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2 <br /> <br />Per the applicant’s narrative, the closing date to purchase the home was on November 15, 2018 <br />and it was too late in the year to have the driveway replaced (Attachment #2). A temporary <br />certificate of occupancy was issued on November 13, 2018 and a $1,000 escrow was collected <br />from the property owner until the driveway issue is resolved. <br /> <br />The parcel is a 16,139 sf corner lot on a platted cul de sac. The paved road and curb are <br />approximately 60 feet from the lot line (aka right-of-way line). The existing driveway is 34 feet <br />wide at the property line and tapers to 20 feet at the curb. The ordinance allows for a 26 foot <br />wide driveway from the property line to the curb. The applicant states in their narrative several <br />reasons why it is hard to comply with the ordinance due to the distance from the curb to the <br />property line. Staff will note that platted cul duc sacs and 4 stall garages are not unique <br />(Attachment #6). The distance from the curb to the property line is not relevant and the <br />Certificate of Survey submitted with the building permit showed that a compliant driveway is <br />possible. A 26 foot wide driveway from the curb to the property line is feasible and would be <br />compliant. <br /> <br />The property is zoned R-1, Single Family Residential and is located in an urban residential <br />subdivision. The City Engineer does not approve widening of the curb cut. The property <br />owners would be required to cut out an 8 foot wide section of the driveway. They are <br />requesting a variance instead of having to cut out a section of the driveway. <br /> <br />Zoning Ordinance <br /> <br />Per Section 1007.044(3)(h): <br /> <br />7. Curb Cut/Driveway Width. No curb cut shall exceed twenty-six (26) feet in width <br />within a residential zoning district, or thirty-six (36) feet in width if the property is in a <br />commercial, industrial, or public/semi-public zoning district, as measured at the street right-of- <br />way line unless approved by the City Engineer. The driveway associated with such curb cut <br />may increase in width at an angle not greater than forty-five (45) degrees. <br /> <br />At the March 5, 2018 Council Work Session, staff presented a report regarding driveway <br />widths. The staff report detailed that driveway width restrictions are fairly common and serve a <br />number of purposes. These include: <br /> <br />• Maintain front yard green space and enhance the streetscape. <br />• Preserve areas for on-street parking. <br />• Minimize impact and maintenance costs to public right-of-way and utility corridors. <br />• Preserve street snow storage. <br />• Minimize conflicts with vehicle, pedestrian and bicycles using street. <br />• Minimize impervious surfaces. <br /> <br />The Council concurred that the current regulations are fine and the ordinance was not amended <br />to allow for wider driveways. <br /> <br />Attachment #5 is a Driveway Exhibit depicting a 26 foot wide curb cut and 45 degree angle. <br /> <br />Findings of Fact