Planning commission approves 5,300‑sq‑ft accessory building at 603 Aspen Lane with conditions banning commercial use

The commission approved a conditional‑use permit for a 5,300‑square‑foot major accessory building at 603 Aspen Lane after neighbors raised concerns about traffic, road width and the potential for private facilities to change into quasi‑commercial uses.

Planner Madeline McDonough said the application complies with code standard Section 10‑8‑17 and that the proposed building meets setbacks and height requirements; staff recommended approval. Neighbors asked whether the structure would be strictly private or available for paid events, and raised long‑standing concerns about Aspen Lane’s narrow cross‑section and maintenance by the service district.

Applicant representative said the structure is intended for private car storage and a small social area and confirmed, when asked, that there is no commercial intent. Commissioners debated enforceable conditions: several suggested deed restrictions and a prohibition on commercial events, and discussed whether code enforcement resources would be adequate to police any violation.

The commission adopted the CUP with additional conditions designed to prevent commercial conversion: no commercial activities or events without a separate permit, and an explicit prohibition in the conditions of approval to be reflected in the record. The applicant said he would ensure occasional visitor parking is accommodated on the property rather than on the public road.

Next steps: Staff will incorporate the commission’s conditions into the written findings, ensure the errors in the staff report language are corrected and record the conditions with the final permit.