08-25-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Zoning File #2268 July 14,1997 Page 2 The intent of the back lot ordinance and its more strict standards, is primarily to decrease the impact on the "front lot". When the Planning Commission reviewed the use of back lots in 1994, it concluded that a standard back lot situation would typically place a driveway directly adjacent to the side yard of the front lot, and the front yard of the back lot directly adjacent to the rear yard of the front lot. Planning Commission concluded that such adjacencies are not always compatible, and can be mitigated by requiring greater setbacks. Arguably, that ordinance did not contemplate the somewhat unique back lot situation encountered on Deer Run Trail. In this case, the applicant ’s defined front yard is adjacent to the front lots side yard. However, applicant proposes to orient his house with the functional fron; yard to the north, similar to other homes on the south side of Deer Run Trail. Hardship Factors which might be consider in support of the variance request include the following: 1. Applicant proposes to orient his home the same direction as the adjacent homes to the east, hence it would be appropriate to consider the east lot line as a side lot line, 2. Due to orientation of the adjacent residence to the east and the orientation of the proposed house, the lot line in question will function as a side lot line for both the front lot and back lot. Therefore, there is a diminished need for the expanded setback as defined in the code, since the expanded setback requirement was intended in part to mitigate adjacency of dissimilar yards. 3. The lot meets all other required back lot standards. 4. Granting of the variance will avoid the need to excavate into the knoll on the west side of the property. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of a reduction ot the defined front setback from 75’ to 45' as proposed, conditioned on applicant orienting the proposed residence with the front facing northerly and the side facing easterly, to match other homes on the south side of Deer Run Trail. Options for Action 1 . Recommend approval per staff recommendation. 2. Recommend approval with other conditions. 3. Table for further infoimation (specify). 4. Recommend denial (state reasons). 5. Other. ch