John Pratt of Skyline Builders requests a variance from Section 1208 (h) (5) of the site development ordinance pertaining to the number of curb cuts allowed by regulations. The developer is requesting a variance for an additional curb cut for two (2) fourplex units (eight units total) on Chesapeake Drive, located on Lot 6, Block 3 of Riverfront Pointe Subdivision, situated in the Southwest ¼ of Section 17 T. 1 S., Range 26 East, P. M. M., Billings, Montana. The fourplex units will be located along the west side of Chesapeake Drive, between Denali Drive and Sacagawea Drive, and east of Mullowney Lane. Two curb cuts are allowed by code across the Chesapeake Lane property frontage. Attachment C shows the proposed approach locations.

The City Council may:
 • Approve the variance. Approval of this variance will allow one additional curb cut beyond those allowed by the City Code with no conditions or restrictions; or
• Not approve the variance. If this variance is denied, the owner’s options to meet the requirements of the Site Development Ordinances will require redesign of the facility with a reduction in the number of curb cuts allowed by City Code.

There is no direct financial impact to the City. Advertising costs for the public hearing are offset by the variance application fee.

Sanderson Stewart has submitted an application (Attachment A) and has provided a letter (Attachment B - 2) requesting a variance from City Code Section 1208 (h) (5) for an increase in the number of allowable curb cuts. Sanderson Stewart is the design engineer for the two (2) proposed fourplex units and has provided a Proposed Final Site Plan Layout (Attachment C) showing the placement of the proposed curb cuts. Section 6-1208 (h) Allowable curb cut widths states: "(5) Frontages of sixty (60) feet or less shall be limited to one (1) driveway. Not more than two (2) driveways shall be provided to any single property tract or business establishment, except where the property frontage exceeds six-hundred (600) feet, there may be one (1) additional driveway for each additional three hundred (300) feet of frontage. In cases where parcels have more than one street frontage, each frontage shall be treated separately when determining the allowed number of driveways." The frontage of Lot 6  Block 3, along Chesapeake Lane is approximately 280 feet in length. In accordance with the Section 6-1208 Curb Cut Regulation, the developer currently would be allowed two curb cuts for the first 600 feet or a total of two curb cuts along the Chesapeake Lane frontage of Lot 6. The current design does reduce the number of curb cuts that would be needed to service eight units if these were individual lots. Therefore, Sanderson Stewart, on behalf of the developer of the property, John Pratt of Skyline Builders, is requesting a variance from City Code Section 1208 (h) (5) for an increase in the number of allowable curb cuts.

The City Council recently approved variances for Dan Marsich's Riverfront Pointe Cottages Phase I & II. The variances are similar in concept and design and are located on Frontier Drive and Lots 2 & 3, Block 1, of Riverfront Pointe Subdivision. The Riverfront Pointe Cottages are approximately 700 feet north of the proposed fourplex units of Mr Pratt.