Shore Drive Community Coalition

About the proposed Hookah Lounge and one comment

From Grace:

Good morning.

If anyone is interested in the follow-up on the proposed hookah bar at the old Foon’s location, Channel 13 did a story on it.  The link is in the forwarded email below.  Also, since I had no idea what a hookah bar is when I first heard of it, I went to my favorite 21st century reference resource.  Here is the link that explains the concept.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hookah_lounge

I guess before we rush to judgment about the proposed business, we ought to consider a couple of things.

Number one, we know that it is not doing anyone any good to have an idle property sitting there not creating jobs, not generating revenue, not paying much in the way of taxes.  For years this place was a successful restaurant and satisfactory neighbor.

Number two, once a variance is received for the parking, and presumably a Conditional Use Permit issued, residents have no control of what use the property enjoys.  The CUP may set the parameters of operation, but in my observation, there is little to no enforcement once the business opens, and even less, once the property has conveyed a time or two.

The BZA hearing is just about the parking space allocation, but if that hurdle is passed, I predict you will see a hookah bar at that location.  And that is not necessarily a bad thing.  Maybe we should mount an expeditionary force to the already-operating Nimbus.

Happy 4th.
Regards,
Grace Moran
President, SDCC

Comment from the Editor:

How much work has the proposed owners done to ensure a safe Shore Drive?

Examples: Are they lobbying for sidewalks/multi-use paths near them to
encourage people to walk instead of drive.
They are asking for less parking after all.

Are they lobbying for dedicated bike lanes to encourage people to ride?

Do they have a plan to take people home who shouldn’t drive or even to
pick people up?

Are they working on a “local shuttle” for people to take?  There are
plenty examples of that including in Richmond where local
establishments share “buses” for the specific purpose of getting
people out of their cars to travel safely and not worry about
how/where to park.

If they want to be part of the Shore Drive community safely - this is
their opportunity to set the standard on the way in.

And as always - if anything should be posted at SDCC.info email me
exactly what you want there - including the owners of the proposed
Hookah Lounge.

Tim

Green Parrot Grille can’t add outdoor dining area

Article at Pilotonline.com:

After hearing a handful of complaints from residents, the council decided to deny Richards’ request. Richards, who also lives on Lookout Road, was advised to consider other options and work out existing issues with residents.

Comment at the Pilotonline.com, there are 34 at the time of this post including:

After all the amplified police during the summer, writing tickets for drinking on the beach, scrambling on their bikes during the 4th of July trying to find where every firework came from now the restuarants are in danger. The 3 restaurants in the heart of Chic’s are part of what makes it different and gives a sense of community. I walk over to the Parrott about 3 times a week. I love breakfast and take in the sports on TV. I have never seen a bar fight - ever. And I live within sight of the place. Also I have never heard music at my house. However if the owner agreed not to have amplified music then she should have abbided by it.

App to rezoned Lynnhaven Marina officially pulled

From Barry:

Todd,

Thank you for your recent letter and email dated October 27, 2008 from the Shore Drive Community Coalition. In response to your request and in our continued efforts to work with community representatives, the Department of Parks and Recreation will withdraw the applications for re-zoning and conditional use permit for the Lynnhaven Marina effective immediately. In addition, we commit to continue to work with you and community representatives to ensure we are providing valued services and facilities.  A signed letter of this same information is attached.

As always, please feel free to distribute or post this information as needed. Should you have any questions or comments, please let me know. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Barry

J. Barry Frankenfield, FASLA, AICP
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757-385-1104 (Phone) - 757-385-1130 (FAX)

bfranken@vbgov.com

Our vision is a balanced, sustainable and value-focused system of parks, recreation and public spaces that creates a sense of community.

SDCC’s letter requesting withdrawal.

SDCC formally requests City withdraw rezoning of City Marina

Check out our letter from Todd to the City. [1pg PDF]

Indigo Dunes on State Water Control Board Hearing on Oct 16th

You remember Indigo Dunes will be heard by the State Water Control Board in Richmond on October 16th.

Check out agenda. [4pg PDF]

City Marina moved from Planning’s August Agenda

From Barry:

Thanks for your comments; we have requested this item be deferred at this time.  We will follow up with your group in September to discuss your concerns.  Thanks.

SDCC writes to Planning in opposition to rezoning City Marina

At it’s June meeting, the Shore Drive Community Coalition (SDCC) voted unanimously to oppose the
proposed rezoning of the City marina from P-1 to B-2. 
This letter is being submitted to make City Staff, the Planning Commission and City Council aware of this
opposition and to request that the proposed rezoning of this site be discontinued.  The community feels
that the possible problems created by rezoning and planned privatization of the marina outweigh any
possible benefits for the local community as well as the rest of Virginia Beach.

CityMarinaRezonOppLtr.pdf [1pg PDF]

BAC Meeting Tuesday, July 29th includes presentation about Marina Shore new proposal

Staff is having a modified Bayfront Advisory Meeting Tuesday, July 29th at sometime between 3:00p.m. &3:30 p.m. Gale Levine is going to do a presentation on the proposal for the Marina Shores Marina Area. Would you and/or a representative from the Shore Drive Coalition of Civic Leagues be available to attend? This is an informal presentation.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda for Monday, July 28th 2008

SDCC General Meeting Agenda - Monday July 28, 2008

SDCC General Meeting - Monday July 28, 2008, 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation – No program planned for this month.  Time will be allotted to Old & New Business Sections.

The general agenda for the evening will be:

Officer’s Reports - Brief Reports
Secretary - Tim
Treasurer’s Report - Leslie
Vice President & President - Daphne & Todd

Old Business-
Indigo Dunes Project – Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has asked for more time to review and answer the public’s concerns before going before the State Water Control Board (WCB).  The next WCB meeting is scheduled for September 30th.  The SDCC Pleasure House Point (PHP) committee has scheduled a meeting with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), Lynnhaven River Now (LRN), Wetlands Watch and our legal representation to put together a plan for the WCB hearing. 

Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR) Proposed Spoils Transfer Station – City Staff is still pursuing the purchase of land behind the AT&T-Battery Plus building on the Blvd. for the dredging of the Western Branch as a permanent dredge transfer station. This site would also provide kayak
& canoe access when not being used as a transfer station.  City Staff is looking at purchasing or condemnation of all the property in the area (excluding the vets office) to also allow a Fire Station.  Staff plans to present details to City Council on Aug 12 at a closed session.
[Correction 2:18pm Monday July 28th 2008.]

Proposed Rezoning of City Marina - Planning Commission review was deferred from the July 9th meeting to the August 13th meeting at noon in City Council Chambers.  SDCC has sent a letter to City Staff and Council opposing the rezoning from P-1 to B-2.  Reasons for opposition include the fact that a marina is considered a principal use in a P-1 zoning district so there is no need to rezone and the current arrangement is a money making venture for the City, about $50,000 per year.  Making it a private venture runs the risk of losing this income.

City Council Candidate Forum and Questionnaire –  SDCC agreed to partner with OPCL and host a City Council Candidate Forum the week of September 22nd – 26th.  The locations suggested were the VB resort conference hotel, Baylake Pines church, Lynnhaven Congregational church and Westminster Canterbury.  It was recommended that Todd moderate and the format still needed to be decided.

SDCC Oyster Roast – Mark your calendars for Saturday Nov 15th from noon until 4pm at the VB Resort Conference Hotel.  First committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday August 21st at 6:30pm at Charlie’s Restaurant.  Volunteers are needed, email Todd if you’re interested in helping.  Todd@sdcc.info

SDCC Officer Nomination Committee – The nominating committee is narrowing down the list of candidates and is still in need of a good candidate for Vice President or Secretary.  If you are interested in running or know of anyone that may be, please contact Dan Creedon at DanVaB@aol.com.  The committee will make their presentation of names at the October 27th general meeting.

New Business -

Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR) Proposed Spoils Transfer Station – Should SDCC write a letter to City Staff and Council supporting the plan to purchase and/or condemn businesses behind PEP Boys for a transfer station?  Should SDCC partner with Saw Pen Point C.L. is support of this site?

Community Legislative Town Hall Meeting -The City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations will be co-hosting a town-hall style discussion to give citizens an opportunity to provide valuable input into the City’s 2008 Legislative Agenda – goals which the City will submit to members of the local General Assembly delegation later in the year.  Meeting will be Wednesday August 6th at 7:30pm in the VB Convention Center and is open to the public.
Indigo Dunes Project – With the possible Sandlers financial troubles reported by the Virginian-Pilot, does the SDCC think it’s a opportune time to sit down with City Staff and Council to discuss working up possible purchase scenarios (land swaps, tax reductions, etc.) and then have the City pursue these plans with the Sandlers?

Sincerely,
Todd Solomon
Shore Drive Community Coalition - President
Visit http://www.sdcc.info for additional information regarding the Bayfront area.

City Marina Planning Commission Docs

Public Notice Lynnhaven Marina Rezoning Information JULY 3,2008 [6pg PDF]

City Marina Planning Commission Hearing deferred until August

From Faith Christie, City Planner for City Marina:

...We’ve checked the file, and he is correct an adjacent property owner was not notified. Therefore we have to defer the request for another month. We will place the request on the August 13, 2008 agenda and move forward from there. We will make sure all adjacent property owners are notified….

Lesner Cove Condos opposses rezoning of City Marina

From Emily McBride, President, Lesner Cove Condominium Association:

June 29, 2008

To Whom It May Concern:

The Lesner Cove Condominium Association located at 2140 Vista Circle, Virginia Beach, VA., is opposed to the rezoning of the City Marina from P-1, Preservation to B-2, and Commercial for the following reasons:

  * The Marina as it exists and is managed at this time is a public service to the taxpayers of Virginia Beach and one of the last facilities controlled by the city that is located in this water based recreation area. In a time when the preservation of all natural space is important and discussed by the city in various meetings, we feel that maintaining the Preservation Area zoning is in keeping with the city plan to preserve as much natural space as possible. We feel that the Marina is a feather in the City’s cap and do not understand why the City would want to give up control. Was this an opportunity to be explored because it would be a solution to the parking problems that exist with the commercial establishments in the area?

  * The Marina is a profitable property for the city returning $54,000 annually to its coffers. If leased, there is no guarantee that the city will make more money than it already does. What is the need to allow a private entity to use it commercially and what are the exposure risks to the city if the management is outsourced? Why would the city want to hold property for a commercial purpose?

  * We are concerned about a private manager asking to put fuel tanks back on the property. The tanks that were there before split and fuel seeped into the ground and river. Oversight of fuel tanks would be the responsibility of the city creating more responsibility for the city. Has anyone asked the management of the City Garage if they want to have oversight for fuel tanks being reinstalled on the property? Again what is the risk to the city, property, river and surrounding neighborhoods and restaurants?

  * Vista Circle, the street address of the Marina is already overcrowded with traffic that at times, blocks the street both ways making it impossible for emergency vehicles and residents to gain access to their homes and businesses there. The area around the Marina includes a large number of residential homes and condominiums. Presently the marina generates little traffic other than a few boat owners and the Virginia Beach Marine Police which operates several police boats from there. The increase in traffic from a commercial establishment would have an all round detrimental effect on the community. The remaining empty piece of property abutting Chick’s Restaurant on the West side and owned by Mr. Francis, and now, for sale again, has already been zoned for a restaurant should he decide to build it, which will create more traffic on Vista Circle. We don’t feel that turning the Marina into a commercial entity and creating even more traffic challenges and more need for parking in the area is a responsible decision on the part of the City.

  * We have heard for several years about the creation of Waterman’s Walk in this area. Creation of Waterman’s Walk was a nice plan but would require business owners along the river to surrender property on the riverfront for a walkway. On the original plan for this nice thought, there was to be a parking lot at the intersection of Shore Drive and Vista Circle. We know of no plans that the city has at this time to purchase property for such a parking lot nor are we aware of any plan that the city has in place to gain access to the property on the riverfront necessary to accomplish “Waterman’s Walk.” Therefore rationalizing that this is a part of the city’s plan for Waterman’s Walk is not valid. There is no specific plan.

  * While we understand that one of the proffers is to maintain the open space at the back of the Marina Property, we believe that the whole Marina is “open space” and needs to be preserved as is.

We will be attending the zoning hearing on July 9th and requesting that the city not rezone the City Marina. Any help or input you can give would be appreciated.

Respectfully,

Emily McBride, President
Lesner Cove Condominium Association

City Marina at Planning Commission in July

CityMarina-PlanningJuly08.pdf [2pg PDF]

Planning Commission Subcommittee Seeks Public Input on Preservation Initiative

Like mature trees, pretty architecture & history?

You’ll want to share your input:

Later this year, City Council will consider the development of a program that would address the preservation, renewal and enhancement of the city’s existing housing and neighborhoods. To assist in their consideration, the Planning Commission Subcommittee on Preservation (Preservation Subcommittee) is currently developing a set of recommendations, which will be presented to City Council and help determine the direction of this initiative.

The Preservation Subcommittee believes that public involvement is a key part of the planning process and vital to its success. Therefore, we invite you to review the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report, which can be found on the Preservation Subcommittee’s web page. The subcommittee’s webpage can be accessed from the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation’s web site, www.vbgov.com/housing, under the “Housing Initiatives” section, as “Preservation Initiative.” There you can access information about the subcommittee, such as its membership, meeting schedules, agendas and notes, and a copy of the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report. Remember to check the web page often as it is continually updated with the progress of the subcommittee’s work.

As you review the Draft Neighborhood Preservation Policy Report, we ask that you please keep the following questions in mind:

  * Are these the right goals?
  * Is this the right direction?
  * How else can we address neighborhood preservation?

The Preservation Subcommittee values input on these recommendations and encourages you to share your feedback by contacting Lanitha Hudson, the coordinator of the Preservation Initiative at lhudson@vbgov.com or by calling 385-5734.  You can also contact any member of the Preservation Subcommittee to share your feedback.  The Membership list is located under “Related Documents” on the right of the Preservation Initiative webpage.

Thank you for your interest in the Preservation Initiative. We look forward to hearing your feedback.
________________________________________________

Lanitha C. R. Hudson
Program Coordinator, Strategy, Policy, and Resources Unit

Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757.385.5734 Direct
757.385.5750 Reception
757.385.1874 Fax
lhudson@VBgov.com

City Marina rezoning hearing at Planning Commission is deferred

Please be advised the Conditional Rezoning request for the City of Virginia Beach for Change of Zoning District Classification from P-1 Preservation District to Conditional B-2 Community Business District at 3211 Lynnhaven Drive (the City Marina) is being deferred. Staff is requesting the deferral to further clarify the request and proposed uses.

If you have any questions or need further information please contact Barry Frankenfield or Brian Solis at 385-1104.

Faith Christie, CZA, CBO
Planner, City of Virginia Beach
2405 Courthouse Drive, Room 115
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757-385-6379

Be sure to follow the Topic link to learn more.

City Marina scheduled for Planning Commission May 14th

More info at VBGov.com.
Item 16 in Agenda.

Nantucket by the Bay temporary development & missing sidewalks

Due to the current tanking real estate market, the owners of the old Colley Marine property, which is now named Nantucket by the Bay, went to the Planning Commission in ‘07 to get some temporary changes made to the proffers agreed to in ‘05.

Here’s the scoop so far on the missing sidewalks & how it happened.

Staff report. [12pg PDF]
Planning Commission 12.07 Minutes for this. [23pg PDF]

Attempted to pull up City Council Minutes for this from the January 22 ‘08 meeting but received this message numerous times from VBGov.com:

We’ll check back and post them when we can.

Special thanks to Eddie Bourdon for pointing out the known safety issues of Shore Drive. Check out the minutes posted above.

SDCC General Meeting Monday, March 31 2008 Agenda

SDCC General Meeting - Monday March 31, 2008, 7:30 to 9:00pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall (parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Presentation on City Marina Rezoning and Privatization Plan – Faith Christie, City Planner, or designated rep. will be present to
answer questions on the new proposal for the City Marina. The request is being changed to a Conditional Rezoning. New signs will be posted shortly. The new plan contains proffers and planned to be heard the at the May 14th Planning Commission meeting. City Council hearing will be in late May or early June 2008. SDCC would like a small committee to work with the City and plan the future of this site. Representatives from Lynnhaven Colony, SDCC, Vista Circle, Boat Slip owners, BAC and City Staff are asked to participate. Proffers for this site are proposed to limit the uses of the Lynnhaven Marina Property. The only uses that shall be permitted in the requested B-2 Zoning Area are listed below.
• Commercial Marina including fuel service, subject to obtaining a conditional use permit (City operation would not require a
Conditional Use Permit)
• Off-site parking (use of parking for off-site uses not directly related to the Marina slip requirements)
• Outdoor Plaza (allows for an open area with paving, planting, and lights, benches and picnic tables also could be permitted for
casual seating and eating sandwiches and snacks purchased in the specialty shop)
• Specialty Shops/retail store of specialty goods, not to exceed 3,000 sq. ft.
• No structure on the site shall exceed thirty (30) feet in height.
Proffers NOT included: The suggested revised proffers do NOT include: Commercial Recreational Facility; Commercial Parking lot, Outdoor Café, and Personal Watercraft.

The general agenda for the evening will be:

Presentation/Discussion - 30 Minutes
Officer’s Reports - Brief Reports
Secretary -
Treasurer’s Report - Leslie
Vice President & President - Daphne & Todd

Old Business-

Indigo Dunes Project – Continued discussion on Botanical Garden proposal from last meeting. An SDCC vote is recommended at this meeting, so be prepared to vote your community’s view. Continued investigation by PHP committee on the possibility of a land swap with commercial property at Corporate Landing. Anyone interested in helping research and put together a proposal to submit to the City is asked to contact Todd Solomon at todd@sdcc.info. SDCC also plans on making this topic a major campaign issue for the Nov. City Council elections.

Lynnhaven River Proposed Spoils Transfer Station - Over 250 residents attended the March 19th public hearing Bayside Middle School. SDCC plans to gather ideas for alternate transfer sites for the Western and Eastern dredgings and has set up an area on http://www.sdcc.info where residents can submit their suggestions.

Cape Henry Beach Sand Replenishment - SDCC has sent a letter to City Council requesting they move ahead with a plan to implement the Cape Henry Beach Sand Replenishment resolution beginning with the next dredge cycle in 2009/2010.

R5R Proposed Code Amendments – Wed. March 12th, the Planning Commission voted (11-0) in favor of a modified proposed amendment change. The approved version limits the size of garages to 15% of lot size up to 1000 sq ft max and has some voluntary incentives changes to R5R lots. Lot sizes 6,500 sq ft. and smaller will have a reduced garage space and lots greater than 6,500 will be able to build the same as before. City Council will NOT be hearing this at the April 8th City Council session. Instead, City Council will appoint another committee to study the issue and try to find a solution that is supported by a greater majority than the modified amendment approved by the Planning Commission.

New Business -

SDCC Membership and Committee Participation – SDCC Membership forms have been mailed out. Our goal is to have 35 paid members this year. This year’s packets contained a information form which we’d really like each group to take the time and fill out. Much of the information requested will help SDCC become a better organization. One items on the form concerns committee participation. With the current number of issues that impact the Shore Drive area, we need more volunteers to help with SDCC committees. So if you have a free hour or two a week, consider signing up for a group.

2nd Annual Shore Drive Town Hall Meeting - Last year’s event held in April was attended by over 250 residents. The main topics of discussion were Indigo Dunes and Shore Drive Safety. At last month’s meeting everyone thought we should hold another Town Hall meeting. We need to determine when to hold it and what main topics should be addressed.

2008 City Council Candidate Questionnaire/Forum – Last month it was determined that we should send our a candidate questionnaire and hold an informal forum prior to the City Council elections. It was also determined to hold the forum as the October General Meeting. Should the forum be kept small or should it be moved to a larger location? If we move site from the OP Rescue Squad, where should it be held? Volunteers are needed to work on this committee. If interested contact Todd Solomon at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Fort Story Soldiers Depart – Thanks to all of you who helped provide an encouraging send off to our local service personnel on Monday March 17, 2008. The community received a wonderful email from the Fort’s PAO which can be read at http://www.sdcc.info

SDCC Oyster Roast – Does Saturday Nov 15th at the VB Resort Conference Hotel sound good to everyone? If we move forward with this, we will need a chair or co-chair for the event. If you like to throw a party, this position would be perfect fory you, who will step forward and chair the event?

R5R Public Notice & suggestion for feedback

Those with R5R zoned properties should be receiving a Public Notice in the mail soon.
R5R Hearing Schedule.

Been concerned about what real estate speculators have built in the Bayfront area over the last few years?

There’s a voluntary solution to improve & maintain the culture, architecture, & beach community feel of our neighborhood.

Here’s an example of what you could email to our City Leaders:

The scale of large duplexes being built on small non-conforming lots, in our neighborhood is unreasonable, obtrusive and unacceptable and I am in favor of the recent proposed amendments to the R-5R zoning districts, which would help reduce the mass of these duplexes as well as encourage front porches, architectural features and side-loaded garages. Approval of these proposed amendments would be a step towards improving the quality of life for residents in the R-5R districts. This proposed zoning revision was mailed out to property owners in R-5R Resort Residential Districts at the beginning of this month.

[encode=CMOffice@vbgov.com?Subject=R5R Zoning Changes]Email City Council.[/encode]

Screenshot of part of the letter you’ll be receiving.

R5R Public Notice 2.7.08 [1pg pdf]

R5R Hearing Schedule

The 1st of 3 meetings is:
after the 12 noon Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, Feb 13.
The February 13 Planning Commission hearing is only for public comment/discussion - no vote will be taken at that hearing.

2nd of 3 meetings is:
next is March 12th, Planning Commission.
March 12 is the first Planning Commission hearing where an actual vote will be taken on the proposed zoning revision.

City Council will vote on this at April 8th City Council Meeting..
You want to attend this one. Speaking would be great. Simply attending will have a positive impact.

Why you should take interest in this issue:

To all -
Thanks, Bob for the background support.
Yes, the notice sent out by the City is a culmination of the work of the North End Civic League along with the Chesapeake Beach Civic League over the last two years. The purpose of the zoning revision is to help scale down the enormous massing currently allowed with the construction of duplexes in R-5R and R-5D zoning.
The majority of our lots in Chesapeake Beach, the North End, Ocean Park and Cape Story by the Sea are zoned R-5R, which allows both single family or duplex development. Under the current zoning ordinance in R-5R, the minimum lot size requirement is 10,000 SF for duplexes and 5,000 SF for single family residences, with a maximum allowable coverage of 35% of the lot, for the foot print of the dwelling. The maximum allowable living space square footage of the dwelling (including all floors) cannot exceed 2 times the 35% lot coverage allowance. Garage space does not count against the maximum allowable living space.
However, most R-5R lots in these resort neighborhoods are 5,000 SF or less and because they were platted prior to 1973, when the current zoning ordinance was adopted, they are “grandfathered” or considered exempt from the minimum square footage lot size requirements of R-5R zoning.
In 2002 during the last major revision to the current zoning ordinance, a provision was added at the 11th hour during the Planning Commission Hearing as a “knee jerk reaction,” in an effort to put a limit on the amount of garage space allowed for duplexes. Without much discussion or any analysis or review by Planning staff, the provision to allow 1000 SF of garage space for duplexes, which would not count against the total allowable living space of the dwelling, was added to the total zoning revision. That 1000 SF allowance became part of the total zoning revision and was then voted on and passed moments later by the Planning Commission. A couple weeks later, it went before City Council and was passed as well, without any understanding of the potential impact this 1000 SF of “free” space would have on development in our resort communities.
In the months and years that ensued, the housing market exploded with development of duplexes in R-5R resort communities. We’ve all seen, first hand the dramatic change in character and density in our neighborhoods when small cottages and single family residences are replaced with large box duplexes. In most cases the developer built the maximum amount of square footage possible to maximize profits. Since the garage allowance is 1000 SF of “free” space that would mean on a 50’ x 100’ (5000 SF) lot, the first floor foot print could be 1750 SF (35% lot coverage) minus the 1000 SF garage space, leaving 750 SF of living space. That leaves 2750 SF of the total 3500 SF allowed ( 1750 lot coverage x 2) to be used for the second and third floors (2nd floor 1750 & 3rd floor 1000).
In the recently distributed proposed revision to the zoning ordinance, the maximum allowable free garage space would be equal to 10% of the square footage of the lot, up to a maximum of 1000 SF. So, if you had a 50’ x 100’ (5000 SF) lot, with the intent of building a duplex, the garage allowance would be 500 SF (10% of the 5000 SF lot) and the first floor foot print would still be 1750 SF (35% of 5000 SF= max lot Coverage), but since the maximum allowable free garage area is 500 SF, the remaining living space on the first floor would be 1250 SF. That would leave only 2250 SF of living space for the second and third floors, which is 500 SF less than what is allowed on the upper two floors under the current zoning ordinance. Therefore, the massing of the dwelling is decreased.
The whole idea is to let the lot size dictate the amount of free garage area allowed, which would naturally decrease the size of the box as the size of the building lot decreases - which is only fair and makes a great deal of sense.
In addition to the reduced free garage space revision, this proposal also offers several, strictly voluntary incentives to address the curb appeal and residential appeal of duplexes, thus making them more visually compatible with our neighborhoods. Since these incentives are not requirements, but optional (if you do this then you get to do that type of thing), I won’t elaborate just because I’m already very long winded on this.
I know this is a lot of information, but I felt it is necessary to explain the entire scenario, to allow informed decisions by all.
Your support at the “open mic” discussion after the Planning Commission hearing would be helpful to getting this passed, but this hearing on the 13th is only for public comment. The next hearing on March 12 will be for the vote and the final, most critical hearing is City Council meeting on April 8. The City Council meeting is where we really need strong support.
Thank you in advance to everyone for your help.
Regards,
Mark