Resident Joe Lamper asks planning commission to clear setback rules for proposed garage

Joe Lamper asked the Scofield Planning Commission on a local meeting to clarify setbacks and approval options for a proposed garage adjacent to his home.

Lamper told the commission he had been told the garage placement was one foot too close at a prior meeting and later informed it would need to be 10 feet from the property line if attached. "I was told my garage was one foot too close with the furthest projecting point on this east property line," Lamper said, asking whether the town would approve a detached structure or allow other options.

A staff member explained the town's interpretation: if an accessory building sits within 10 feet of the main building it is considered part of the dwelling. "Any separate building situated within 10 feet from the main building should be considered as part of the main building and not an accessory building," the staff member said, adding that an attached garage becomes part of the dwelling and therefore must meet the 10-foot property-line requirement.

Staff also reviewed rules for legal nonconforming structures. The commission's staff said owners may restore or replace a legally nonconforming building on the same footprint within one year but may not enlarge the floor space devoted to the nonconforming use. "Repairs may be made to a nonconforming building, but if you go down that, you can't enlarge it," the staff member said.

Lamper and commissioners discussed practical options: extending the east property line by survey to gain needed setback (Lamper cited an estimate of $3,600 for a single boundary adjustment), shifting the garage within the lot, or rebuilding on the existing footprint under nonconforming-use rules. Commissioners also emphasized fire-code and height limits; a staff speaker warned that the maximum building height should remain at or below 30 feet to avoid firefighter access issues.

Lamper said he would pursue a survey and aims to return to the commission with revised plans. The commission noted the next meeting date and encouraged Lamper to submit any updated designs in time for review. "If I get it done on my end and get it approved here, get it submitted to the county with a detailed build, then I should be able to get all of my cement work done this year," Lamper said.

The commission did not take a formal vote on Lamper's request at that meeting; Lamper indicated he would bring a revised plan to the next meeting.