Commission supports garage-size variances for Blanchon Avenue property

At its July 24 meeting the Brookfield Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of three variances for a residential property at 3532 Blanchon Avenue.

Petitioner Michael Ever (identified in the record as representing the property) told the commission the existing garage is between about 70 and 90 years old and his contractor advised replacement was needed. The requested variances were: allow a 400-square-foot detached garage (the code maximum is 376 sq ft), a 2.5-foot rear setback instead of the required 3 feet, and allow replacement of a non-conforming structure with another non-conforming structure.

Staff explained the property is a small lot and that the proposed new garage would be 18 square feet smaller than the current structure; staff recommended approval and said the new code draft may address some of these recurring nonconformity issues. Commissioners discussed stormwater/runoff considerations and the common practice of including a condition to prohibit adding a 100-square-foot shed in association with a larger garage; petitioner agreed to that restriction.

Action: The commission voted to recommend approval of all three variances for case number 2511; roll call recorded affirmative votes from Commissioners Evans, Sabin, Straka and Grund. The commission reiterated its advisory role; the Village Board will make the final decision at a later meeting. The petitioner will proceed to building-permit review and must meet fire and stormwater requirements prior to construction.

What comes next: Applicant must obtain building permits and comply with stormwater and fire-department requirements during permit review. The commission noted the village's forthcoming zoning-code update may reduce the need for similar variances in the future.