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Mounds View Planning Commission November 3, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 6 • Ayes—6 Nays—0 Motion carried. Planning Associate Ericson stated this item would be considered at the November 15 City Council meeting. 6. Special Planning Case No. SP-074-99 Discuss revisions to proposed Ordinance 642, an ordinance amending the Zoning Code related to driveway widths and curb cuts. Planning Associate Ericson stated Ordinance 642 is an ordinance which revises the Zoning Code with regard to driveway widths and curb cuts, and incorporates some changes which make the Zoning Code consistent with Chapter 900 of the Municipal Code, which was updated with Ordinance 640. Planning Associate Ericson stated at the October 20, 1999 meeting of the Planning Commission there was discussion regarding driveway widths and curb cuts, and what is appropriate in which districts. He stated the Planning Commission concluded that staff's proposal for the R-1 district is adequate, however,there was a question in regard to the R-2 District, and what would be appropriate for twin homes. Planning Associate Ericson provided the Commission with a supplemental memorandum which indicated the driveway widths and curb cuts utilized on the recently constructed twin homes located on Knollwood Drive and Silver Lake Road, all of which are wider than currently allowed. He explained these twin homes all have 40-foot wide driveways, with the exception of one, which has an eighteen-foot wide driveway for each unit, separated by a very large tree. He indicated there is a four-foot spacing between the driveways, toward the garages, and there is no separation between the driveways as they approach the street. - . - - requirement for spacing between the driveways was even necessary. He pointed out that in the R-1 District, the driveway setback is one foot from the property line, which results in two feet between driveways, in some instances. He advised that the Code currently requires a 40-foot separation between driveways, for two side by side single family dwellings. He indicated the Commission felt this was restrictive, in that the garages are now generally constructed side by side, as opposed to either end, as is the case with the older twin homes. Planning Associate Ericson stated through this research, staff is of the opinion that the separation between the driveways in the R-2 district is not necessary, however, 40-foot driveways, although they do exist, appear to be excessive. He explained that narrowing the driveway width to 32 feet, in staff's opinion, would not create any hardship or problems in terms of entering or exiting these properties. •