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Commission moves to place zoning amendment on next ordinance number to reduce accessory‑structure setback to 5 feet
Summary
The commission authorized introduction of an ordinance to amend Harrington’s zoning regulations to allow accessory structures to be placed as close as 5 feet from side or rear setbacks, replacing larger previous setbacks; the commission discussed remaining outdated language in the code about garages and block-face requirements.
HARRINGTON — The Harrington City Commission moved to place an ordinance in the next sequential order that would amend sections of the city’s Zoning and Subdivision Regulations to reduce residential accessory‑structure side and rear setback requirements to 5 feet.
City staff and commissioners said the change is intended to reduce the number of variance requests for small accessory structures such as sheds on small lots where the existing setbacks (10–15 feet in some residential districts) left little usable yard area. Commissioners and staff said the amendments do not relax other size, easement or setback requirements; they described the change as easing administrative burdens for minor accessory structures while retaining protections for easements and public-rights-of-way.
During discussion, commissioners and staff noted that other portions of the zoning text remain outdated — including language that appears to require garages under certain circumstances for new construction or references to block-face calculations. A commissioner specifically asked whether the proposed changes apply uniformly across R-1 and R-3 residential districts; staff said the adopted amendment would make the setback standard uniform across residential districts but other existing district-specific requirements (for new construction, garage requirements, green-space rules) remain in the code. Staff also said the planning commission and code enforcement staff reviewed the changes and recommended moving forward.
The commission made a motion and second to authorize the ordinance in the next sequential number and to have the mayor sign the ordinance documents when prepared. The transcript does not record a full roll-call vote for final adoption at this meeting; the record shows a motion and second to place the ordinance in next sequential order for consideration.
Ending Staff will place the ordinance in the next sequential number and return it for formal readings or adoption in the subsequent meeting cycle; staff also noted a broader review of the zoning regulations is needed to modernize leftover or unclear language.
