HomeMy WebLinkAbout10D - Rear Yard Setbacks
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
NOVEMBER 4, 2002
10D
JANE KANSIER, PLANNING COORDINATOR
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING
AN AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
1102.1105, WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE THE REQUIRED
REAR YARD SETBACK IN THE C-3 DISTRICT (Case File #02-
114)
History: The purpose of this agenda item is to consider an amendment
to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the required rear yard setback in
the C-3 (Specialty Business) district.
The purpose of the "C-3" Specialty Business Use District is "to
provide for a variety of commercial and residential uses within the
framework of a traditional downtown area. The district a/so
contemplates and provides for pedestrian circulation, urban and civic
design and the creative reuse of existing buildings. "
Setbacks in the C-3 district are somewhat unique in that the ordinance
defines both a minimum and a maximum setback in many cases. The
ordinance also identifies a "build-to line" along Main Avenue. The
table below identifies the required setbacks:
Minimum Lot Width . 30 feet
Front yard - Minimum Setback None
- Maximum Setback 10 feet measured from the right-of-
way
Side Yard - Minimum Setback None
- Maximum Setback 10 feet unless parking is located
within the side yard.
Rear Yard - Minimum 10 feet
Maximum Floor Area Ratio 3.0 .
Minimum Floor Area Ratio 0.5
Build-To Line Along Main Avenue a build-to line is
established a distance of 5 feet from
the inner edge of the street right-of-
way (in most cases, this is the inner
edge of the sidewalk). At least 70%
of the building fac;ade that fronts
Main A venue must be built out to
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16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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I this line.
The purpose of the minimum and maximum setbacks and the build-to
line is to fully utilize the lot area within the downtown district and to
create a pedestrian-friendly streetscape. This is best accomplished by
building as close to the street frontage as possible. Parking and
landscaping requirements are not applicable in the C-3 district.
As shown in the table, only the rear yard has a minimum setback
requirement (10'). The front and side yard requirements have no
minimum setback, and in fact, have a maximum 10' setback. In the
past several months, the Planning Commission approved a variance to
the minimum rear yard setback requirement for the Carlson Hardware
building. The Lakefront Plaza building also hopes to locate a deck
along the north side of the commercial portion of the building,
overlooking Lakefront Park. This deck would be located less than 10'
from the rear lot line.
Current Circumstances: The Planning Commission considered this
amendment at a public hearing on October 28, 2002. The Planning
Commission recommended approval of the proposed amendment. The
attached draft ordinance outlines the proposed amendment.
The Issues: The City Council must make a decision whether to amend
the ordinance based on the following criteria:
. Thefe is a public need for the amendment.
The required rear yard setback in the C-3 district is a policy issue.
The Building Code provisions for construction of a building with
no setbacks will protect the public safety interests, so the required
setback serves more of an aesthetic purpose. It seems reasonable
to eliminate this setback so all of the area of the relatively small
lots within the downtown district is usable.
. The amendment will accomplish one Of more of the purposes
of the Zoning Ordinance, the Comprehensive Plan or other
adopted plans or policies of the City.
One of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan is "Economic
Vitality." The objectives and policies related to this goal include,
among others, to "establish a theme for positive identification for
redevelopment of existing commercial areas in focal locations
including...Downtown..." and to "encourage, regulate, and
promote non-polluting and aesthetically pleasing commercial and
industrial development." The proposed amendment is consistent
with this goal.
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ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
REVIEWED BY:
The proposed amendment is also consistent with the goal of the
2020 Vision and Strategic Plan for the redevelopment of the
Downtown area.
. The adoption of the amendment is consistent with State and/or
federal requirements.
This amendment is not inconsistent with any State or Federal
regulations.
Conclusion: Based on the above findings, both the Planning
Commission and the staff recommend approval of this amendment.
The City Council has three alternatives:
1. Adopt an Ordinance approving the proposed amendment as
recommended.
2. Deny the proposed Ordinance.
3. Defer this item and provide staff with specific direction.
The staffrecomme s Alternative #1. A motion and second to adopt
Ordinance 02- XX pproving the amendment as recommended by the
PI . ng mi ion.
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CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
ORDINANCE NO. 02- ~1
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 1102.1105 OF THE PRIOR LAKE
CITY CODE
The City Council of the City of Prior Lake does hereby ordain that:
1. Section 1102.1105 of the Prior Lake City Code is hereby amended as follows:
1102.1105
Dimensional Standards. These are the lot requirements for lots in the C-3
District.
Minimum Lot Width 30 feet
Front yard - Minimum Setback None
- Maximum Setback 10 feet measured from the right-of-way
Side Yard - Minimum Setback None
- Maximum Setback 10 feet unless parking is located within
the side yard.
Rear Yard - Minimum ~None
Maximum Floor Area Ratio 3.0
Minimum Floor Area Ratio 0.5
Build-To Line Along Main A venue a build-to line is
established a distance of 5 feet from the
inner edge of the street right-of-way (in
most cases, this is the inner edge of the
sidewalk). At least 70% of the building
fayade that fronts Main A venue must be
built out to this line.
Maximum Height 35 feet or three stories, whichever is
greater. Multiple use structures with
residential uses on the upper floors may
be a maximum of 4S feet.
This ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and publication.
Passed by the City Council ofthe City of Prior Lake this 4th day of November, 2002.
ATTEST:
City Manager
Mayor
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16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
r
Published in the Prior Lake American on the 9th day of November, 2002.
Drafted By:
City of Prior Lake Planning Department
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue
Prior Lake, MN 55372
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