Planning staff proposes Title 19 tweak to define front façade and require front doors on infill homes

Planning staff presented a Title 19 text amendment to define the "front façade" of a home and to require a front door and a connecting pathway for single- and two-family infill development.

Staff (Speaker 8) explained the problem arises when an infill house or corner lot places the garage and driveway on the street frontage while the door faces an interior lot line, producing a street-facing garage and unclear front-yard orientation. The proposed amendment would clarify where the front façade is measured, prohibit entry to the house solely through a garage-facing opening, and require a pedestrian path to a front entrance. Staff said the amendment includes caveats for lots intentionally oriented toward open space and allowances for odd-shaped and flag lots.

The planning commission reviewed the change and recommended it unanimously, though some councilmembers noted the planning commission's unanimous vote surprised them. Council members asked whether the rule was purely aesthetic, whether EMS or police would be hindered in locating entrances, and whether the change would make existing homes nonconforming. Staff said existing approvals would be grandfathered and that exceptions would be handled where street realignments are caused by government projects.

Why it matters: staff argued the change reduces emergency-response confusion, improves neighborhood consistency, and reduces later nonconformity disputes when homeowners later request additions or accessory structures. The council did not take a final vote in the work session; staff offered to answer follow-up questions and proceed to a formal ordinance presentation if the council desired.