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Commission backs zoning changes to update mechanical equipment screening and raise side/rear wall allowance to 7 feet
Summary
Planning staff recommended and the commission voted to forward amendments updating mechanical‑equipment screening (require screening 1 foot taller than equipment, clarify rooftop screening) and to align yard‑wall allowances with the building code by permitting 7‑foot side/rear walls; commissioners asked staff to consult the local fire department before council review.
The Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Commission voted Dec. 2 to recommend that Town Council adopt zoning code amendments clarifying mechanical‑equipment screening and increasing allowed side and rear yard wall heights from six to seven feet to match recent building‑code allowances.
Planner Patty Hayes told the commission that staff proposes a screening requirement of one foot taller than the mechanical equipment itself and added language to clarify how rooftop units should be screened or painted. Hayes said the proposed changes also remove an odd requirement that could force additional walls where equipment sat more than 10 feet from an existing yard wall; staff recommended allowing staff discretion to evaluate neighboring impacts before imposing extra walls.
On yard walls, Hayes explained the international residential building code raised some allowances from 6 to 7 feet and that the zoning code needs to be aligned so homeowners are not penalized when building to new building‑code standards. "Staff recommends changing the allowance to 7 feet to meet the building codes," Hayes said, and added clarifying language about how wall heights are measured.
Commissioners asked whether public‑safety stakeholders had been consulted. Hayes said the police department reviewed the change and was comfortable with a 7‑foot limit; she acknowledged the fire department had not yet been consulted and agreed to bring that input to the Town Council hearing. Commissioner comments emphasized the balance between privacy and emergency access.
The commission moved to recommend approval with a specific recommendation that council consider input from the Goulder Ranch Fire Department; the motion passed by voice vote. The recommendation will be forwarded to Town Council for final adoption.
