HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 - Secondary StructuresMEMO TO: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
FROM: ERICA MAROHNIC, PLANNING SERVICES DIRECTOR
MEETING DATE: JUNE 3, 2025
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS
SECTIONS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE RELATED TO
SECONDARY STRUCTURES, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR SIZE,
LOCATION, AND HEIGHT
BACKGROUND:
The Planning and Zoning Commission acknowledges the importance of secondary
structures in enhancing residential property use by providing amenities such as garages,
workshops, storage, and recreational spaces. However, our current zoning ordinance
permits secondary structures to occupy up to 60% of the required rear yard, which has led
to some unintended consequences.
In many instances, this provision has resulted in oversized detached garages, workshops,
home gyms, and storage buildings that are comparable in size, massing, and scale to, or
even larger than, the primary structure on a single-family lot. This was never the intended
purpose of the ordinance. The original regulation aimed to allow modest, subordinate
secondary structures that support residential uses without compromising neighborhood
character.
The increase in large secondary structures has created significant massing impacts,
reduced privacy, overshadowed neighboring properties, and resulted in incompatibility with
the established residential environment. These conditions disrupt the consistency and
quality of life within single-family neighborhoods and threaten community cohesion.
To address these issues, the Commission proposes to amend the zoning ordinance by
limiting the allowable size of secondary structures in proportion to the primary dwelling and
the lot area. Additionally, they propose to reduce the percentage of the rear yard that can
be occupied by these structures and impose clear height and graduated placement
restrictions. These adjustments will ensure that secondary uses remain appropriately scaled
and subordinate in character, thus protecting the residential integrity of neighborhoods.
The Commission is dedicated to preserving neighborhood livability while respecting property
owners' rights to reasonable secondary uses. Thoughtful updates to the ordinance will strike
a balance and maintain the residential character that residents value.
AM 24-05.4
Current Regulations:
` 45'-0"
S ,9'57'45" E
- 1
60.00' T
"ems! NEW r
METAL BUILDING F
o � f
1 r
I
—4 moo,- " I
,
L
N
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N
o l
Z 12•-2Z" L
t
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- �EXISTING
RESIDENCE �
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UCT� I
I I
IY W 9'32'00" W 60.0
UINC; ()RnINANI :F
3
MPERV OUS COVERAGE
EXIST BUILDING
= 1064 SF
fn
METAL BUILDING
= 2250 SF
fn
N
DRIVEWAY
= 264C SF
S
TOTAL
= 5954 SF
TOTAL LOT SIZE
_ '0771 S=
;MP. COVER
= 55.3%
AM 24-05.4 2
6' EL11LDING Li
r------------
NZUPOS F.1} 1;
3—CAR COVERED
(,A R A G 10. PARKING
............ [It
DROP
OFF CE/RDR- i
2'
z
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W DRIVEWAY
. . . ............ . . .
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NEW: DRIVEWAY
, um I N "
all
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STj.N.0
54 L
II
Em.13TING 1 ISTORY
EXISTING
If 0 UISE
.3(1' R11H.DiNG UNE
EXISTING
-- -------- ----------
1 0' UTILITY EASMENT
KIMBAJ..r. ROAT�
5QUARE fOOTAGE TA15Lf
FRAME SQUARE FODTAGI 5f,
GARAGE 13 93-500
COVERED PAWING I.G00
off Nct,50plb/ 537.7GO
TOTAL FRAM If V NO rK ROOF 1 25 12 -8G0
3
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City Council Presentation
June 2, 2025
ISSUES:
The City's current zoning regulations for residential properties permit homeowners to build
attached or detached secondary structures, such as garages, workshops, and home gyms,
that can occupy up to 60% of their rear yard. While these regulations are designed to provide
flexibility for property owners, recent development activities have raised concerns regarding
the size, scale, and visual impact of these structures within established residential
neighborhoods.
Two recent examples, one on West Texas Street and another on Lakeview Drive near West
Kimball Road, have resulted in the construction of significant secondary buildings that
alarmed adjacent neighbors, nearby residents, and members of the Planning and Zoning
Commission. These cases highlighted some unintended consequences of the current
regulations, including effects on neighborhood character, privacy, and overall compatibility.
In response to these concerns, the Planning and Zoning Commission has initiated a review
of the City's secondary structure regulations. The primary objective of this review is to
evaluate and refine standards related to:
Summary of Proposed Draft Ordinance Changes:
Limit to the Number of Secondary Structures
a. A maximum of two (2) secondary structures will be allowed per residential
lot, in addition to the primary dwelling unit.
b. This limitation helps manage site coverage, prevents excessive massing,
and maintains the character of the neighborhood.
2. Clarification of Placement and Setbacks
a. Appropriate locations for secondary structures will be clearly identified,
typically in the rear yard unless otherwise permitted by code.
b. Minimum setbacks will increase as the height of the structure rises,
ensuring that taller secondary structures are situated farther from side and
rear property lines.
c. This measure mitigates visual and privacy impacts on adjacent properties
and protects the character and scale of surrounding single-family
neighborhoods.
3. New Definition for Secondary Structure Height
a. A new definition for the height of secondary structures will be created,
separate from the existing definition for primary structures in Section 12 of
the zoning ordinance.
b. This definition is based on the maximum height measured to the tallest
point of the point, regardless of roof pitch or type.
c. This tailored definition addresses the unique impacts that secondary
structures have on surrounding properties, given their proximity to property
lines and their locations within required rear yards.
AM 24-05.4 4
City Council Presentation
June 2, 2025
This in-depth review was conducted through a series of six workshops. During these
sessions, members examined current regulations, compared community standards, and
collected public input.
The proposed amendments resulting from this process are designed to enhance the balance
between homeowner flexibility and neighborhood compatibility. They aim to ensure that
secondary structures suitably complement the scale and character of residential areas.
5
Proposed Regulations:
Secondary Structure Buildable Area
1121'-l"
17
17'
1,500 sq.ft.
Secondary
Structure
12 ft. tall \
4,000 sq.ft.
Primary
Dwelling
12Q'-Q°
2
3
a
J
City Council Presentation
June 2, 2025
Lot Lines
Secondary Structure
Buildable Area
..........................
Primary Structure
Buildable Area ;
-------------------------
Setback and Height
Comparison
15,
2�
19'
Required side yard setback
Secondary Structure
Peak
helght