Council refers proposed driveway hard-surface requirement to planning commission

Council held a first reading of Ordinance 51, a proposed change to chapters 1163 and 1171 of the city code that would require hard-surface (asphalt or concrete) driveways for new residential driveways and parking areas, and then voted to refer the matter to the planning commission for review. Why it matters: the proposed change affects new residential construction and accessory parking and seeks to reduce erosion, mud and widening gravel driveways. Council emphasized the change would not retroactively force existing driveways to be paved and that variances could be sought where cost or configuration pose a hardship. Commissioner Monaco outlined the proposal and said the provision already exists for commercial parking lots; this would extend the requirement to new residential driveways. He said existing driveways would be grandfathered and that applicants could request variances for unusual circumstances. Council voted to refer the ordinance to the planning commission for analysis and recommendation; the planning commission will return a written recommendation with a date of referral and a recommendation date filled into the ordinance’s whereas clauses. Next steps: the planning commission will conduct hearings and report back to council. Council indicated it would take the planning commission’s recommendation into account before scheduling second and third readings.