LU 22-0038: Community Development Code Annual Amendments (2022)

The purpose of the proposed code amendments is twofold: 1) to correct errors, eliminate text redundancy, and clarify text; and 2) to implement minor policy changes intended to streamline the permit process, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.  This process is part of the City’s ongoing effort to make the regulations less burdensome on residents and businesses while maintaining community standards.

The proposed amendments include:

Maintenance Amendments (LOC Chapters 50.03, 50.04, 50.05, 50.06, 50.07, 50.08 and 50.10) 

Code Maintenance amendments are those that correct or add cross‐references, clarify existing standards, address changes in State or Federal law, or are for operational efficiency and consistency with other codes.

1. Establish threshold for distinguishing side from rear lot lines on irregular lots [LOC 50.10.003.2].
2. Clarify applicability of use-specific standards for certain “Institutional Uses” and restore missing use categories and conditional use types to the Residential Use Table [LOC 50.03.003.5.a; LOC Table 50.03.002-2; LOC 50.10.003.2].
3. Amend Commercial Use Table footnote for “Institutional Uses” [LOC Table 50.03.002-2, Footnote 5].
4. Clarify the applicability of Downtown Redevelopment Design District’s Clear & Objective Track with regards to “substantial remodels” and the R-2 zone [LOC 50.05.004.2; LOC 50.05.004.13.b].
5. Clarify how storefront appearance design standards apply for alleys and residential uses in the Downtown Redevelopment Design District [LOC 50.05.004.6.b].
6. Clarify how height is measured for purposes of determining allowed lot coverage in residential zones [LOC 50.04.001.1.f; LOC 50.04.001.2.f.i(1)(a); LOC 50.04.001.2.f.iii(1)].
7. Update text in the residential zones’ dimensional tables to refer to the correct term for “sloped” lots [LOC Table 50.04.001-1; LOC Table 50.04.003-3; LOC Table 50.04.001-11].
8. Update text for measuring maximum height for “Lots with Sloping Topography”, to be consistent with legislative history and current practice [LOC Table 50.04.001-1, Footnote 5 and Figure 50.04.001-A; LOC 50.04.001.2.g.iii(1); LOC 50.04.001.3.f.ii(2); LOC Table 50.04.001-3, Footnote 5; LOC Table 50.04.001-11, Footnote 4].
9. Update Fence code to allow fence/retaining walls combinations, subject to location and height regulations, along with possible minor variances to those height requirements [LOC 50.06.004.2.b.i; LOC 50.08.02.2.e].
10. Clarify that development under a “Unified Site Plan” should identify and consider parking [LOC 50.07.003.1.a.ii].
11. Modify construction timing and bonding for required public infrastructure improvements to be consistent with current practice [LOC 50.07.003.9.a.i].
12. Update professional credential requirements under Hillside Protection and Weak Foundation Soils standards [LOC 50.07.004.3.a.iv; LOC 50.07.004.10.b.i].
13. Clarify who is entitled to receive legislative public hearing notices [LOC 50.07.003.16.c.v; LOC 50.07.003.16.e.iv.].
14. Clarify when and how the City Manager can allow deferral of required undergrounding of existing overhead utilities within the public right-of-way along a site’s frontage [LOC 50.06.008.4.d.v.ii].
15. Update text with gender-neutral pronouns [Code-wide];
16. Remove “private street” from code as the operative term is “private access lane” [LOC 50.05.010.5.c.iii(1)(b); LOC 50.06.004.2.b.i; LOC 50.07.007.2.c; LOC 50.08.002.2.f; LOC 50.10.003.2].
17. Clarify how to calculate the size of carports for the purposes of “Gross Building Floor Area” as it applies to ADUs and other accessory structures [LOC 50.10.003.2].
18. Update code language regarding the definition of “Group Care Home” [LOC 50.10.003.2].

Policy Amendments (LOC Chapters 50.03, 50.04, 50.05, 50.06 and 50.7)

The following six amendments each involve policy considerations:

1. Exempt all structures in Public Functions (PF) and Park & Natural Area (PNA) zones from compliance with building orientation standards requiring structures (and their main entrances) to be located within 30 feet of a public street [LOC 50.06.001.5.g.i(2)].
2. Grant reduced setbacks for noise-producing accessory structures (heat pumps, a/c units, etc.) where underlying zone setbacks are less [LOC 50.03.004.2.a.iv].
3. Determine the appropriate offset from property lines for uncovered patios and decks less than 30 inches above grade and ensure consistency for same within the Oswego Lake standards [LOC 50.04.003.8.b; LOC Table 50.04.003-2].
4. Allow more options for sustainable exterior building materials in the West Lake Grove Design District (WLG) and the Lake Grove Village Center Overlay District (LGVC) [LOC 50.05.005.4.k.ii(2)(a)(i) & (iv); LOC 50.05.005.4.k.ii(2)(b)(vi - x); LOC 50.05.005.9.a.i(3) (a)(i)(A) & (D); LOC 50.05.005.9.d.x.(3)(a)(ii)(F); LOC 50.05.007.5.g.i(4 - 9)]. [Note: The Lake Grove Business Association was separately working on a package of proposed code concepts pertaining to building and site design for LGVC and WLG. That process has not delivered timely input as requested by the Planning Commission, and therefore staff is proposing to move forward with a narrower set of code amendments.]
5. Determine if code pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and minor variances should be only clarified or if it should be amended to allow for more variances for ADUs [LOC 50.03.004.1.b.vi(1)(d); LOC 50.08.002.2.q].
6. Work with the Uplands NA Board to revise the Uplands Overlay standards to allow more than one access point onto a public street under very limited circumstances [LOC 50.05.012.8.a].

__PRESENT