09-13-2012 Planning Comm. Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 ZONING The City Planner reported that City staff has requested that the AMENDMENT Zoning Code regulations relative to the parking of vehicles and storage PARKING OF of equipment in side yards of residential properties be clarified. He noted VEHICLES that currently the Code allows property owners to pave within 3 feet of ON side property lines. However, there are various side yard setback RESIDENTIAL requirements relative to the various activities that can occur on a PROPERTIES residential property. Passenger vehicles can be parked in the side yard within 3 feet of the property line. Recreational vehicles and other storage are held to a minimum 10 foot setback in the side yard. The Planner indicated that the issue with storage as well as recreational vehicles has to do with the impact on the adjacent property. The Planner noted that storage can be unsightly and also pointed out that RVs can be quite large. The Planner reviewed his September 7, 2012 report wherein he recommended that the Zoning Code be amended to add some additional conditions that would address the issue of height and, in some cases require screening to minimize impact on neighboring properties. These conditions include: • Any storage or parking closer than 10 feet from the property line be no greater than 6 feet in height — this would accommodate nearly all passenger vehicles and light trucks and allow for storage of residential items up to that height. • Any storage of materials or equipment that are not passenger vehicles or light trucks in this area must be screened and landscaped from view of the neighboring property and public street; • Any storage of vehicles (such as RVs) that exceed six feet in height shall meet the required 10 foot side yard setback. Knudsen asked about short-term storage, such as building materials. The Planner indicated that this storage is addressed under another provision in the Code and would be exempt from the section being discussed this evening. Murphy asked about parking of boats in the side yard. The Planner indicated that a boat on a trailer that is not over 6 feet in height could be parked up to 3 feet from the property line as long as it was screened. Murphy asked how many properties this ordinance amendment, if adopted, would impact. The Planner noted that the current rules are not being changed as much as they are being clarified. The Planner noted that given pavement is allowed up to 3 feet from the property line, property owners assume that they can store or park anything on that paved surface. Knudsen asked if the difference between a passenger vehicle or light truck and a boat or RV is that the passenger vehicle or truck are more likely to be moved. The Planner replied that that was correct. He also noted that -9-