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Committee approves terrace setback variance so resident can plant entire front yard at 1285 Cedar St.
Summary
The committee approved a request to waive an 18-inch setback in the city’s street terrace policy at 1285 Cedar Street, on condition the planting maintain at least 70% ground cover to guard against erosion.
On Feb. 26 the Improvement & Services Committee approved an exemption to the City of Green Bay street terrace policy for a resident at 1285 Cedar Street who asked to plant the terrace area rather than maintain turf grass.
Director Venier presented the request and the relevant policy language. The city’s street terrace policy (adopted February 2012) limits planting in terrace areas with sidewalks to 12 inches in height and requires an 18-inch setback from the back of curb and from the sidewalk (item 3.b in the policy). Staff said the terrace at 1285 Cedar is approximately five feet wide, which would leave only about two feet for planting if the 18-inch setback were enforced. The resident told staff she no longer wanted to mow that narrow strip and instead prefers the planted landscaping that matches the rest of her yard.
Staff recommended the committee consider the request but noted that the policy cannot be administratively altered by staff; the committee would need to approve an exception. Venier said staff’s recommended condition for granting a variance is that the resident maintain at least 70% ground coverage in the terrace area — the same baseline the city uses for erosion control during lawn installation — to reduce runoff and erosion risk. Staff also noted the plantings proposed would remain within the 12-inch height limit and could provide root structure that may reduce erosion compared with turf.
Committee members asked about neighboring properties and maintenance; staff said neighbors had not been contacted. Several members said the planting was attractive and acceptable so long as it met the erosion-control condition. The committee approved the variance by motion; Alder Presley moved, Alder DeLay seconded.
The motion carried and the variance will be subject to the 70% ground coverage condition described by staff. The decision was recorded as a committee action and will be reflected in the minutes; further enforcement or neighbor complaints would be handled per the terrace policy and city code.
