Council amends zoning to allow circular or 'hammerhead' driveway exceptions on select arterial streets

The Royce City Council approved Ordinance 25‑4 on May 6 to amend the zoning code’s off‑street parking and loading provisions, adding exceptions that allow circular driveways or hammerhead (single‑entrance turnaround) configurations on a list of specified streets.

Staff explained the change followed a planning‑commission review prompted by citizen requests that began as a discussion about trailer parking. Planning commissioners recommended adding certain arterial streets to a list where circular driveways or hammerhead turnarounds are allowed; the amendment adds streets such as 4000 South, 4800 South (4800 South), 6000 South and several numbered west streets to the exception list.

Under current code a true circular driveway requires sufficient frontage (a 100‑foot base with additional allowances per 50 feet). The hammerhead option (a single entrance with an on‑lot turnaround) provides a safety‑oriented alternative on the designated arterial corridors where frontage may be limited. Planning commissioners recommended the change partly on public‑safety grounds: allowing a hammerhead reduces the need to back onto busy arterial streets.

Council members discussed whether to allow hammerheads more broadly citywide; staff said the planning commission had limited the list to specific higher‑traffic corridors. Council accepted the planning commission recommendation and approved the ordinance on a roll‑call vote. Council directed staff to continue separate work on trailer‑parking regulations, which also originated with residents but remains pending planning‑commission recommendation.