AgdaPkt 2003-06-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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g, A -44 The key provisions of the amendments include the following: • "Arbor" (detached from other structures) and "Trellis" (attached to another structure) are defined, requiring such structures to be a minimum of 60% "open" on all sides and the roof, if there is one. • Maximum heights of 14 feat in interior side or rear yards (or 3 feet into front yards) and 9 feet in a street side yard are prescribed. Height is also limited to no more than three times the setback distance to minimize visibility to neighbors and from adjacent streets, e.g., to be 14 feet high, the structure would need to be setback 4.67 feet from the property line. • Maximum encroachments into setbacks are outlined, not to exceed 3 feet into front yards, and no less than 6 feet from street side property lines and 3 feet from side or rear yard property lines. • Exception is provided for arbors in front or side setbacks, where they are incorporated into fencing or gates, if limited to a maximum of 9 feet in height, 8 feet in width, and 3 feet in depth. • The length of these structures is limited to not more than 30% of the length of each property line, and coverage is limited to not more than 5% of the lot size (which would not count against other coverage limits). Staff believes that these modifications will address the vast majority of instances where residential owners wish to construct these landscape amenities, and that the standards outlined would also accommodate most of those structures currently in place in the community. The amendments would allow for staff approval in conjunction with building permit submittals, along with sufficient height and setback protections for neighbors. The definitions and standards are broad enough to include flexibility for other types of structures, but would not generally accommodate arches over driveway entrances, which would likely create a significant visual impact. 2. Residential Heiaht Measurement The second group of amendments provides for modifications to current provisions for measuring the height of single - family residences. Staff currently experiences conflicts with height limitations when "understory" areas are to be built out, even where it would improve the structure's appearance from off -site. There is also a need to clarify the definitions of "story" and "half story" relative to height measurements, to assure that the current two and one -half story height limit is maintained. In the review of these provisions, it also became clear that the City's practice of measuring height is not consistent with the "height" definition in the Code, and that on steeper lots (over 10% slope), topographic surveys would be helpful to assure that height provisions are met. Finally, due to the larger residences being built today, staff believes it would be useful to lower the maximum height of these residences to minimize their bulk and visibility. a