The meeting of the Meeker Planning Commission was called to order by Vice Chairman, Leslie Sorensen, Monday April 9, 2007 at Town Hall at 5:30 p.m.

            Members Present                     Vice Chairman Leslie Sorensen

                                                            Joy Thayer

                                                            Martha Griffin

                                                            Keith Rholl

            Absent                                     Chairman Gary Hindman

            Others Present                          Town Administrator Sharon Day

                                                            Town Planner Denise Sheridan

                                                            Planning Assistant Dondi Glasscock

                                                            Applicants Larry and Dorothy Hayes; Tim Harris

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

A motion to approve the agenda was made by Martha Griffin and seconded by Joy Thayer. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

A motion to approve the minutes of February 12, 2007 as presented was made by Leslie Sorensen and seconded by Joy Thayer. Motion carried.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None

PUBLIC HEARING- VARIANCE REQUEST: Larry Hayes, 510 Pine Street

Vice Chairman Sorensen called for the public hearing and roll call at 5:32 p.m. Planning Assistant Glasscock reported the following:

Lot 7, Block 115 is located on the northeast corner of 6^th St and Pine St and is in the R1 Residential Zone District. The applicant is requesting a 22 ½ foot variance from the required 25 foot front yard setback on Pine Street to construct a handicapped ramp and to place an awning over the existing front deck and ramp. The existing deck and house already encroach into the front yard setback. The owner is requesting to add a ramp and awning to provide safe access to the home for his daughter that has M.S. The awning will extend over the deck and ramp with an approximate 20 inch overhang. The request has been advertised in the paper as mandated by ordinance. A sign has been posted on the site and letters have been sent to adjacent property owners. Since receiving the application, there have been no negative comments received from the public. Staff recommends approval of this request. The variance request is without substantial detriment to the public good; Section 18.1.139 states that uncovered slabs, walks, and steps may project into required yards. Uncovered porches and patios may project in residential districts no closer than 10 feet from the lot line. Roof eaves may project 24 inches over a required yard. The deck is currently uncovered but is already non-compliant and encroaching into the setback by 21 feet. The ramp would be allowed without a variance, however; the applicant is requiring to cover both the deck and ramp, creating the need for a variance. There exists on the property exceptional topography or other extraordinary situation or difficulty. The difficulty and reason for this variance is due to the need for safer access to the home than currently exists. The ramp and awning will create suitable access to the home for an occupant that requires special assistance. This is not a normal situation throughout the zone nor was it created by the applicant. The hardship that cannot be corrected by a means other than this variance is that this is the main access to the home and the applicant cannot place a ramp at any other location without a variance, unless the awning was not constructed.

Vice Chairman Sorensen closed the public hearing at 5:37 p.m. and asked if there were any questions or comments.

Keith Rholl asked the applicants if the awning was going to come off the existing roof? Tim Harris, contractor for the applicants, responded yes. Hearing no other comments, Vice Chairman Sorensen called for a motion to approve the variance request. Joy Thayer made a motion to approve the 22 ½ foot variance from the required 25 foot setback to construct a ramp and place an awning over existing deck and ramp at 510 Pine Street. Martha Griffin seconded the motion. Motion carried. Planner Sheridan stated that there is a 10 day appeal period. Mrs. Hayes asked if construction of the ramp could begin since it was not the reason for the variance. Planner Sheridan responded yes. Planning Assistant Glasscock stated that the applicants would be receiving a letter confirming the approval of the variance and the appeal period.

UPDATE ON UPCOMING PLANNING ISSUES

Planner Sheridan stated that the Sepic project is moving forward with plans to build the assisted living center, daycare center and some apartments. ELOC, Terry Erwin, is in the process of re-subdividing in Sanderson Hills to create fewer but bigger lots.

OTHER PLANNING ISSUES

Glasscock stated that Gary Hindman’s and Martha Griffin’s Planning Commission terms are up next month. Sheridan stated that Staff would like for them to continue to serve and if agree to, each needs to submit a letter for Town Council for reappointment.

ADJOURNMENT

Martha Griffin moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m; motion seconded by Keith Rholl. Motion carried.

                                                                                                            §Leslie Sorensen, Vice Chairman

Attest:  §Joy Thayer, Secretary

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