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Shrewsbury plan commissioners form subcommittee to define “structure” in zoning code
Summary
At its Aug. 28 work session, the Plan Commission agreed to convene a three-member subcommittee to draft definitions of “structure” and “accessory structure” for front-yard rules and to list permissible and impermissible front-yard items; the subcommittee will report back at the next meeting.
The Shrewsbury Plan Commission on Aug. 28 agreed to form a three-member subcommittee to draft a clear definition of "structure" and "accessory structure" for the city's zoning code and to produce a recommended list of items that may or may not be placed in front yards.
The action followed a report from the Board of Aldermen that said the code currently lacks a usable definition of "structure" outside of a single flood-zone provision (Section 445.280) while Section 405.020, Item 7, prohibits structures in front yards but does not define what counts as a structure. Commissioners said varying interpretations have produced resident disputes and consumed staff time.
Commissioner Sneed, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Bischoff volunteered to serve on the subcommittee. The group will research how neighboring municipalities define "structure," draft proposed definitions for both "structure" and "accessory structure," and prepare a list of permissible and impermissible front-yard items. The subcommittee is expected to return a preliminary framework at the commission's next meeting on Sept. 25.
City Clerk Katelyn Wands and commissioners emphasized the goal is to give the Board of Aldermen a clear, practicable recommendation that reduces inconsistent enforcement and resident confusion. No formal ordinance change was voted on at the Aug. 28 meeting; the subcommittee's recommendations will inform any future code amendment.
