2002-11-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1859 November 4, 2002 which carried unanimously. AGENDA #2 - PUBLIC HEARING ON SETBACK AND HEIGHT OF NEW SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS: Mr. Ollendorff reported that a public hearing had been set to consider citizens' comments on the Plan Commission's response to the Council's request for a review of the zoning requirements for new single family dwellings. He said that the Plan Commission and staff studied the subject, included input from interested citizens on all sides of the issue and subsequently recommend that the zoning ordinance be amended to include two new requirements: 1. In neighborhoods where there is no established or platted building set back lines, a new house would have to meet the average for that neighborhood. 2. When proposed new housing construction exceeds the neighboring house by more than fifteen feet, a special set back in the side yard of eight feet would be required rather than the standard five feet. The City Manager said that following the Public Hearing and the accompanying public comments, the City Council may introduce legislation and vote on it in two weeks. The Mayor then declared the Public Hearing open AT 7:35 p.m. Tom Harig, 7814 Greensfelder, read a statement by Tom Engelhart. In this statement, he noted that housing setback lines were originally established to allow sunlight into the street and he believed that this common requirement has been overturned in our neighborhoods. He stated that his studies of Clayton, Ladue and Olivette showed that they uniformly adhered to established building lines. He cited housing at Gay and Teasdale, 7831 Lafon and 515 East Drive as examples where such concern was not shown in University City. Using 7831 Lafon Place as an example, he said that the structure sticks out about 10 ~ feet closer to the street than the main. In the morning, it blocks a good deal of the light that once reached 7838 Lafon and by late afternoon, the building darkens the house at 7827 Lafon. He believed that the appearance of residential neighborhoods has been affected. He hoped that Council agreed with the Plan Commission and accepted their front yard set back recommendation. Nancy Sachar, 8044 Lafon Place, said that she welcomed the new zoning proposals but felt that they did not go far enough. She said the concept of the standard thirty foot back yard, five foot side yard, and twenty five foot front yard was inaccurate. She cited the City of University City's regulations and expressed her desire that the appropriate boundaries are maintained. Ralph Bowser, 8050 Teasdale Avenue, expressed his support for the proposed 2