HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated March 27, 2001 U
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DATE 03/27/01
oq �. �' COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE THREE
TECHNICAL AMENDMENT'S TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE.
BACKGROUND:
After administering the Zoning Ordinance for several months, staff has found the need for
additional modifications and additions to the ordinance text. As a result, staff has
proposed three technical amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that are attached to this
Action Form.
The first amendment is a change to the screening requirements for mechanical equipment.
This change is needed beca-use the screening requirements in the Zoning Ordinance are
excessive. Currently a six-foot high, opaque fence or a solid hedge is required to screen
such equipment. Since this equipment is often much lower than six feet in height, and
since it often needs air circulation to function properly, staff is suggesting that the
screening requirements be lessened. Screen ng is still required, however, it is not as
extensive as previously required. Refer to Se . 29.408(4) on the attachment.
The second proposed amendment is a change in the use category for the "HOC" Highway-
Oriented Commercial zoning district. Parks and Open Space is currently not a permitted
use in that zone. Among the uses included under the Parks and Open Space category are
private and public golf courses. These uses have commercial aspects to them and in
appropriate locations would be compatible in the "HOC" zone. Therefore, staff is
suggesting that such uses be allowed with a Special Use Permit approved by the Zoning
Board of Adjustment. The standards for approval of a Special Use Permit in a commercial
zoning district will provide a means to evaluate the benefit of a proposed parks and open
space use'in relation to the loss of commercial land in a specific location. Refer to Table
29.804(2) o0he attachment.
The third technical amendment to the Zoning Ordinance is a new section in the Zoning
Ordinance to provide for Temporary Use Permits for temporary uses. Examples of
temporary uses are temporary garden centers, Christmas tree sales, produce and seafood
sales, tent sales of retail goods, sale of seasonal food items, et cetera. Currently these
temporary uses are not addressed in the Zoning Ordinance. Staff has observed that the
number of temporary uses has been increasing for the past number of years, and they
have been causing some problems. Therefore, staff is proposing a mechanism for
evaluating these uses for an appropriate location on the site, the impact on traffic
circulation and parking, the safety of pedestrians, and the effect on adjacent property and
adjacent streets.
The business owner would have to submit an application for approval of a temporary use
to the Department of Planning and Housing prior to commencing the operation of the
temporary business. The application would be evaluated by staff for compliance with the
applicable regulations in the Zoning Ordinance and the specific criteria applied to
temporary uses. Then a decision would be made, and if the proposed temporary use was
in compliance with the requirements, a Temporary Use Permit would be issued. The text
of the proposed ordinance amendment for a Temporary Use Permit is attached for your
information.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve the three technical amendments that are being
proposed by staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission as part of a further
adjustment to the Zoning Ordinance.
2. The City Council can deny the proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance.
3. The City Council can approve some of the proposed changes to the Zoning
Ordinance.
4. The City Council can refer some or all of these proposed changes back to staff for
additional information.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that Alternative #1 be adopted. This action
is approval of the proposed technical amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, as outlined
in the Action Form. These clarifications and additions to the Zoning Ordinance are needed
adjustments after several months of experience at administering these regulations.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Attachment