Chapter 17.45
EXCEPTIONS
Sections:
17.45.010 Purpose.
In recognition that not all situations in land use lend themselves to a strict zoning ordinance provision, this chapter provides the city planner some latitude to make minor exceptions to this title. (Ord. 495 § 1, 2005)
17.45.020 Minor exceptions.
A. Authority. To ensure compatibility with surrounding uses and to preserve the public health, safety, and welfare, the planning commission or city planner is authorized to grant a minor exception to the following code requirements:
1. Fence Height. In any district the maximum height on any fence, wall, hedge, or equivalent screening may be increased by a maximum of two feet, where the topography of sloping sites or a difference in grade between adjoining sites warrants such increase in height to maintain a level of privacy, or to maintain effectiveness of screening, as generally provided by such fence, wall, hedge or screening in similar circumstances.
2. Setbacks. In any nonresidential district, the planning commission may decrease the minimum setback by not more than 25 percent for front and rear yard areas and not by more than 40 percent in side yard areas where the proposed setback area or yard is in character with the surrounding properties and is not required as an essential open space or recreational amenity to the use of the site, and where such decrease will not unreasonably affect abutting sites.
3. Lot Coverage. In any district, the city planner may increase the maximum lot coverage by not more than 10 percent of the lot area, where such increase is necessary for significantly improved site planning or architectural design, creation or maintenance of views, or otherwise facilitate highly desirable features or amenities, and where such increase will not unreasonably affect abutting sites.
4. On-Site Parking. The planning commission may authorize a maximum 25 percent reduction in the required on-site parking requirements where such reduction will not result in a traffic hazard, impact the necessary parking for the use, and will not impact abutting uses.
5. Height. In any district the city planner may authorize a 10 percent increase in the maximum height limitation where necessary to significantly improve the site plan or architectural design, and where scenic views or solar access on surrounding properties are not affected.
B. Application. An application for a minor exception shall be filed with the planning department, in a form prescribed by the city planner.
C. Notification. The planning department shall notify the applicant and contiguous property owners and other interested parties of the proposed exception by mail 10 days prior to the decision of the city planner or planning commission.
D. Conditions of Approval. The city planner or planning commission may impose reasonable conditions on an approval of a minor exception. Conditions may include, but not be limited to, requirements for special yards, open spaces, buffers, fences, walls, and screening, requirements for installation and maintenance of landscaping and erosion control measures, regulation of vehicular ingress and egress, and traffic circulation, regulation of signs, establishment of development schedules or time limits for performance or completion, requirements for periodic review by the planning department and any other conditions as deemed necessary by the city planner or planning commission. (Ord. 495 § 1, 2005)