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Staff previews reorganization of setback and landscaping rules into tables and figures
Summary
Planning staff reviewed an ordinance draft to convert paragraph-based setback rules into consolidated tables and figures across zoning chapters; the changes would not alter substantive setback distances but would clarify exceptions and landscaping requirements.
Staff presented a code-reorganization proposal that moves setback and related requirements from paragraph text into standardized tables and figures for each zone. The presentation emphasized that the proposal would not change numeric setback distances but would make them easier to read, reduce contradictions between parking and building setbacks, and standardize notes across zones.
Key items explained included: 1) residential figures updated to reflect accessory-structure rear-setback rules (for example, a 3-foot setback for fire-rated accessory walls and otherwise a longer setback for accessory buildings), 2) commercial notes clarifying when buildings may share a common wall, 3) a standardized 5-foot landscaped buffer when a nonresidential zone abuts a residential zone (a consolidation of existing, varying rules), and 4) a clarified minimum landscape-percentage table that explicitly requires 30% landscaping for multifamily developments where previously that percentage was inconsistent across code sections.
Commissioners and staff said the reorganization is intended to reduce review time and minimize mistakes by applicants who have to assemble site plans. No formal action was taken; staff will return with an ordinance packet and a public-hearing timeline once the draft is finalized.
