Subject:
Title
Town Council Conference Session on proposed zoning ordinance text amendments for Section 18-15 and 18-168, Related to Lot Coverage and Porch Projections into the Front Yard
Body
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
The Mayor and Town Council directed Department of Planning and Zoning staff to engage the community last 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.
Town Council held a public hearing on January 24, 2022. After the members of the public in attendance at the hearing spoke, the Council closed the public hearing but left written comments open until January 31, 2022. The Council discussion was continued to the next conference session on February 2, 2022.
OVERVIEW:
As directed by the Mayor and Town Council, the Department of Planning and Zoning staff have drafted options for 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).
The conference session provides an opportunity for Council to discuss the feedback received thus far and ask any clarifying questions of staff.
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
SUMMARY/STAFF IMPRESSIONS:
The purpose of the conference session is to provide the Council an opportunity to discuss the comments received on the lot coverage options, ask questions of staff, and provide feedback to staff on the text amendment language.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Department of Planning and Zoning staff recommends that Town Council provide input to staff to revise the proposed text amendments as desired.