Chapter 17.30
R-3 – MODERATE DENSITY
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
Sections:
17.30.030 Lot/yard minimum standards.
17.30.040 Height/density regulations.
17.30.010 Purpose.
This use is designed to preserve small-town qualities enjoyed by area residents in the face of rapid growth and development. An example of, but not limited to, this zone would be the areas of Terra Eden/Sherwood Forest and the Mansfield Additions. (Ord. 433 § 6.10, 1997)
17.30.020 Land uses.
Land uses associated with this zoning designation are found in the column marked "(Moderate Density) Residential 3" of the land use matrix found at FMC 17.15.060. Procedures associated with obtaining permits for special and conditional uses are found elsewhere within this title. When considering all activities and application of this code to said activities, the applicant and the city need to also review Chapter 17.75 FMC, Special Conditions. (Ord. 433 § 6.20, 1997)
17.30.030 Lot/yard minimum standards.
(1) Minimum lot area: 13,500 square feet or per health code if a private septic system is being utilized rather than access to a state approved sewer system such as that operated by the city of Forks. For multiple-family dwellings, there shall be a minimum of 3,000 square feet per dwelling unit on each lot.
(2) Minimum lot depth: 90 feet.
(3) Minimum lot width: 70 feet.
(4) Minimum Front Yard. Minimum front yard setback shall be 20 feet from the applicable lot line when considering the extension, expansion, or replacement of existing buildings and the construction of new buildings. However, upon a finding by the city building inspector that no impairment would occur to the public’s safety, or the ability of fire fighters or police to access the property in the event of an emergency, this setback may be administratively reduced by said official to 15 feet. Such a decision shall also be based upon the existing lot size and/or existing building placement.
(5) Minimum Side Yard. Minimum side yard setback shall be five feet from the applicable lot line when considering the extension, expansion, or replacement of existing buildings and the construction of new buildings.
(6) Minimum Rear Yard. Minimum rear yard setback shall be 10 feet from the applicable lot line when considering the extension, expansion, or replacement of existing buildings and the construction of new buildings. However, upon a finding by the city building inspector that no impairment would occur to the public’s safety, or the ability of fire fighters or police to access the property in the event of an emergency, this setback may be administratively reduced by said official to five feet.
In determining setback requirements within this district, all measurements shall utilize as their beginning point the structure’s footprint closest to the lot line for which the setback is being determined. The minimum zone size shall be 20 acres. (Ord. 481 § 3, 2001; Ord. 433 § 6.30, 1997)
17.30.040 Height/density regulations.
(1) Maximum Building Height.
(a) Maximum building height shall be 32 feet. However, said height restriction can be exceeded upon obtaining written prior approval from the designee of the fire district that the building shall not constitute a fire hazard that could not be addressed by the fire district, as well as a written statement that the manner in which the building is being proposed for construction will not constitute a threat to public safety. In addition, any such building would be required to meet the Uniform Building Code’s wind and fire protection requirements. Written approval from the designee of the fire district shall accompany any building permit application for a building exceeding this height restriction. In some cases, a building exceeding the height restriction may also be subject to the State Environmental Policy Act which could result in the height restriction being required for reasons associated with environmental concerns.
(b) In no case, does permission from the designee of the fire district equate to permission to proceed with construction from the city.
(c) The above does not apply to those structures (mechanical appurtenances, chimneys, water tanks, etc., constituting no more than 15 percent of the total building or site area) noted within FMC 17.75.090. Regarding those types of structures, approval of the Forks planning commission shall still be required.
(2) Maximum Density. In granting a conditional use permit for multiple-family structures, the Forks planning commission shall determine that the proposed multiple-family dwelling structure, together with any existing development and anticipated future development of permitted uses within the block in which the development is proposed will not result in a density level exceeding five dwelling units per acre. In considering planned unit developments the density in this area shall not exceed five units per acre. (Ord. 446 § 1, 1998; Ord. 433 § 6.40, 1997)