Afton approves garage size maximum

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Afton has closed the door on garages.

Afton City Council approved an ordinance establishing a size maximum for attached garages during its April 17 meeting.

Attached garages, which are defined as being within six feet of a residence, shall not exceed a 2,000 square foot foundation size, according to the decision.

Council Member Joe Richter raised the concern over attached garage sizes in January because he said he was concerned with garages being proportionate to a house.

Currently the city only regulates attached garages by impervious surface requirements.

However, the city does regulate accessory buildings, which are defined as detached structures that are more than six feet away from the dwelling unit, to not exceed 2,000 square feet.

Afton Planning Commission had previously stated that it did not see the need to regulate garages, but agreed having the same allowance as a detached accessory building seemed fair.

During last Tuesday’s meeting, Council Member Bill Palmquist agreed with Richter’s concern over small houses having large garages.

However, Richter said he does feel that Planning Commission’s proposal is a start.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” he said.

In contrast however, Council Member Randy Nelson said the 2,000 square foot maximum was not large enough for those residents who store boats, tractors and who may even fix up old cars.

“All of those things could sit outside,” he said. “We’re potentially creating as many problems as we’re eliminating.”

Both Mayor Pat Snyder and Council Member Peg Nolz agreed with Richter that approving the ordinance is a step in the right direction.

“We’ve got to do something,” Nolz said.

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