Agenda - Council - 01/14/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I INTRODUCE ORDINANCE TO AMEND SETBACK AND HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS OR GARAGES By: Community Development Director Sylvia Frolik Background: CASE #: City Code states tMt detached accessory structures may not be located closer to the front property line than the home on the property. The City's most common variance request, with respect to detached accessory buildings, pertains to this restriction. Since January 1, 1997, the City has received 23 requests for variances to the setback requirements for detached garages. Of those 23, 3 pertained to the side yard setback. The other 20 were requests to be closer to the front property line than the home on the property. All 20 requests for variances to be closer to the front property line than the home were approved. Of those 20, 17 met or exceeded the standard front yard setback for their respective zoning districts, even with the variance. All 23 requests were from rural lots. It became evident that the exception had become the rule and it was time to reconsider the front yard setback requirements for detached accessory buildings. Observations: As time permitted over the past 6 months, City Staff has been working with the Planning Commission to amend the rule that prohibits accessory buildings from being Closer to the front property line than the home. An ordinance has been drafted to establish that a detached accessory building or garage can be closer to the front property line than the home under certain conditions. The proposed conditions are as follows: Co the lot is at least 2 acres in size; the placement of the garage maintains compliance with the standard front yard setback for the respective zoning district; the exterior materials on the accessory building 'match the home; the accessory building is designed with a soffit, fascia, and eave overhang to match the home. While reviewing this section of City Code, the Planning CommissiOn determined that some other housecleaning type amendments were necessary: They are as follows: Co Regulate heights of accessory buildings by lot size versus whether the property is in or out of the Metropolitan Urban Service Area. When the accessory building is within' 5 feet of the principal building, add in the option to construct the accessory building with a 1-hour fire rated wall instead of requiring it to be attached to the principal building. Elimination of the requirement that states accessory buildings within 10 feet of the principal building must comply with the same setback requirements as the principal building. -199-