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Planning commission backs Maple Street garage variance with demolition bond
Summary
The planning commission recommended approval of a variance allowing a detached garage and driveway at 30665 Maple Street that would increase impervious surface to 32%, contingent on removal of the existing attached garage and a demolition bond to guarantee the work.
The city planning commission on Aug. 7 recommended approval of a variance to allow a detached two‑stall garage and new driveway at 30665 Maple Street, increasing allowable impervious coverage on the undersized lot to 32% from the Shoreland Overlay District limit of 25%.
Kendra Elmer, the city planner, told commissioners that staff calculated the existing property hardcover at 34.7% and that removing the attached garage, breezeway and walkway would lower part of the site to grass; the new configuration would yield a proposed 32% impervious surface. "Staff does recommend approval of this proposed detached garage and driveway to exceed this impervious surface threshold on the property with the following conditions listed in the packet," Elmer said. Commissioners discussed requiring demolition prior to issuance of a building permit and adding a demolition bond as a condition to ensure the required removals occur.
The applicant, who spoke during the hearing and identified himself as the property owner/applicant, said he had met with neighbors and revised his design to shed water back into restored yard areas. He requested a nine‑month window to complete demolition and construction if weather interferes with an immediate teardown. The commission directed staff to handle sequencing (recommendation: demolition permit first) and to set a bond amount; commissioners discussed $10,000 as a reasonable starting figure to guarantee removal if the owner did not complete the demolition.
A motion to recommend approval, amended to include a demolition bond set by city staff and the packet conditions and findings, passed by voice vote. Staff will forward the recommendation to city council; staff said council will consider the item on Aug. 20 and the applicant should receive a determination letter within about a week after that meeting.
The approval is conditioned on the removal of the existing attached garage, breezeway, driveway approach (between the sidewalk and street), and restoration of those areas to grass as described in staff findings. The demolition bond premium itself is a non‑refundable surety fee, staff explained. If the applicant needs additional time beyond the city action date, staff said the approval documents could include a formal extension process.
