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Minutes for the MAPC meeting on July 25, 2006.
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Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Minutes, July 25, 2006
Commissioners absent: Moore, Collins
Staff present: Spriggs, White
1. RZ-06-07 Text Amendments. The request for Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments will include modifications to Section 14.20 Residential and Commercial Districts, R-1 - R-6 Districts and C-1 - C-5 Districts.
Staff presented a power-point presentation on the latest Text Amendment suggestions. Mr. George Hamman presented an example that he found used in another city which established residential districts with the RS1 -8 for single family and RM4-16 for multi-family districts.
Mr. Krennerich stated that the side yard setbacks should be increased and vary from the larger lots and graduate on down in the residential areas. Staff suggested 10 ft. on average on the residential side yard setbacks. It was proposed a range from 25 ft. to 7.5 ft. The front yards are fine as-is.
The commission concurred with having lots at 5,445 sq.ft. in area to allow for zero lot line situations. The R-8 designation was retained. Mr. Hamman explained that it will allow flexibility. Mr. Krennerich explained that because the price of land is going up that we have to accommodate smaller lots and smaller houses for people that cannot afford bigger homes (retirees, entry level families, elderly, etc.).
Accessory structures were discussed. Larger lots were discussed and the commission concurred that guest houses and pool homes should be permissible. Mr. Krennerich stated that 5,000 or 6,000 s.f. houses should be allowed to have accessory dwellings for as large as 50% of the main building. Mr. Hamman stated that is written with that language.
Staff stated that if they are permitted that there is no monitoring mechanisms and the Commission should decide whether they want to review them. Dr. Beadles stated that staff can bring the questionable ones before the commission. Marvin Day suggested 25% of the main dwelling is acceptable but any can be referred to the MAPC at the Administrator’s discretion. You have a guideline to go by, but authority is given to the City Planner to make the decision. Mr. Spriggs gave a current example on Springhollow Dr.
Mr. Krennerich stated that 25 % of the dwelling unit up to 1500 sq. ft. if it exceeds 1500 s.f. then it has to go the MAPC. (RS-1 & RS-2). RS-3 & below have to be conditional use.
Accessory storage structures were discussed. (5 car garages for car collections with bedroom above, for example). Anything over a certain size should be a conditional use. Mr. Krennerich stated that it should be 1200 s.f. for building that is not a dwelling unit for RS-1 and RS-2; RS-3- RS-5 not to exceed 600 s.f., RS-6 to RS-8 limited by lot coverages. Current maximum lot coverage limits will be utilized.
In home occupation was discussed by the Commission. Staff stated that the current code works fine and no changes are needed. Mr. Krennerich suggested that the language concerning home occupation be changed from “owner” to approval being issued to the “occupant” at the owner’s permission.
Multi-family districts were discussed and the Commission was ok with the RM-4 thru RM-16 districts. The commission concurred that densities exceeding 16 units per acre should be eliminated. Mr. Roberts stated that we can leave the RM-16 just as an option. Mr. Krennerich questioned the idea of a multi-story/multi-family 5 or 6 stories on a small lot in a nice area. A P.U.D.- Planned Unit Developed process would be appropriate. Multi- Mix-use developments would be fitting in P.U.D.’s as well.
Mr. Carroll Caldwell stated that the 3-acre minimum under a P.U.D. has to be changed. Mr. Hamman commented on high-rise developments. Staff commented on the 30 ft. easement setback requirement may propose a hardship.
Mr. Day stated that he feels that the Commission may want to discuss and change some of the existing districts that we currently have in terms of use and densities. The commission discussed the current R-6 District. It was stated that it should be eliminated. The R-6 districts that were approved became Limited-Use Districts.
The commission discussed the setback tables and with a range from 7.5 ft. to 15 ft. increase.
The commission discussed the commercial districts- residential to commercial in C-5. Mr. Krennerich commented on the 5,000 s.f. limitation and stated that it should be limited to a lot size percentage coverage. The commission agreed on building size not to exceed 20% of the total lot area. The maximum lot coverages are ok as-is.
C-5 Commercial has been revised to be “CR-1” to allow residential attached units above commercial and serve as a transitional district. This will be the only commercial district allowing residential except for C-1 which allows loft apartments. Otherwise future request should be conditional use or P.U.D. Industrial accessory dwelling should be allowed under a conditional use and should remain as currently in the code.
The Commission agreed that the P.U.D. should be discussed at a separate work session. Mr. Carroll Caldwell commented on the current ordinance.
Meeting is adjourned by Dr. Beadles.