Oak Park Heights planning commission approves garage and small front deck at 15026 Upper 63rd Street

The Oak Park Heights Planning Commission on July 9 approved a conditional use permit allowing the construction of a new garage and a small front-entry deck at 15026 Upper 63rd Street North.

City planning staff told the commission the property is a corner lot in an R-2 zone and that the proposed garage would sit in the rear yard while encroaching into the front/side yard setback common to older parts of town. Staff recommended conditions including a minimum garage setback of 18 feet to Pamela Avenue and a minimum deck setback of 6 feet to Upper 63rd; the applicant’s plan shows a 6-foot-9-inch setback for the deck. The planner also noted the garage size falls within the rear-yard allowances (reported as about 17.7% of the rear yard in staff materials).

Applicant Jennifer Villeneuve, who identified herself at the public hearing as the homeowner at 15026 Upper 63rd Street North, answered commissioners’ questions about utilities and construction. “No. We’re doing a remodel on the existing [house] right now, and that’s just sitting out there,” Villeneuve said when asked whether plumbing or electrical remained under the former garage. She confirmed there is a gas meter and a water shutoff in the right-of-way; she said the deck will be constructed around the meter to meet utility-company requirements. Villeneuve said the new garage will be “a standard 3 car garage” and that contractors will obtain utility locates before digging.

Commissioners discussed siding, roof and door colors, and plans to remove a portion of fence where the old garage stood and extend the fence to the new garage location so the frontage remains cohesive. The planning staff said they will verify setback measurements during footing inspection and that typical new-garage conditions (noted by staff) will be imposed.

Following discussion, a motion to approve the conditional use permit with the conditions recommended by staff was made, seconded, and carried by voice vote. Commissioners said they would forward the commission’s recommendation to the Oak Park Heights City Council; participants mentioned possible calendar days (the 21st and the 28th were referenced), but a final council hearing date was not settled on the record.

The commission had no other business and adjourned the meeting. The applicant’s permit approval is a recommendation to the city council; final action will be set by the council docket.