Subject:
Title
Public Hearing on Consideration of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments for Sections 18-15 and 18-168, Related to Lot Coverage and Porch Projections into the Front Yard
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
The Mayor and Town Council directed Department of Planning and Zoning staff to engage the community this fall on potential updates to the zoning code for lot coverage and front porch projection provisions separate from the process to update the Town’s zoning and subdivision ordinances (CODE CREATE Vienna).
Currently, Sec. 18-15.F. of the zoning code states that not more than 25% of a lot shall be covered by a house, accessory structure, driveway and parking areas, sport courts, patios, and terraces. Open decks without a roof are allowed for an additional 5% of the total area of a lot. Elements that are currently exempt from lot coverage include any walkway less than 5 feet wide, steps, chimneys, cantilevered features, areaways, window wells, and pools.
Based on Council direction, Staff developed an opinion poll with three options for lot coverage. Option 1 retains existing lot coverage and deck coverage definitions. Total coverage currently allowed is 30%. Option 2 retains existing lot coverage and deck coverage definitions with a new outdoor living space provision allowing up to 5% of additional outdoor living space. Total coverage proposed is 35%. Option 3 replaces existing lot coverage and deck coverage definitions with new definitions for building coverage and outdoor living/non-building improvements coverage. Total coverage proposed is up to 35%.
At the September 27, 2021 conference session, following the regular meeting, Town Council discussed feedback received on the opinion poll as well as public comments made at the meeting and proposed two additional options, described below.
Option 4 is similar to Option 3 with the main difference being that covered and uncovered decks are included in the "building coverage" category. Total coverage proposed is up to 35%. Option 5 is similar to Option 1, except that covered decks and porches would be permitted in the 5% currently only allowed for uncovered decks. Total coverage proposed is 30%.
Per Sec. 18-168 of the zoning code, porches are not permitted to encroach into the front yard. The draft code amendment would allow single-story unenclosed porches to encroach 8-feet into the front yard setback area.
At the October 11, 2021 meeting, Town Council set a public hearing on the lot coverage and front porch projection text amendments for December 6, 2021, and referred the matter to the Planning Commission for consideration.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 10, 2021, which they continued to the December 8, 2021 meeting. The Planning Commission closed the public hearing at the December 8, 2021 meeting. They made two separate motions after closing the public hearing. They made one recommendation to adopt the porch encroachment, as presented. They made another recommendation regarding lot coverage to adopt the option presented as Option 5B.
The following attachments are included with this item:
Attachment 1. Proposed Lot Coverage and Porch Projection Text Amendments - proposed language for allowing porch encroachments and proposed language for six options for amending lot coverage
Attachments 2-4. Opinion Poll Comments for Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3
Attachment 5. Lot Coverage Options Opinion Poll Update - Presentation from October 8, 2021 on results from the Lot Coverage Opinion Poll given on Options 1, 2, and 3
Attachment 6. Regulatory Requirements to Amend Lot Coverage and Porch Projection Provisions - Regulatory requirements for amending zoning ordinance
Attachment 7. PowerPoint Presentation - Presentation to be given to Town Council by Staff at January 3, 2022 public hearing
Attachment 8. Planning Commission Chair Memo - Memo from the Planning Commission Chair on the recommendation to Town Council to allow front porch projections and amend lot coverage requirements
Strategic Plan Initiative: Vienna as an influential and well-governed community
Board or Commission of Interest: Planning Commission
Departmental Recommendation: The Town Council may, at its discretion, move to adopt the text amendments as presented or may choose to modify the language after holding a public hearing.
Finance Recommendation: N/A
Purchasing Recommendation: N/A
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town Council may conduct a public hearing and consider the report and recommendations of the Planning Commission regarding possible amendments to Town Code Sections 18-15 and 18-168 related to Lot Coverage and Porch Projections into the front yard. After consideration of the Planning Commissions recommendations and input from the Public Hearing, the Town Council may adopt amendments to the Town Zoning Code sections in its discretion.
Town Manager's Recommendation: The Town Manager recommends Town Council conduct a public hearing and consider the report and recommendations of the Planning Commission. After consideration of the Town Council may adopt amendments to the Town Zoning Code sections in its discretion.
Cost and Financing:
Account Number:
Decision Needed by This date: N/A
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to close the public hearing."
And
“I move to adopt the proposed text amendments to Sections 18-15, 18-168 and 18-169 related to lot coverage, as provided in option ____, and porch projections into the front yard, as presented after finding the amendments further good zoning practices."
And
“I further move to direct the Town Clerk to advertise a Notice of Adoption.”
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.