Deephaven planners recommend council approve addition that exceeds hardcover limit at 3645 Parkway

The Deephaven Planning Commission voted 7-0 on June 16 to recommend that the City Council approve a conditional use permit for an addition at 3645 Parkway that would exceed the city's 25% hardcover limit.

Planning Director Pat Smith told commissioners the project would reduce the site's existing hardcover from 33.77% to 32.14%, which still exceeds the ordinance maximum. The applicants, Robert and Amy Dircks, are represented by Paul Trieu of Sustainable 9 Design + Build. To mitigate the excess, the proposal includes an infiltration trench in front of the house to receive roof runoff.

The trench location and drainage plan featured in commissioners' questions. Commissioner Dan Goodrich asked whether the applicant had considered a second infiltration trench along the driveway; Chair Mike Petersen responded that "the most strategic location of an infiltration trench is near the house to capture the stormwater runoff from the roof." Paul Trieu said the project team would install drain spouts at the bottom of the gutters to drain directly to the infiltration trench.

Commissioners described the application as straightforward and appropriate for an older Deephaven house. Commissioner Kjell Nafstad moved to accept staff findings and recommend City Council approval of a conditional use permit to exceed the hardcover limit by 7.14% for the 3645 Parkway addition; Commissioner Dan Goodrich seconded and the motion carried 7-0.

The Planning Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action; the transcript does not specify a council hearing date.