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<br />WS – Item 8 <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item No. 8 <br /> <br />Date: March 5, 2018 <br /> <br />To: City Council <br /> <br />From: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director <br /> <br />Re: Allowance for Wider Driveways <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />Councilmember Stoesz requested discussion of possibly increasing the allowable width <br />for residential driveways. <br /> <br />The City Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum residential curb cut width of 26 feet. The <br />driveway may increase in width at a 45 degree angle at the property line. Driveway <br />width restrictions are fairly common and serve a 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 <br />corridors. <br />• Preserve street snow storage. <br />• Minimize conflicts with vehicle, pedestrian and bicycles using street. <br />• Minimize impervious surfaces. <br /> <br />A preliminary study of municipal zoning ordinances shows residential driveway widths <br />ranging from 24 – 30 feet. 10 of the 12 communities had maximum driveway widths of <br />24 feet or less. Roseville has a 26’ width and Blaine allows up to 30’. <br /> <br />Over 500 driveways have been permitted during the last 5 years. There has not been any <br />significant issues raised by the existing ordinance requirements. <br /> <br />Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance requires a public hearing be held by the Planning & <br />Zoning Board and approval of an ordinance by the City Council. <br /> <br />Requested Council Direction <br /> <br />Determination by the City Council whether to initiate an Ordinance amendment related to <br />driveway widths. <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> <br />1. Driveway Exhibit <br />2. Driveway Community Survey