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Council to consider expanding paved-driveway variance to single-family residences
Summary
Staff recommended modifying the paved-driveway ordinance so single-family driveways over 100 feet (and properties of at least one acre) can apply for a variance; the council directed staff to draft the ordinance for next month’s meeting after hearing a resident’s hardship case.
Council members discussed an ordinance amendment to change the city’s paved-driveway variance rules.
Background: The current ordinance grants variances for very long residential driveways but was written to apply primarily to A1 (agricultural) zones. Staff described a case in which a homeowner who split a parcel in 2023 now faces a roughly 550-foot driveway paving requirement after zoning changes; the homeowner said the paving cost would be prohibitive (an estimate cited around $25,000).
Proposal: Staff recommended revising the ordinance to treat "single-family residential driveways" as eligible for the variance procedure if they exceed 100 feet, and to consider an additional threshold such as one acre to avoid capturing typical commercial lots or extensive parking areas. Commissioners indicated they were comfortable asking staff to prepare an ordinance for consideration next month; planning commission review would remain part of the process.
A resident who spoke on his own behalf described the driveway as largely an easement and reiterated the financial hardship of complying immediately. Council members asked staff to draft language and return the item as an ordinance.
Next step: staff will prepare ordinance language for council review at the next meeting; the variance process and planning commission review would still apply.
