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CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PLANNING REPORT
CASE NUMBER: 2011-0102
DATE: January 4, 2011
TO: Columbia Heights Planning Commission
APPLICANT: City of Columbia Heights
LOCATION: City Wide
REQUEST: Zoning Amendment Pertaining to Driveways
PREPARED BY: Jeff Sargent, City Planner
BACKGROUND
At this time, City Staff is proposing an ordinance change that would effect the setback and
location requirements for residential driveways. After reviewing the Zoning Code, staff
feels that the current language pertaining to setbacks should be amended to better reflect
today’s housing standards and uses of residential properties.
As part of this process, staff will also look into the possibility of requiring a building permit
for the construction or reconstruction of future driveways. The justification is to enable
staff to determine whether the placement of driveways on residential properties meets the
minimum setback requirements, as well as allowing staff to better monitor the impervious
surface area calculations for those properties located in the Shoreland Overlay Districts.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan is to preserve and reinvest in the housing
stock to protect values and investment in the city. The proposed ordinance amendment
would allow residents to have greater flexibility in the placement of driveways on their lots,
which would give opportunity to reinvest in their homes.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The proposed amendments made to the Zoning Ordinance would include language
regarding the setbacks and locations of residential driveways within the city. The
proposed changes include:
City of Columbia Heights Planning Commission January 4, 2011
City of Columbia Heights, Driveways Case # 2011-0102
1. Residential lots platted prior to the effective date of this Code and having a lot
width of sixty (60) feet or less, shall maintain a minimum side yard setback of
one (1) foot in all districts.
2. Residential lots platted after the effective date of this Code or having a lot width
greater than sixty (60) feet shall maintain a minimum side yard setback of three
(3) feet in all districts.
3. The creation of a joint driveway use between neighboring property owners shall
require a Conditional Use Permit.
4. Driveways may only lead directly to, or be contiguous to driveways leading to,
an attached or detached garage.
5. In all zoning districts, driveways shall be no less than twelve (12) feet in width.
FINDINGS OF FACT
Section 9.104 (F) of the Columbia Heights zoning code requires that the City Council make
each of the following four findings before approving a zoning amendment:
1. The amendment is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan is to preserve and reinvest in the
housing stock to protect values and investment in the city. The proposed ordinance
amendment would allow residents to have greater flexibility in the placement of
driveways on their lots, which would give opportunity to reinvest in their homes.
2. The amendment is in the public interest and is not solely for the benefit of a
single property owner.
The proposed amendment would be effective for all residential properties within the
city.
3. Where the amendment is to change the zoning classification of a particular
property, the existing use of the property and the zoning classification of
property within the general area of the property in question are compatible with
the proposed zoning classification.
Not applicable.
4. Where the amendment is to change the zoning classification of a particular
property, there has been a change in the character or trend of development in
the general area of the property in question, which has taken place since such
property was placed in the current zoning classification.
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City of Columbia Heights Planning Commission January 4, 2011
City of Columbia Heights, Driveways Case # 2011-0102
Not applicable.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the proposed Zoning Amendment.
Motion:
That the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the
proposed zoning amendment.
Attachments
Draft zoning ordinance
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