09-14-06 Planning Comm. Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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BUILDING PERMIT APPROACH The City regulates development and ensures quality housing stock by regulating construction projects in the City. Most construction requires a building permit, so the city is able to enforce its ordinances through the building permit review process. Some building permits cover minor items such as fences or siding. Still others allow major improvements such as new garages, major home additions, or new houses. The City must strike a balance between enforcing and encouraging compliance with the city's ordinances regarding driveways, while not discouraging property owners to invest in and maintain their homes. Thus, if the City required driveway surfacing with any building permit, homeowners may decide to put off improvement projects, or proceed without a permit. Therefore, it is important to choose an adequate "threshold" to require paving of an existing, non-conforming driveway. The following table describes a number of common types of improvement projects, and establishes thresholds for existing, non-conforming driveways to be surfaced in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance. Typical 2006 pricing for standard driveway paving and replacement ranges from $3 to $6 per square foot. Therefore, a typical 20 by 50 foot Little Canada single-family driveway costs $3,000 to $6,000 to install. Costs can be much higher with poor soils, extensive grading, premium paving material (such as brick or stone pavers), or other site-specific conditions. This is a significant cost that, if mandated by the city, may have an impact on an applicant's decision to undertake a project. Common Improvement Projects: Existin ,non-conformin drivewa s An ermit of an t e e. .fence ermit Re air ro'ects re uirin a ermit e. .water heater re lacement House Improvement projects (e.g. siding, deck, remodeling of bath, kitchen) less than $15,000 in value. Any of the above projects if on an otherwise non-conforming property (area, setback, etc. House addition, less than 10 ercent of on final house finished floor area Any of the above, if a variance, CUP, or site plan review is required with the ro'ect House Improvement projects (e.g. siding, deck, remodeling of bath, kitchen) reater than ore ual to $15,000 in value. House addition, 10 ercent or more of existin house finished floor area House addition, more than 30 ercent of on final house finished floor area Gara e Addition or attached ara e as art of house addition/remodel New accessory structure, not to be used for auto parking or storage (e.g. boat house or worksho ,not served b anew drivewa New ara e, to be used for vehicle arkin for all a licable drivewa s New house construction New drivewa or arkin area construction re uires all drives be aved Staff Recommends Paving NOT Be Required Staff Recommends Paving Be Required