In December 1999, the City Council initiated a study regarding large home construction. This study issue arose from concerns that residents were building homes that were not in character with the surrounding neighborhood. Staff has conducted research, public outreach and analysis to assess new regulations or tools to address issues relating to new second stories and large homes and their effect on expectations of property development. This sheet is a brief summary of both the staff recommendation and the Planning Commission recommendation. The following information does not reflect the final decision of the City Council, which will be made at the public hearing on November 14, 2000.
More detailed information is available in the full staff report.
The current code allows new second stories to be built over existing first story walls, regardless of whether this meets the current second story setback requirement. This change would eliminate that exception, requiring all new two-stories to meet the additional setback requirements. This tool may make building some 2 nd stories structurally more complicated and therefore more expensive. Require a 25 ft. Front Yard Setback for the Second Story.