Planning board backs 15-foot residential driveway separation in UDO change

On Jan. 12 the Jacksonville Planning Advisory Board voted to recommend that city council adopt an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that restores a 15-foot intersection separation for vehicle use areas in residential zones. The board moved the amendment to city council after staff and stakeholders agreed the change better fits residential conditions.

Ryan, presenting the amendment on behalf of staff, said the change follows a request from Tidewater and Associates and reconciles standards that had been removed from the city code. "We needed to keep that 15 foot intersection separation for residential versus going to 50," he said, adding that lower speeds in residential zones and corner-lot geometry make a 15-foot standard more practical.

The amendment separates standards by zoning district: nonresidential areas would retain a 50-foot setback while residential lots would have the 15-foot separation. Ryan told the board the revision was intended to reduce the likelihood that existing lots become nonconforming should a structure be rebuilt or modified.

A board member moved to find the amendment consistent with the adopted plan policy 38.2 and in the public interest; Ryan seconded. The chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried. The board will present the recommendation to city council at a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 20.

The amendment package also includes related technical edits staff said reflect prior planning recommendations, including adjustments to front-yard measurement language and the graphic in Attachment A. Staff told the board these additional edits were part of prior deliberations and stakeholder review.

Next steps: the amendment will be on the city council agenda for public hearing and final action on Jan. 20.