Several development regulation changes—designed to further strengthen the city’s efforts to provide a safer and a more visually appealing community—have been approved by City Council. Additional regulations will be considered by council over the next few months.
The following ordinance amendments have been approved.
Alcohol Regulations
Private schools have been added to the list of protected uses, which includes churches, public schools, and hospitals, requiring a 300-foot separation from establishments selling alcoholic beverages. The guidelines also provide increased protection for public and private schools by changing the method of measuring the 300-foot distance from “front door to front door” to “property line to property line.” New alcohol distance regulations also provide (1) an exception to the 300-foot distance requirement between multifamily uses and restaurants that sell alcohol in transit-oriented development or transit mall overlay districts; and (2) a procedural mechanism to allow City Council to consider reduced separation between establishments that sell alcoholic
beverages and protected uses in the Heritage Crossing area on a case-by-case basis.
Carports
To preserve neighborhoods, protect property values and prevent illegal construction of carports, revised carport amendments have been approved. The new guidelines prohibit residential carports visible from a street, regardless of setback. Zoning requests for carports must provide detailed plans showing architectural compatibility with the residential structure. In addition, current minimal standards are repealed along with the reduced application fee. All new single-family homes must provide a two-car garage.
Commercial Building Standards
The adopted ordinance establishes regionally comparable design standards for commercial buildings, which includes requirements such as:
- 80 percent masonry with a combination of materials required based on building size.
- Finished façades on all four sides.
- Primary entry feature.
- No blank walls facing public street.
- Design requirements for roofs.
- Exception if façade not visible from public street, park or residential property.
- No metal buildings.
The revised regulations apply to new construction and existing buildings being remodeled or repaired (51 percent of value) or expanded (30 percent of floor area).
Additional ordinance changes being developed by city staff, and will be considered by City Council, address the following:
- Convenience Store Standards
- Commercial Containers
- Landscaping
- Signs
- Undergrounding of Utilities