HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda December 13, 2007
Regular Agenda Item 5
Unified Development Ordinance Amendment — Sidewalks in Northgate
To: Glenn Brown, City Manager
From: Bob Cowell, Director of Planning & Development Services
Agenda Caption: Public hearing, presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding an
ordinance amendment to Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances, Unified Development
Ordinance Section 5.6 Northgate Districts relating to sidewalk requirements.
Recommendation: The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously recommended
approval of the amendment at their November 15, 2007 meeting. Staff also recommends
approval.
Summary: The Northgate Districts were created to promote a mixture of non-residential
and residential uses in a pedestrian-oriented setting to serve those who eat, live, work, and
recreate in an area near the University. The 2004 Annual Review of the UDO incorporated
several new development standards for the Northgate Districts to encourage and
accommodate pedestrian activity, including increased sidewalk widths along various streets.
Improved sidewalks are currently required for all development, redevelopment,
rehabilitation, and facade projects within any Northgate District, where applicable. The
ordinance also offers relief from this standard by allowing the Design Review Board to grant
waivers where"existing physical conditions prohibit the sidewalk expansion."
During the three years that this ordinance has been in place, Staff has evaluated the
observed and projected effects of the sidewalk standards for facade and rehabilitation
projects in Northgate. In general, existing building and street conditions do not allow the
opportunity to make sidewalk improvements for facade and rehabilitation projects.
Therefore, sidewalk requirements are only feasible for proposed development and
redevelopment projects. Staff recommends amending Section 5.6.8 Sidewalk Standards to
remove the requirement to improve sidewalks for facade and rehabilitation projects within
the Northgate Districts.
Attachments:
1. Red-line of current UDO section
2. Ordinance
3. P&Z Draft Minutes
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