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Planning commission continues major-variance hearing for 1558 1st Street to May 12
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Summary
The Douglas County Planning Commission voted to continue a major variance application for 1558 1st Street (DP26-0004) to May 12 so the Minden Town Board can review setback findings and staff can update report materials.
The Douglas County Planning Commission on April 14 voted to continue a major-variance hearing for 1558 1st Street in Minden (DP26-0004) to the commission's May 12 meeting. The continuance was requested after town officials had denied a proposed driveway access to Mono Avenue and had not explicitly addressed the applicant's requested setback variance.
The commission's planner, Linda Doherty, told the board the application was originally a two-part request: (1) a driveway connection to Mono Avenue and (2) a reduction of the northwesterly side setback from 10 feet to 5 feet to allow construction of an attached garage. The applicant withdrew the driveway portion after the Minden Town Board unanimously denied driveway access on safety and separation grounds, Doherty said.
Patrick Clark of Building Concepts, representing the owner (the Norton Family Trust), said the owner now intends to access the new garage from the alley and remove two deteriorated accessory structures to make room for the garage. Clark said the narrower 5-foot setback would allow a two-car garage consistent with other nearby single-family houses that exist within the multifamily zoning overlay.
AJ Hames of the district attorney's office advised the commission that the board's bylaws support a continuance when substantial project changes or additional findings are needed. Multiple commissioners agreed that allowing the Minden Town Board an opportunity to explicitly address the setback findings would support a more complete record.
Commissioner Bryce Kloots moved to continue DP26-0004 to the May 12, 2026 meeting; the motion was seconded and the continuance was approved. Staff confirmed the Minden Town Board meets May 6, allowing that body to reconsider the matter before the commission's next hearing.
The continuance leaves unresolved the requested reduction in side-yard setback and any building-plan details; the applicant and staff are expected to provide updated findings and materials at the May 12 hearing.
