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CASE #: ~, <br /> <br />PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR <br />DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS OR GARAGES <br /> By: Community Development Director Sylvia Frolik <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />City Code states that detached accessory structures may not be located closer to the front <br />property line than the home on the property. The City's most common variance request, with <br />respect to detached accessory buildings, pertains to this restriction. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />Since January 1, 1997, the City has received 23 requests for variances to the setback <br />requirements for detached garages. Of those 23, 3 pertained to the side yard setback. The other <br />20 were requests to be closer to the front property line than the home on the property. All 20 <br />requests for variances to be closer to the front property line than the home were approved. Of <br />those 20, 17 met or exceeded the standard front yard setback for their respective zoning districts, <br />even with the variance. All 23 requests were from rural lots. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />It is evident that the exception has become the rule and it is time to reconsider the front yard <br />setback requirements for detached accessory buildings. Staff is recommending that City Code be <br />amended to eliminate the requirement that the front yard setback for detached garages match the <br />distance of the home for lots larger than one acre in size. The one acre threshold is an attempt to <br />protect the streetscape on the more dense neighborhoods. However, this raises the question: is <br />there is a concern with garages being closer to the front property line, even on lots less than 1 <br />acre in size, as long as the standard front yard setback is met? Even though all 20 requests <br />received over the past five years were for the rural area, and even though it is difficult to fit a <br />detached accessory garage on an urban lot, Staff feels there should be some threshold in City <br />Code to prevent accessory garages extending closer to the front property line in urban density <br />neighborhoods. <br /> <br />City Staff' recommends reviewing the proposed ordinance, directing staff to make any <br />modifications deemed appropriate, and forwarding the ordinance to City Council for adoption. <br /> <br />Commission Action: <br /> <br />Motion to recommend that City Council adopt an ordinance to amend front yard setback <br />requirements for detached accessory buildings. <br /> <br />Copies Distributed To: <br />Principal Planner <br />Associate Planner <br />Building Official <br />Building Inspector <br />Fire/Building Code Inspector <br /> <br />PC: 07/11/02 <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br /> <br />