HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-10 Planning & Zoning Packet - Work SessionCITY OF KENAI
PLANNING ZONING
COMMISSION
Work Session Reminder
Immediately Following The
MEETING
November 10, 2009
Amendment to Kenai Municipal Code
KMC 14.20.250 Front Yard Parking
tire ei
HEH ALASKA
MEMO:
TO: Planning Zoning Commission
FROM: Marilyn Kebschull, Planning Administration
DATE: October 29, 2009
SUBJECT: Front Yard Vehicle Parking
Village with a Past Gi/ with a Frtture
210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794
Telephone: 907 283 -75351 FAX: 907 -283 -3014
As requested at the work session on October 14 a work session is scheduled to follow your
meeting on November 10 Notices of the work session were sent to the property owners
notified in October. In addition, notices were sent to three individuals who provided contact
information after your last work session.
At the October work session, several residents participated in the discussion. Based on those
comments, it appeared that the majority were against regulating front yard parking, did not
believe that there was an adverse affect on neighboring properties, and that the City should not
impose additional regulations on property owners. I also received an email from Henry
Knackstedt who attended the work session. Attached is a copy of the email which provides Mr.
Knackstedt's comments on the issue.
1/
Marilyn Kebschull
From: Henry Knackstedt [hknackstedt @hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:53 AM
To: Marilyn Kebschull
Subject: Front Yard Parking
Marilyn
I silently participated in the October 14, 2009 Work Session of a proposed amendment to KMC 14.20.250
Front Yard Parking. Most of the residents that attended said that they were basically against any change
to the code and wanted to preserve the "Alaskan experience" and freedom. I have not completely
formulated an opinion but feel that the Code needs to be modified. Nancy Carver provided a number of
pictures during the meeting that illustrated what sort of front yard parking appears unsightly and
problematic. As one Commissioner said, "I know it when I see it but that it is basically hard to define.
After thinking about this issue, I can't help but notice vehicles parked in front yards throughout the city
and the fact that we have extremely varied neighborhoods from relatively urban to rural, I don't know if
one rule will fit all situations, but that is a detail for later.
I recommend that you consider the following informal study. Rather than focus on what we don't like,
how about taking a sample drive through of some of the different types of neighborhoods and make note
of the number of vehicles (and type of vehicles) parked in each driveway on a given day and if they are
parked on an improved surface. You could be subjective as well and make note if the parking appears
tidy. I think with this little study you will determine the following:
1) The number of vehicles parked in a driveway in a given type of neighborhood.
2) Now many vehicles are parked on an improved or unimproved surface.
3) A percentage of the residents /vehicles can be calculated that park in other than improved parking.
(how big is the problem)
I think with this data and whatever additional items you want to document, the Planning Commission and
the public can more easily come up code change options.
Henry Knackstedt
1
Me city
KENAI; ALASKA
MEMO:
'Village with a Past, e# with a Fgstgre
210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794 tlag
Telephone: 907 283 -75361 FAX: 907 -283 -3014 tijjj'
TO: Planning Zoning Commission
FROM: Marilyn Kebschull, Planning Administration
DATE: September 15, 2009
SUBJECT: Front Yard Vehicle Parking
In June 2009, the Commission was presented with Information regarding vehicles being parking
in front yards. The Commission requested the information be brought back for a work session.
This has been an ongoing issue. In 2001, a proposed amendment was discussed which would
have restricted using front yards for vehicle parking. The Commission postponed action and
requested additional consideration in the following areas:
The proposed amendment should require building setbacks be maintained;
specifically in the front yard.
The code should define parking area. (The code was amended in 2005 to define
private parking space.)
o Parking space, private means any automobile parking space, excluding garages,
not less than nine feet (9') wide and one hundred eighty (180) square feet in
total area.
Clarification of what constitutes an improved surface. (KMC 14.20.250 Off- street
Parking Loading Requirements identifies design standards as requiring a durable,
well- drained, and dust -free surface.) Should this specify:
o Gravel
o Stone
o Blacktop or equivalent
Should the amendment regulate zones.with smaller lot sizes? (i.e. Suburban
Residential versus Rural Residential)
]992
If
Would requiring screening eliminate the adverse impact?
Based on Internet research, it appears that several communities are struggling with the same
issue should communities restrict using front yards for parking? Residential zoning historically
is designed to provide residential development that is stable, attractive development. Zoning
should provide development guidelines that provide for uniformity in permitted uses and
protection for the integrity of zone. As the Commission considers whether or not to draft an
amendment, it is important to consider that it Is the Commissions' responsibility to draft
legislation that provides for individual property rights as well as protection for neighboring
properties. To that end, I believe a basic regulation that provides for the following could meet
those guidelines:
Set a guide for percentage of front yard that must be maintained. Lot coverage
requirements are established for structures but not for yards and driveways. The
code defines front yard.
o Yard, front means a yard extending across the full width of the lot between the
front lot line of the lot and the nearest exterior wall of the building which is the
nearest to the front lot line.
Identify area(s) where parking may be located on the lot. It is recommended that
some setback be retained for side and rear setbacks. (Parking areas require
maintaining setbacks or use criteria from KMC 14.20.200(1) (2); three feet.)
Establish requirements for improved surfaces for driveways.
For discussion purposes, I've attached photographs and some basic drawings. Also attached is
the information prepared by Ms. Carver In December relating to the issue. Ms. Carver, who
deals most often with front yard parking complaints, will be available to answer questions.
Attachments
These photographs are provided for discussion purposes,
1
Setbacks:
Front 25'
Rear 20'
Side
Varies from:
5 -15'
1',g0424.. .5, Fi1.:� 5r s y j1 1 3 3 �.1 ‹Ankft+
Yard, front means a yard extending across the full width of the lot between the
front lot line of the lot and the nearest exterior wall of the building which is the
nearest to the front lot Tine,
Yard, side means a yard on each side of the main building and extending from the
front lot line to the rear lot line. The width of the required side yard shall be
measured horizontally from the nearest point of a side lot line to the nearest part of
the main building.
Yard, rear means a yard extending across the full width of the lot between the
most rear main building and the rear lot line.
ins 110.0it 1�{ whit
ov11� Meru.
t:
Rear Yard
Front Yard