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Planning commission recommends easing drive-aisle setback along Washington Boulevard
Summary
The commission voted to recommend a code change to allow drive aisles to be closer than the existing 20-foot front setback on Washington Boulevard: drive aisles may be as close as 14 feet from top/back of curb or to the property line, whichever is greater; the change applies to drive aisles, not permanent parking.
The North Ogden City Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council amend Title 11-19-3 to reduce distance requirements for drive aisles and parking lots adjacent to Washington Boulevard and similar collector or arterial streets.
Scott Hess, North Ogden's community and economic development director, told the commission the current code requires most parking areas to be 20 feet from the front property line along Washington Boulevard and other designated collectors and arterials. He said the strict reading of the code prevented a business from expanding its parking and that the department was asked by council to study options. "When the application came in, all areas of the parking lot included just the entirety of the parking lot to include a drive aisle that would encroach into that 20 feet," Hess said, noting the encroachment in the Big O Tires application was six to eight feet.
Hess presented draft language that would allow drive aisles (not permanent parking) to be closer than 20 feet, by measuring from a fixed public edge: at least 14 feet behind the top/back of curb of the street or 16 feet from edge of asphalt where no curb exists. The commission clarified that the ordinance as recommended would read as the greater of 14 feet from top/back of curb or the property line, to avoid placing drive aisles on public right-of-way in some locations.
Big O Tires owner Jason Westbrook addressed the commission, describing operational constraints and deliveries that motivated his request. "If we can open that up, it will make it a lot more maneuverable," Westbrook said, describing delivery rigs and trailers that currently struggle with vehicle circulation on his lot.
Commissioners discussed precedent, safety, uniformity along the corridor, and administrative clarity. Vice Chair Nisa Green moved that the commission recommend the draft language in the staff report with the modification that drive aisles be allowed at the greater of 14 feet from top/back of curb or property line and that the change apply to drive aisles only (per staff language). The motion was seconded and passed 4–0 (Watson, Bailey, Webb and Green voting yes). The item will proceed to City Council for the legislative decision.
