Council directs staff to draft garage-size amendments after residents ask for flexibility

City planning staff presented proposed updates to the city code for private detached garages after public requests. "A detached private garage can be 75% of the primary structure, 4,000 square feet, whichever is larger," Director Chapman told the council while outlining options; staff noted a 42-inch footing requirement for garage foundations that affects detached pole-barn alternatives.

Council members debated allowing larger detached garages for small homes, whether to permit garages equal to the primary structure footprint, and the legal requirement to combine lots before building on an adjacent lot. Multiple council members said those changes merited clear, written amendments and asked staff to return the item as an action item at the next meeting rather than leaving it only as discussion.