Council agrees to add yard-definition diagram to zoning map, leaves numeric setbacks in code

Council members agreed to add a diagram to the zoning map to help residents visualize front, side and rear yard orientation, but they stopped short of placing numeric setback distances on that map.

At the meeting, one member introduced the planning commission's recommendation that the map include the picture to clarify wording. "My understanding of that picture alone is to define per the building, not the lot, but per the building, what side yard is versus front yard versus rear yard," said Speaker 2, who reported the planning commission had reviewed the illustration.

Several members raised concerns about placing numeric setback figures on the map. Speaker 1 noted setbacks vary by zone and by lot type (including corner lots) and said, "If you put a picture in there and have setbacks, you'd have to put a picture in for everything." Speaker 3 added that the diagram had been brought by a citizen and could help residents who read the code wording differently.

Council members agreed to include the drawing without changing the written setbacks in the municipal code and asked staff to treat any numerical setback revisions as a separate code review at a future date. The mayor (referenced in discussion) asked the council to begin looking at codes they might want to revise, and setbacks were identified as a candidate for future review.