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Manila planners move to rewrite garage rule, affirm one existing front-garage approval
Summary
Manila Planning & Zoning members agreed to draft an amendment to Article 5, Section 503(7) to clarify when unattached garages or outbuildings may be built in front of lots; they also affirmed a prior conditional approval for an applicant whose plans had already been approved.
Manila Planning & Zoning reviewed a request from the town council to revisit Article 5, Section 503(7), which currently bars "unattached garage accessory building or outbuilding" in front yards, and agreed to draft a clarifying ordinance to balance emergency access, lot constraints and town aesthetics.
Speaker 1 (role not specified) told the committee that the council's chief concern is safety, "they want to ensure that an ambulance or fire truck will be able to get to the house with ease," and said the board had discussed a remedy requiring a 20-foot unobstructed setback. Planning members debated whether any change should apply only to existing lots with houses already built or to future new builds.
The discussion covered three linked issues: public-safety setbacks, visual character, and the variance process. Several members said the 20-foot access easement would address emergency access concerns; Speaker 6 read the code language for measuring building height and reminded the group that the maximum height for primary residences is 25 feet. Multiple participants proposed a separate, lower height cap for garages placed in front of houses — participants referenced figures around 16 feet for front garages while retaining 25 feet for primary residences or garages placed behind the house.
A number of speakers voiced design and neighborhood-character concerns. Speaker 5 said the ordinance originally sought to prevent a "warehouse" look and urged design standards and material requirements for front-facing garages, while Speaker 4 observed that some front garages can look appropriate if built of the same materials as the house.
The committee also criticized prior variance practice: Speaker 5 said the Board of Adjustment had sometimes granted exceptions too easily, saying the town had been "handing out variances like candy," and members discussed tightening the hardship/variance standard and involving planning & zoning leadership and the mayor in appeal decisions.
On the immediate procedural question, the committee acknowledged one applicant who has been awaiting a building permit since January. Speaker 6 summarized the board's reading: "The board approved Shane's garage setback and location to be in the front of the residence with the condition that the ordinance amendment was recommended and approved by both planning & zoning and town council." The motion to affirm that conditional approval was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
Planning staff were directed to draft an amendment that would be added to the town's low- and medium-residential rules clarifying: (a) whether rules apply to new builds or existing lots, (b) separate height limits for front-placed accessory buildings, (c) a 20-foot unobstructed access requirement for emergency vehicles, and (d) expectations about materials and roof pitch where practical. Staff (Speaker 6) said she would draft the amendment, consult with the town attorney (Gabby) and bring it back to Planning & Zoning for review on the fourteenth.
The committee tabled final ordinance language for that future meeting and closed the session; members said they will review wording and noticing requirements before recommending any ordinance amendment to the town council.
