The meeting of the Meeker Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman, Gary

Hindman, Monday August 13, 2007 at Town Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Members Present Chairman Gary Hindman

Leslie Sorensen

Keith Rholl

Joy Thayer

Martha Griffin

Others Present Town Administrator Sharon Day

Town Planner Denise Sheridan

Planning Assistant Dondi Glasscock

Applicants Joe and Kelly Conrado

Citizens Katie Conrado, Keith Watson,

Samme Elder

A motion to approve the agenda with the revision of deleting item IV, approval of

previous minutes, was made by Leslie Sorensen and seconded by Martha Griffin. Motion

Passed.

Chairman Hindman asked if anyone was present for public participation. Samme Elder

stated she was a citizen there just to observe. Applicant Joe Conrado stated that his

daughter Katie and contractor Keith Watson were there for the public hearings.

Chairman Hindman called for the public hearing and roll call at 5:32 p.m. and noted that

all Planning Commission members are present. Planning Assistant Glasscock reported

the following:

dwelling to be built on their lot located in the Central Business Zone District.

The property for the proposed special use is a vacant lot located on the south side of Main

Street between homes at 336 Main St. and 310 Main St.

periods and the required application fee has been paid. The request has been advertised

as mandated by the Meeker Zoning Ordinance and letters were sent to the adjacent land

owners. The applicant’s property, 320 Main, is located in the Central Business District.

The Meeker Municipal Code states that a single family dwelling requires a special uses

review in the Central Business District if constructed after 1995. Title 18.1.121 of the

Meeker Municipal Code includes, as other uses under Special Review, schools, and day

care facility. Some of the permitted uses are: Hotels, Business Offices, Service

Establishments, Retail Stores, Parks, and Recreation Facilities. The Central Business

Zone District does not require a minimum building lot area or minimum setbacks in the

front and side yards. The applicants proposed use of the property is consistent with

existing and allowed uses in the neighborhood. All of the north side of Block 3 (along the

south side of Main Street) is a residential area that is exclusively single-family homes.

Across from and adjacent to Block 3 include a combination of homes, small businesses,

recommendation is to approve the request contingent upon the proposed home being

placed on the property in alignment with the adjacent home on the corner (310 Main St).

By moving the home back an additional 2 feet from the proposed 17 feet, the home will

be consistent with the minimum setback of either adjacent home. A single-family home

constructed at this location will be far less impacting to the neighborhood than

constructing a commercial structure. Chairman Hindman asked for comment. Mr.

Conrado stated that he had visited with adjacent owners Roach and Woodruff. Mr.

Woodruff had no concerns. After discussion with Mr. Roach, Conrados will put up a

retaining wall between the Roach property and the property in question. Mr. Conrado

added that they will also add a privacy fence and address the drainage issues. Mr. Watson

stated that drainage issues have been addressed by placing the house in the location

submitted on the drawing. Mr. Conrado added that drainage is the main reason they (the

applicants) would like to leave the house where it is shown rather than moving it back as

recommended by staff. Planner Sheridan asked if the 2 feet will really make a difference.

Mr. Watson explained that it would. Planner Sheridan stated that if the proposed retaining

wall (between Roaches and Conrados) is higher than 6 feet, the wall must be engineered

and that a fence exceeding 4 feet, would require a variance. Chairman Hindman asked for

comments for or against the special use. Leslie Sorensen asked for confirmation that the

commission was only considering the use and not the variance. Planner Sheridan stated

yes, the variance will be heard in another public hearing. Leslie Sorensen asked if the

home were to become a business, would there be parking requirements. Planner Sheridan

stated yes. Hearing no other comments, Chairman Hindman closed the hearing at 5:53

Planning Assistant Glasscock reported the following:

The applicant is requesting a variance from the Meeker Municipal Code, so they may

build a single family dwelling with the ground-floor habitable living area less than 864

The lot is currently vacant and is in the Central Business Zone District. Title 18.1.121 B)

V) states that single-family dwellings shall be built with a ground-floor habitable living

area of not less than 864 square feet. The proposed dwelling consists of 761 square feet

main floor living area and a 273 square foot garage. In addition, the Central Business

Zone District does not require a minimum building lot area or setbacks in the front or side

yard (there is a 5 foot year yard setback requirement). Since obtaining the application,

staff has not received any negative comments or inquiries from the neighbors. The

request has been advertised in the paper as mandated in the Meeker Zoning Ordinance.

Also, a sign has been posted on the site and letters were mailed to all of the adjacent

property owners. Staff recommends approval of this request, contingent upon Town

Council’s approval of the Special Use and based on the code as described below:

This request is not detrimental to the public good nor does it impair the intent and

purposes of the Code; the proposed home plan is consistent with the character of the

neighborhood and the Comprehensive Plan.

The topography of the lot is flat and the shape of the lot is typical of lot sizes in the area;

50’ x 150’ (7,500 square feet). However, the applicant’s hardship is due to a small lot

size and that constructing a single-family dwelling (that meets the required habitable

ground floor square footage) and an adequately sized garage, limits the open space area

and may possibly encroach on the adjacent neighbors.

The sizes of lots in the zone district are typical, but the hardship was not created by action

of the applicant.

There are no other practical means to correct the situation without a variance.

Chairman Hindman asked for comment. Planner Sheridan reminded the commission that

if they approve this request, it is contingent upon the Special Review being approved by

Town Council. Joe Conrado stated that there is an additional hardship as the adjacent

property owner, Roach, has a garage that sits on the 320 Main property by approximately

1 foot. Chairman Hindman asked for comments for or opposed the request. Hearing none,

None

Planning Assistant Glasscock provided the commission with a copy of a variance request

application and special review use application. Both items will be on the next planning

commission agenda.

Leslie Sorensen moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 p.m; motion seconded by Joy

Thayer. Motion carried.