Variances may be granted for oversided garages
Staff reporter
If city building inspector Marty Fredrickson had his way, there would be no size limitations for auxiliary buildings in residential areas.
During Monday's Marion City Council meeting, Fredrickson asked the council to consider removing size restrictions from an ordinance that was revised six months ago.
Originally there was an 800-square-foot maximum size for garages and workshops within areas zoned for residential use. In July, the council revised the ordinance to allow up to 1,200-square-foot buildings in neighborhoods.
"Most wouldn't fit on city lots," Fredrickson said, because of zoning regulations that have setback requirements. He said he would like to see the ordinance be more flexible.
Roger Schwab, city planning commission chairman, said he "totally opposed" to Fredrickson's suggestion. Current city regulations require a primary residence on the lot with the auxiliary building.
"I think the ordinance is the way it is because it serves a purpose," Schwab said, saying he didn't want his neighborhood to have garages and storage buildings instead of houses.
City public works director Harvey Sanders said restrictive covenants could be set up in specific neighborhoods which would restrict auxiliary buildings. He continued that some people put up buildings to hide unsightly items which cleans up appearances of residences.
Tina Steele said she and husband Kevin own two acres and would like to construct a shop to store Kevin's semi which would require a 14-foot door and sidewalls and a 40x50-foot building, for a total of 2,000 square feet.
"Didn't we write the ordinance to allow variances?" city attorney Dan Baldwin asked.
Councilman Jerry Kline said he would like to encourage development but was concerned about some of these larger buildings being used for businesses.
In the end, the council decided anyone wanting to construct a building larger than 1,200 feet would be required to apply for a variance with the city's board of zoning appeals.
In other business:
— When it came time for the council to approve pay increases for city employees, councilman Bill Holdeman asked that the salary employees be separated from the hourly employees.
He cited a difference in a four percent pay increase for those who make $60,000 vs. those who make $10,000 per year. It was explained to him that not all employees received a four percent pay increase. The pay increase was determined by employee evaluations.
A pay increase up to four percent was approved by the council in 2007 when the 2008 budget was approved. The pay increase does not include a cost of living increase.
The pay increases were approved by the council with a vote of 4-1, with Holdeman voting against.
— A payment of $21,694 was approved to Hett Construction for the Cardie Oil Company building at the city's industrial park.
— The council approved the purchase of a lawn mower for Central Park from Deere Trail Inc. of Marion with trade-in of a mower and snow blower. After the trade-ins and government discount, the city is paying $5,161.
— A contract with Crossroads Wireless will be reviewed after the council receives information from the company regarding site maps of tower locations and areas customers would be served.
— A change in the city's personnel policy manual will allow retiring employees to receive a lump sum payment for unused sick leave up to 240 hours. Before the change was implemented, retirees were required to have 480 hours of sick leave accumulated before being paid for 240 hours. Councilman Stacey Collett voted against the policy change because he is not in favor of paying employees for sick leave, stating sick leave should be used when the employee is sick.
— The council approved the following board appointments: J.B. Miesse, Marion Planning Commission, one-year term; Dennis Youk and Sharon Smith, Marion Historical Museum, four-year terms; and Jean Case, Marion Housing Authority, four-year term.
— A five-minute executive session was held for attorney-client privilege with no decisions after the session.
The next regular council meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 28.
