HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Council Action Form dated October 14, 2008 ITEM # 58e
DATE 10/14/08
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE RESIDENTIAL LAND
USE ALLOCATION FOR ROW HOUSES IN THE VILLAGE
RESIDENTIAL FLOATING ZONE
BACKGROUND:
"Row Houses" in Somerset village, which are single-family attached dwellings,
represent one of several residential land use types in Somerset. According to zoning
regulations for a Village Residential Floating Zone [Table 29.1201(6), each residential
land use type is to represent not less than five percent (5%) of the total number of
dwelling units in the village. To date, nine (9) row houses have been constructed and
twelve (12) more are shown on the approved Somerset plan, located along the south
side of Bristol Drive, between the existing row houses and the alley west of Kent
Avenue (Lots 52 through 63 in Somerset Subdivision Second Addition). This would
result in a total of twenty-one (21) row house units for Somerset. Twenty-one (21) units
represent two percent (2%) of the total number of dwelling units planned for Somerset.
This does not meet the minimum requirement of five percent (5%).
The owner of the twelve (12) remaining row house lots in Somerset has requested that
the City Council approve a revised Major Site Development Plan/Preliminary Plat for
Somerset that would allow the construction of "Village Houses", which are single-family
detached dwellings, on these twelve (12) lots. This would further reduce the number of
row houses in Somerset as a residential land use type from two percent (2%) to one
percent (1%) of the total number of dwelling units in Somerset.
To reduce the land use allocation for "Row Houses" in a Village residential project from
the current requirement of not less than five percent (5%) of all dwelling units in the
village development, the following zoning ordinance text amendment is proposed by
City staff:
Table 29.1201(6)
Village Residential Floating Zone (F-VR) Supplemental Development Standards
SUPPLEMENTAL F-VR ZONE
DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS
Residential Land Use Village residential projects shall contain a minimum of five (5)
Allocation residential use types selected from the residential use types listed
in Table 29.1201(5) Permitted Land Use Types Village
Residential Projects.
Each residential use type shall contain a sufficient number of
dwelling units to represent not less than 5% of all dwelling units
in the village residential project.
Add the following text:
"Row Houses" in combination with "Side-Yard Houses" is
considered to be one land use type for the purpose of
calculating the required minimum residential land use
allocation of not less than 5% of all dwelling units in the
village residential project.
Although the Row Houses that have been constructed in Somerset have brick exteriors,
there is no requirement for brick. Row Houses and Side-Yard Houses follow very
similar, and in many respects, the exact design requirements for village developments.
Architectural standards are the same for both types of attached single-family housing.
This includes such architectural elements as building style, massing, materials and form
for exterior walls, building trim, roofs, windows, doors, front porches, balconies and
chimneys.
Row Houses are to be constructed on lots that are between 24 and 26 feet wide. Side-
Yard Houses have lot widths between 24 and 48 feet wide. The height of Row Houses
is to be a minimum of two stories and a maximum of three. Side-Yard Houses may be
either one or two stories in height. Both housing types are to be constructed on lots
with access from an alley.
Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. At its meeting of
October 1, 2008, with a vote of 6-0, the Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended approval of the zoning text amendment by adding the text described in
this report to the Residential Land Use Allocation section of Table 29.1201(6) of the
Municipal Code.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can adopt the zoning text amendment by adding the text described
in this report to the Residential Land Use Allocation section of Table 29.1201(6) of
the Municipal Code.
2. The City Council can adopt the proposed zoning text amendment, with
modifications.
3. The City Council can deny the proposed zoning text amendment.
4. The City Council can refer this issue back to staff for further information.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The proposed amendment would combine both types of single-family attached
dwellings (Row Houses and Side-Yard Houses) into a single land use type for the
purpose of calculating the required minimum residential land use allocation of not less
than 5% of all dwelling units in the village residential project. City staff believes this
appropriate since Row Houses and Side-Yard Houses have similar zoning standards.
City staff will have photos of Row Houses and Side-Yard Houses available at the City
Council meeting on October 14, to illustrate the similarities and differences of attached
single-family dwellings that have been constructed in Somerset.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt the
proposed zoning text amendment by adding the text described in this report to the
Residential Land Use Allocation section of Table 29.1201(6) of the Municipal Code.
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