PC 012313 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Dolan replied that this is what reasonable accommodation is, and if the only way they can get in and out of their home with a wheelchair is going into the setback, staff would allow that. Commissioner O'Connor recalled that the proposed ramp seemed fairly lengthy but not very steep and wound back and forth a couple of times and went up the front of the house onto a fairly large deck which is what brought it more forward towards the sidewalk. He indicated that this is why he asked if the City had any kind of design review authority or if they could ask for whatever they want and it is automatically granted. He asked what would be "reasonable" and what "reasonable accommodation' is. Ms. Stern replied that the findings and decision which are listed in Exhibit A of the staff report allow potential impact on surrounding uses and alternative reasonable accommodations to be considered. She noted that conditions of approval may be imposed by the reviewing authority as well. She added that this would be an administrative process rather than a variance process, and they would not need to meet the findings for a variance, which are a pretty high standard. Commissioner Narum asked the Commissioners how they would feel about adding language to exempt or waive the $25 fee in case of hardship. Commissioner Pearce inquired if the Commission can do that, noting that she thought that was for the City Council to consider because it did not involve land use and lost fees. Mr. Dolan replied that that would be staff's preference. Commissioner Narum moved to recommend approval to the City Council of Case P13 -0005. Commissioner Pearce seconded the motion. Commissioner Blank suggested a friendly amendment to the motion to recommend to the City Council that the $25 fee be waived in case of a hardship. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if that would be an administrative process and would not require the applicant to go back to the Council. Ms. Diamond replied that the Director of Finance would review hardship waiver requests for appeals. She added that it is quite a process for the Finance Department to go through and getting the information necessary for the review. Mr. Dolan commented that the City will be spending more money in creating rules than it will ever take in over ten years. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, January 23, 2013 Page 42 of 44