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Item No: ___6A Meeting Date: August 2, 2017 Type of Business: Other Planning Activity City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Mounds View Planning Commission From: Jon Sevald, Planner Item Title/Subject: Discussion of amending Zoning Code to decrease the front yard setback for covered porches Discussion Within the R-1 Single-Family Residential zoning district, the minimum front yard setback is 30’ for a house, including covered porches. An exception is if all of the homes on the same side of the block have a greater setback (e.g. 50’+), then the minimum setback shall be equal to the home with the least setback (e.g. 50’). The minimum front yard setback for a patio or deck is 2’. Recently, a resident has asked to build a covered porch onto the front of their house. The house is setback 30’, as are adjacent homes. The requested porch is not allowed. The resident has an option of applying for a Variance if there is a practical difficulty unique to this property. Another option is to consider amending the Zoning Code to decrease the setback for a covered (open) porch. In recent years, the City has granted two variances to allow a decreased setback for a front porch. One was less than 30’ and one greater than 30’ from the front property line. If there are frequently similar variance requests, this is an indication that an ordinance amendment should be considered. This was the case with amending the Zoning Code to allow a 6’ fence within the side/front yard of corner lots. It is Staff’s opinion that front porches are an amenity not only to the residents, but to the neighborhood because they invite interaction between porch sitters and neighbors walking by. Additionally, front porches serve as a shelter, and as a visual element of the home’s façade. However, consideration must be given as to the maximum size of a front porch, and the intention of the minimum front yard setback as a buffer between public space (sidewalk/street) and private space (porch/house). If an ordinance amendment is to be considered reducing the front yard setback, the question is by how much?