Date: Fri 18-Apr-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-regulation-changes

Full Text:

P&Z Rejects Proposed Regulation Changes

GENNEWS

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have opted against approving some

revised land use regulations they had proposed to more strictly control

residential development.

At an April 9 session, P&Z members decided against approving proposed rules

that would limit the extent of excavation, removal, regrading, and filling of

land for street construction and drainage structure installation.

P&Z members also didn't approve proposed rules on the grading of cut-and-fill

slopes and on limiting rock cuts.

Under those proposed rules, the maximum grade for any driveway would have been

10 percent, instead of the current 15 percent. Parking areas would have been

limited to a 5 percent grade. Under the proposals, the maximum grade for a

driveway where it meets a street would have been 5 percent. The 5 percent

grade would have had to be maintained for at least 45 feet back from the

center line of the street.

Under the proposals, driveways would have intersected with streets at

generally right angles. All driveways would have had to be built before any

buildings were constructed on lots.

Driveways serving single-family houses would have had to be at least ten feet

wide for their entire length. Driveways would have had to be designed to

maintain the natural and historic features of a lot, including the land's

contours, mature trees, stone walls, and archaeological artifacts.

Developers, builders, engineers and lawyers who spoke at the March 20 public

hearing criticized the proposed driveway slope limits. They also opposed the

controls on cutting, filling, and grading, terming them excessively strict.

P&Z members decided to form a panel to review revising the residential

development rules.