HomeMy WebLinkAboutFrontPorchAmendment_042412.pdf REQUEST FOR PLANNI NG COMMISSION ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ The City That Soars! Description An ordinance is proposed to amend the City Code to allow limited encroachment of open front porches into required front yards in residential zones. Background At the request of the City Council in 2011, the Planning Commission undertook an exploration of whether to add front porches of some kind as permitted encroachments into required front yards in residential zones. Falcon Heights currently does not include this type of st ructures as an allowed encroachment into front setback. An ordinance was proposed, based on a model from another city, to define porches and allow th em on a limited basis. In February, 2012, the Planning Commission he ld a public hearing on the proposed ordinance. The hearing was attended by three community members who supported the principle of front porches as amen ities that improve neighborhoods. In the ensuing discussion, Commissioners fo und that the specific limits in the proposed ordinance raised new questions ab out side setbacks and concerns that the amendment as written might open the door to some unintended consequences. In particular, there seemed to be scope for very large porches in some cases, and some Commissioners were concerned that the amen dment would result in a significant narrowing of the visual streetscape an d a negative impact on neighborhood character. Commissioners voted to table action on the amendment in order to discuss these concerns. At a workshop in March, af ter careful discussion, new language was proposed that removes any chance of side yard encroachment and limits the square feet of front yard encroachment that would be allowed. No new hearing is required. The revised amendment is pres ented for Planning Commission action. Budget Impact None Attachment(s) Proposed ordinance amending Chapter 113 (original and revised versions) Action(s) Requested Make a recommendation to the City Council Meeting Date April 24, 2012 Agenda Item 1 Title Ordinance amending the Falcon Heights zoning code to allow certain front porch encroachments Submitted By Deborah Jones, Staff Liaison
162538v01 RNK:02/08/2012 ORDINANCE NO. ____ CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 113 OF THE CITY CODE CONCERNING PORCHES THE CITY COUNCIL OF FALC ON HEIGHTS ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Section 113-3 of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended by adding the following definition: Porch means a roofed, open area attached to a building with direct access to and from the building to wh ich it is attached. SECTION 2. Section 113-241 of the Falcon He ights City Code is amended by adding Subsection (b)(5) to provide as follows: (5) Porches with open railings whic h do not have walls, doors, windows or screens and which do not extend above t he roof line of the building to which they are attached may encroach in to the required front yard six feet if they are a minimum of fi ve feet from any interior side lot line, nine feet from any side yard line abutting a street, and 24 feet from any front lot line. SECTION 3. Effective Date. This ordinance s hall take effect from and after its passage. ADOPTED this ______ day of _______________, 2012 , by the City Council of Falcon Heights, Minnesota. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS BY: ______________________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Justin Miller, City Administrator/Clerk
163829v01 RNK:r04/17/2012 ORDINANCE NO. ____ CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 113 OF THE CITY CODE CONCERNING PORCHES THE CITY COUNCIL OF FALC ON HEIGHTS ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Section 113-3 of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended by adding the following definition: Porch means a roofed, open area attached to a building with direct access to and from the building to which it is attached. SECTION 2. Section 113-241 of the Falcon He ights City Code is amended by adding Subsection (b)(5) to provide as follows: (5) Porches with open railings whic h do not have walls, doors, windows or screens and which do not extend above t he roof line of the building to which they are attached may encroach in to the required front yard six feet if they are a minimum 24 feet from any front lot line. The encroachment into the front yard may not exceed 50 square feet. SECTION 3. Effective Date. This ordinance s hall take effect from and after its passage. ADOPTED this ______ day of _______________, 2012 , by the City Council of Falcon Heights, Minnesota. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS BY: ______________________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Bart Fischer, City Administrator/Clerk