Planning commission forwards conditional approval for second driveway at 3396 East Antler Way

The Cottonwood Heights Planning Commission voted to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve a second driveway approach for the property at 3396 East Antler Way, contingent on the issuance of a building permit for the proposed garage.

Planning staff explained that the homeowner has submitted a lot-line adjustment to acquire a portion of an adjacent parcel and intends to build a garage and a pool on the expanded parcel. Staff said geotechnical studies indicate significant grading and elevation changes make a driveway extension from the existing parcel infeasible and that the proposal otherwise meets development and sensitive-lands standards. Staff cited code provisions governing access for single-family dwellings (referenced in the record as "14 12 1 10 B 1" and "14 12 1 50") that permit exceptions when unusual topography or other exceptional circumstances exist; staff recommended forwarding a recommendation of approval to the City Council.

The applicant described the intended uses and the engineering work already completed. He told the commission: "I probably spent about $35,000 to date. In order to get this into, the design of the structure 1 on, I'm probably gonna be into a 50,000." He said that having certainty that a driveway exception would be available if the building permit is issued is important before he invests further.

Several neighbors spoke in support. A resident who lives above the applicant said the project "won't be bad for the neighborhood" and raised only concerns about construction noise and dirt. Two other neighbors, Dave Michael (3418 East Antler Way) and Michelle Nelson (3384 Meranda Way), said they supported development of the parcel and that it would improve neighborhood stability and appearance.

Commission discussion focused on sequencing and risk: commissioners asked that geotechnical work and final engineering be completed and recommended making the commission’s recommendation to council conditional on issuance of a building permit for the garage. One commissioner noted the substantial retaining and geotechnical work that may be required and suggested the condition guard against an approved driveway leading to incomplete development. A motion to forward the recommendation with the building-permit condition was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote.

The commission’s roll call recorded the following votes on the recommendation to forward conditional approval: Commissioner Shelton — yes; Commissioner Lugo — yes; Commissioner Mills — yes; Commissioner Barnes — yes; Commissioner Polson — yes; Commissioner Anderson — yes; Commissioner Steinman — yes. Commissioner Smith was noted as absent in the record.

Next steps: the City Council will consider the commission’s recommendation (the record indicates the council meeting on Nov. 18) and will decide whether to grant the driveway exception and any conditions of approval.