83 income; and creating difficulty when the City required compliance and discontinuance of 84 such an operation. 85 The applicant was not present at tonight’s meeting. 86 Public Comment 87 Mr. Lloyd advised that, since drafting the report, he had received one phone call from a 88 nearby property owner, agreeing with staff’s recommended denial of the request. 89 Chair Murphy closed the public hearing at 5:53 p.m.; no one spoke for or against. 90 Chair Murphy noted that all members of the Variance Board had personally viewed the 91 subject parcel before tonight’s meeting. 92 Member Daire expressed his understanding for classic car dealers to have their vehicles 93 close at hand and safely housed, leading him to respond in favor of the variance requests 94 to address that passionate interest. However, on the other hand and from a broader 95