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Planning commission approves rules to allow regulated front‑driveway carports with size and sidewalk setbacks
Summary
The commission recommended a text amendment allowing one regulated carport per dwelling on front driveways (600 sq ft cap), limiting enclosure and requiring building permits, and amended setback language to require a minimum 5‑foot clearance from public sidewalks (10 ft from curb where no sidewalk exists).
The Cheyenne Planning Commission on May 18 recommended that the City Council adopt a text amendment to permit and regulate carports on front driveways under a new section of the Unified Development Code.
Staff said the change responds to numerous constituent inquiries and would remove carports from accessory‑building limits in certain residential settings while imposing standards to protect streetscape and safety. "Carports are accessory to residential uses on lots that do not require site plan review…they shall not be considered an accessory building for the purpose of this code," a staff explanation in the record stated.
What the amendment does: The draft establishes standards allowing a single carport per dwelling unit with the following limits and requirements: a maximum 600 square‑foot footprint; no more than two enclosed sides and, where sides are enclosed, the lower 50% of the vertical wall must remain open except where the director finds an architecturally compatible alternative; building permits required (structures over 200 sq ft); and conditional‑use review through the Board of Adjustment for requests to exceed the numeric limits.
Setback change adopted by the commission: After discussion about pedestrian safety and sightlines, commissioners amended the staff proposal to require front‑yard carports to be set back at least 5 feet from any public sidewalk (or 10 feet from the curb where no sidewalk exists). The commission also revised the carport definition to begin with function — "limited overhead protection to vehicles from the elements" — and moved accessory‑building language to a secondary clause.
Debate and rationale: Commissioners expressed mixed views. Some said front‑yard carports can protect vehicles from hail and weather and can be designed to be compatible with the house; others warned that metal carports placed up against sidewalks could degrade streetscape character and lower neighborhood desirability. Staff noted that building code permits and inspection will ensure anchoring and snow/wind load compliance.
Outcome and next steps: The commission voted to recommend the carports amendment as amended. The final roll call recorded Tony Lair (No), Justin Trip (Yes), Bob Mati (Yes), Megan Connor (No) and Amy Hernandez (Yes). The item will proceed to the City Council for consideration.
What to watch: The City Council will decide whether to adopt the section as written or further restrict front‑yard carports, require additional design standards, or route more requests to conditional review.
