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Brookfield planning panel recommends variances for larger garage and higher lot coverage at 3620 Harrison Ave.
Summary
On Aug. 28 the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend that the Village Board approve variances allowing a 600 ft² detached garage and a 34.2% building coverage (code max 30%) at 3620 Harrison Ave.; staff recommended approval with conditions and the case is scheduled for the Village Board on Sept. 8.
On Aug. 28 the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend that the Village Board approve two zoning variances for the property at 3620 Harrison Avenue: an increase in detached garage size from the 500-square-foot code maximum to 600 square feet, and an increase in building coverage from the code maximum of 30% to 34.2%.
The applicant, Shazad Amad, told the commission he and his wife, Hira, lost their garage — and a Camaro — to a November fire of unknown cause and want to rebuild a combined structure consisting of a 500 ft² garage plus a 100 ft² shed. "We lost our garage and my Camaro along with it to a fire of no cause," Amad said, adding that his 5,000-square-foot lot is smaller than the 6,200-square-foot standard and that his sister, a disabled veteran who needs surgery and will stay with them during recovery, needs space while she recuperates.
Staff presented the application and recommended approval. Staff described the lot as a 5,000 ft² single-family parcel and said the requested garage and coverage exceed the code limits; staff recommended approval "with the condition that they build it per the plan," and noted a requested condition to redirect roof downspouts away from the public alley toward private property to address standing-water concerns.
During deliberations commissioners asked technical questions about an existing concrete pad and drainage. One commissioner said illness or injury alone should not be a basis for a variance; other commissioners emphasized that the request fits setbacks and green-space requirements and that the lot's substandard width reduces the allowable size under the current code.
The commission read two motions — one to recommend approval of the garage-size variation (500 ft² to 600 ft²) and one to recommend approval of the building-coverage variation (30% to 34.2%) — and voted to recommend both to the Village Board. The commission recorded five affirmative votes and no opposing votes; the motion carried. The case will be presented to the Village Board on Sept. 8.
Staff also reminded commissioners of an APA workshop opportunity and of a joint zoning-code workshop with the Board of Trustees scheduled for next week; the meeting adjourned at about 7:18 p.m.
