Subject:
Title
Public Hearing on Recommendations to Town Council for Request of a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment for Sections 18-15 and 18-168, Related to Lot Coverage and Porch Projections into the Front Yard
Body
The Mayor and Town Council directed Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) 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 may recommend additional amendments.
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to close the public hearing."
And
“I move to recommend to Town Council the adoption of the proposed text amendments to Sections 18-15, 18-168 and 18-169 related to lot coverage, as provided in option x, and porch projections into the front yard, as presented."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by the Planning Commission.