3A Public Hearing 2007 0116 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Draft Minlltes Excerpt - Joint Buard/Plalllling Commission Work Sessiun Octoher /9, 2006 3 Commissioner Kleebauer added that parking issues have been diseussed at several Planning Comrnission meetings in the context of some of the denser single-family developments, including row homes in the 3,OOO-square-foot neighborhood. Boardmember Marr asked whether the discussion covers Mulford Gardens, because parking issues also come up in regard to these properties, which have single-family homes with duplexes in back that are heing converted into condominiums, Planning Manager Pollart responded that the condominium conversion discussion, next on the agenda, would address Commissioner Marr's question. Boardmemher Peal-son said that he'd prefer to require additional off-street parking lor large homes rather than hope that residents would opt for mass transit and not have additional cars. Commissioner KJeebauer explained that her focus is on housing so convenient to mass transit that the occupants would he less car-dependent, as in New York. ]n denser areas of the City, she said, we should not necessarily always require two covered parking spaces since we are trying to encourage use of public transit. Planning Manager Pollart, in response, raised the issue of enforcement. Today's planned developments proceed under condition that garages are used for cars, and the homeowners' association (HOA) is responsible lor enforcement, but the City lacks a vehicle for enlorcing such conditions with single-family homes that arc not part of a planned development. Commissioner Perras pointed out that more and more, homeowners use garage space lor storage rather than parking, and wondered if anything might be done to reverse that trend. Community Development Director Horn eXplained the difficulty and impracticality in enforcing because the compliance stalT is so small and has so many other priorities. Commissioner Perras noted that where houses are close together, if someone parks a recreational vchicle (RY) in the driveway, neighbors backing out cannot even see oncoming traffic. He referenced regulations regarding fence height or three ICet, hut no governance of vehicles six feet high. Planning Manager ]>ollart replied that RY parking is on the department's "to clo" list. In the meantime, some regulations do already govern RVs, to the extent that code compliance cloes not issue citations on RVs that arc parked in a driveway deeper than the 20-foot front yard setback. The understanding behincl the code is that RVs can park in side yards behind a fence. Commissioner D1ugosh pointed out that if the City passcs ordinances in response to community pushes for standards such as requirements to park in garages - that it is ineumhent on the community to enforce those standards. Community Development Director Horn agreed, but reiterated that CUlTcnt resources are insufficient to handle the workload and the backlog ofitcms requiring enlorcement. Commissioner Kleebauer requested a lega] opinion on constitutional property ownership rights, wondering whether the City can tell citizens how to use their private property, Assistant City Attorney Stuart said she would have to look at it, because the City does also have some rights, particularly as regards issues of health and safety, for example.