Commission recommends variance to allow detached garage at 3734 Raymond Avenue

Brookfield Planning & Zoning Commission members voted June 25 to recommend approval of a zoning variation that would increase maximum building coverage from 30% to 36% at 3734 Raymond Avenue, allowing the homeowners to build a one-and-a-half/ two-car detached garage.

The petitioner, Alex Hawky, who said he has lived at 3734 Raymond for about nine years, described the new garage as replacing the footprint of a previous structure and said his contractor, Stanley Garage Builders, is in permit review. “My wife and I are trying to build a small one and a half car detached garage,” Hawky said during the public hearing.

Libby, a village planner, reviewed site measurements and the standards of review for variations and told the commission staff’s recommendation was approval. A neighbor letter from David Salaldo at 3718 Raymond in support of the variance was read into the record; Salaldo said the increase “will likely improve the value of the home in question and the block as a whole” and argued the functional difference between a garage and a parking pad is minimal for local stormwater impacts.

Commissioners asked about the existing fence and were told it will be removed during construction. The motion to recommend approval included conditions requiring substantial compliance with the plans prepared by Stanley Garage Builders and that any gutters and downspouts be directed to private property rather than the public right-of-way.

The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval; the matter will go before the Village Board of Trustees on July 13. Because the Planning & Zoning Commission is advisory, the Village Board has the final decision.

What’s next: the board will consider the commission’s recommendation and any permit filings the petitioner submits as he proceeds with the building-permit process.