Commission continues garage proposal at 2241 NW 28th after debate over door sizes, footprint and roof form

The commission continued HPCA25-00157, an application for a new garage, driveway and fence at 2241 Northwest 28th Street. Staff and commissioners raised concerns about the proposed garage footprint (substantially larger than typical historical two‑car garages), roof form, driveway length and the relationship between garage door width and historic character.

Applicant John Ranki said neighborhood precedent along the corridor includes larger garages and argued a larger footprint and a 16‑foot single door (or two wide doors) would meet his owner's functional needs. Staff noted guideline language that allows replacement garages to expand modestly (to a maximum of 450 square feet or 5% of lot area, whichever is greater) and said additional factors such as visibility and surrounding garage sizes may justify larger garages, but that the proposed dimensions required more justification and refinement.

Commissioners preferred a gable roof to approximate the historic form and urged the applicant to move the garage further back where possible, reduce visible width (favoring depth over width) and align driveway width with door openings. Commissioners were split on door width—some supported an 8‑foot historic standard or two 8‑foot doors; others said a single 16‑foot door or a 9‑foot door could be acceptable given existing variability on the street.

Outcome: The commission continued the item to allow the applicant to submit a revised footprint emphasizing depth over width, to study a gable roof option that approximates the historic form, and to provide revised driveway and door details for staff and the commission to review.