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City staff proposes UDC changes to allow larger driveways, ribbon drives and gravel exceptions
Summary
City planning staff proposed amendments to Unified Development Code section 26‑5‑5 to increase front‑yard driveway coverage from 35% to 50%, allow ribbon driveways in side and rear yards, restore certain gravel exceptions for agricultural districts and permit a second driveway on wide lots; Planning Commission hearing set for June 17.
Staff presented proposed text amendments to Unified Development Code section 26‑5‑5 governing residential driveways that would expand driveway coverage in front yards from 35% to 50% to better accommodate off‑street parking for accessory and recreational vehicles.
The amendments would also allow ribbon driveways in side and rear yards (wheel paths paved with grass between), restore an exception permitting gravel driveways in agricultural zoning districts for driveways longer than 200 feet with the front 50 feet paved to reduce gravel tracked into streets, and allow a second driveway on street frontages for lots wider than 125 feet to accommodate horseshoe or circular drives.
Staff said the Code Enforcement Advisory Committee reviewed and unanimously recommended the changes. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on these amendments on June 17 and forward a recommendation to council on July 8.
Staff noted the front‑50‑feet paving requirement applies to gravel driveways entering the right of way and that concrete is required in the right of way (not asphalt) for improvements in the right of way. Council members and staff discussed aesthetics and maintenance concerns about ribbon drives in front yards and opted to limit visible front‑yard ribbon drives to side and rear yards in order to reduce long‑term maintenance issues.
