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Committee pauses parking-setback change after resident testimony; asks staff for neighborhood maps
Summary
A proposed change to off-street parking setback and buffer requirements in urban residential zones was discussed after a resident testified about parking impacts. The committee rescinded a motion and requested maps showing where URD1/URD2 zones and potential impacts would fall before acting.
The committee reviewed proposed changes to off-street parking setback and buffer requirements in urban residential zoning (URD1).
Planning Director Ani Colette described the proposal: make URD1 and similar urban zones subject to the same front- and side-setback rules (6 feet front, 5 feet side) and to clarify when an "A" buffer (6—10 feet with fewer shrubs/trees per 100 feet) may be used instead of a larger "C" buffer (roughly 20—25 feet). Colette said the change is primarily targeted at small multi-unit properties where a full C buffer can make parking infeasible.
Public comment: Carol Cutting, who identified herself as a Bangor resident, spoke during public comment and provided photographs of parking she said directly abuts her fence and backyard. Cutting said the proposed reduction in buffer/setback could allow multiple parked cars within a few feet of her property and described repeated nuisance behavior she attributes to nearby rental properties. "So within 56 feet of my house, I can have 10 cars facing me. That is an awful lot for residential property," she said.
Council discussion and motion: Committee members asked staff how many properties would be affected and where URD1 zoning is concentrated; Colette and staff said they did not have an exact count but expected the change to affect primarily new parking proposals associated with three-or-four+ unit projects. A motion to send the ordinance forward was made and seconded, but committee members then said they wanted more information and the maker rescinded the motion. The committee asked staff to return with maps and examples showing URD1/URD2 locations and the areas that would be affected.
Next steps: staff will prepare zone maps and illustrative examples and return to the committee for further review; existing parking situations would be grandfathered and the draft changes would apply to new proposals.
Ending: Planning staff noted that driveways are exempt from setback and buffer requirements; the committee requested a follow-up report showing affected neighborhoods before any ordinance is sent to Council.
