Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission forwards zoning amendment reducing rear‑yard setback for shallow preexisting lots
Summary
The commission voted to recommend an amendment to the city zoning ordinance that would reduce rear‑yard setbacks to 10 feet for preexisting single‑family lots recorded by April 1 that are 80 feet deep or less, intended to avoid repetitive variance requests on very shallow lots.
Planning staff presented a draft zoning ordinance amendment on March 11 that would reduce minimum rear‑yard setbacks to 10 feet for preexisting single‑family lots that are 80 feet deep or less and recorded on or before April 1. Staff said the change targets older, shallow lots that otherwise have very limited buildable envelopes under current setback rules and is intended to provide administrative relief instead of repeated variance applications to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Staff noted they have been working with a local contractor who encountered several shallow lots that are effectively unbuildable under current rules, and the amendment would create consistent relief across similar lots. The commission opened and closed a public hearing with no speakers and recommended the ordinance amendment to council by a recorded vote.
If adopted by council, the change would apply only to qualifying preexisting lots and not alter standard setbacks for new subdivisions.
