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Councilors initiate neighborhood character overlay discussion for Florence Park
Summary
Council members heard staff describe a proposed Neighborhood Character Overlay (NCO) for Florence Park intended to guide infill design, allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right, and apply design limits such as garage setbacks and roof pitch; committee initiated the process for drafting text and later applying a map amendment.
Planning staff briefed the committee on a council initiation request to develop a Neighborhood Character Overlay (NCO) for the Florence Park neighborhood.
Staff said the Florence Park Neighborhood Association and Councilor Bellas approached the planning office seeking a tool similar to the Renaissance neighborhood overlay to manage infill development and preserve neighborhood scale. The overlay would set guidelines for new construction, including possible limits on height and roof pitch, garage setback requirements and options to allow accessory dwelling units by right.
"When we look at doing overlays like this in neighborhoods, we really we don't want it to just be like a set of covenants that the city has to enforce for a neighborhood," planning staff said, adding the office wants the overlay to accomplish city goals while preserving existing character. Staff described the process as a two-step approach: adopt text changes to the zoning code and then follow with a map amendment to apply the overlay to specific parcels.
Committee members noted the neighborhood had conducted outreach, including door-to-door contact, and that the association is active. No vote to adopt text or map amendments occurred at the meeting; staff said they will return later with draft text for planning commission review.
