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Commission approves rezoning of Northlake Drive lots to allow residential garages
Summary
The Watertown Planning Commission approved rezoning Lots 8through 11 on Northlake Drive from R-1 to RG (Residential Garage) so owner William Howard can build small private garages; the commission emphasized the RG district is for personal use and required paved access improvements.
The Watertown Planning Commission voted to rezone four Northlake Drive parcels from single-family residential (R-1) to RG (Residential Garage), clearing the way for owner William Howard to build small, personal garages and storage units.
Staff planner Brandy Hannon told the commission the lots (Lots 8 through 11, Block 5) are eligible to be zoned RG and that there is existing RG zoning adjacent to the south along Pheasant Lane. Hannon said the RG district was developed to provide this type of use in that area and that the lots conform to the RG lot standards.
"So I'm just looking to, build some, garages, storage there," William Howard said when asked to describe his plans. Commissioners pressed Howard on whether units would be for personal use or rented; Howard said they were intended for his personal use. Commissioner Tupper and staff confirmed the ordinance requires a paved surface to access the garages and that Howard would provide a paved driveway and improve the street right-of-way where needed.
Commissioners also discussed the ordinance's intent. "The intent of RG was not to create a commercial contractor shop state deal," a commissioner said, emphasizing that the district is intended to match residential properties and not permit commercial storage or contractor yards. Staff pointed to other local options, including a separate residential storage district that could be considered for different uses in the future.
After closing the public hearing, a motion to approve the rezoning was made and seconded. Commissioners said the request "fits the designation, the zoning that was developed for this purpose," and the motion passed.
The rezoning will be recorded and functionally changes the parcels to RG; any future proposals that would convert the garages to rental or commercial storage would have to conform to the zoning code or seek a change.
Next steps: the commission's action makes the zoning change at the planning-commission level; implementation details (driveway improvements and compliance with RG standards) will be handled through building permits and staff review.
