ORANGE

The City Council has asked the Planning Commission to study the building requirements for single-family homes following the recent enlargement of a garage in the 300 block of North Milford Street. Community Development Director Jack McGee wrote in a memo to the Planning Commission that the 19-foot, 6-inch garage appears “to be very out of scale with surrounding homes,” but indicated that it meets current city codes.

Property owner Michael D. Broyles, 51, said his new 1,300-square-foot garage will house his drag-racing cars as well as a motor home when he retires. He said the enlargement is part of an overall addition of a second story to his home, which he bought in October 1972. “No one can stop me now,” he said. “I don’t live in Old Towne or an association area. I can’t understand why [the city] is having such a problem with this.”

Broyles--who received the city’s OK on the enlargement before construction began in April--said he believed his solution was better than having his vehicles parked outside in public view. Neighbor David Schweitzer, 23, said he hadn’t heard of any complaints in the neighborhood. “It doesn’t bother me in the least,” he said. “It doesn’t look like an eyesore at all.”

McGee said city staffers will first make recommendations to the Planning Commission for review in about 90 days.