Discuss Setback Requirements for Corner Lots in the R-1 Residential Districts

The topic of the side yard setback for corner lots comes up periodically and has emerged again recently. Presently, in the R-1 Residential District, the side yard of a corner lot that has frontage along a road is treated as a secondary front yard.  Thus, in the R-1 Residential (MUSA) district, a corner lot would have a thirty (30) foot setback for the true front yard as well as along the secondary frontage.  Likewise, a corner lot in the R-1 Residential (Rural Developing) district, a corner lot would have a forty (40) foot setback for the true front yard as well as along the secondary frontage. 

In the MUSA district, a corner lot is required to be ten (10) feet wider than an interior lot (ninety [90] feet versus eighty [80] feet); however, due to the greater side corner setback, they experience a reduced buildable area (14’ for uninhabitable or 10’ for habitable).

Staff would like to hear the Planning Commission’s thoughts on the existing corner lot setback requirements for the R-1 (listed below), and to consider the information provided herein.

While the City's current practice is a fairly common one for corner lots, there are other methods that could be contemplated. Some possibilities that would effectively increase the amount of buildable space on these lots include:

• Reducing the side/corner yard setback requirement by 5-10 feet (note that in 2000, the City had a provision in City Code that permitted a slightly reduced side/corner setback of twenty [20] feet if the setback pattern was not already established on the adjacent lot).
• Reducing the side/corner yard setback with a provision that if the side yard/corner is adjacent to a true front yard, the thirty (30) foot  would still apply (so that one neighbor’s side of home does not stick out further than another neighbor’s front of home)

Staff has briefly reviewed how other communities address side/corner setbacks.  A chart comparing the front and side yard/corner setback regulations of neighboring cities is attached for the Commission’s review.

This is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

Staff has no recommendation.  This matter is raised every so often and Staff just wanted to update the Commission and hear any feedback as to whether an amendment should be considered.

Based on discussion but ideally would be to instruct Staff either to prepare an Ordinance Amendment for the side/corner setback standard in the R-1 Residential District or that no change is deemed necessary at this time.