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Commission approves overlay amendment to ease garage/porch rules in flood-hazard areas
Summary
The commission voted 4–0 to recommend a code amendment exempting two design criteria (garage setback and porch requirement) in the Guthrie Proper Overlay District for properties in flood hazard areas, allowing builders flexibility to place garages below raised living floors.
The Guthrie Planning Commission recommended approval of an amendment to the Guthrie Proper Overlay District that exempts two specific design criteria — a garage setback requirement and a porch requirement — for properties located within a flood hazard area.
Staff (S2) said the change would add a short provision to the overlay district language stating that properties in a flood hazard area are exempt from Section 6.1(c)(4)(b) and Section 6.1(c)(4)(f)(2), which relate to garage placement and porch design. The amendment is intended to allow building designs that place garages and storage under raised finished floors — a common approach where finished floors must be elevated above base flood elevation.
Commissioners discussed flexibility and risk; one commissioner cautioned "well, at your own risk," but the planning body voted 4–0 to recommend the amendment to the City Council for final action. Staff reiterated that remaining overlay standards and floodplain regulations still apply and that the change is meant to provide options for compliance with flood requirements rather than eliminate safeguards.
