Applicant Response to Staff Report PZCONGER MANAGEMENT GROUP
February 15, 2014
City of Meridian -Planning and Zoning Department
Bill Parsons
33 E. Broadway Ave.
Meridian, ID 83642
Re: ZOA-14-001: UDC Text Amendment
Dear Mr. Parsons,
We are in receipt of the Staff Report for this UDC Text Amendment that recommends approval of
the reduced side yard setbacks in an R15 zone.
Our only dispute would be with "Section UDC 11-2A-3D Encroachment Allowed in Any Setback".
We respectfully disagree with the recommended condition that no encroachments would be
allowed in the R15 Zone with setbacks less than 5 feet. As we understand it, the basis of this
recommendation is that Staff believes the administration of encroachments would be difficult.
We have discussed this issue internally and believe that there is an easy approach to allowing
these encroachments with the text amendment and it is as follows:
- Encroachment in an R15 Zone with side yard setbacks less than 5 feet shall be allowed with a
maximum encroachment of 1 foot.
The reasoning and support of this encroachment condition is as follows:
The maximum 1 foot encroachment would be part of the UDC and would be simple for staff to
review and approve during the building permit process. This would eliminate staff's concern
that the administration would be difficult.
The current code allows fora 2 foot encroachment with a side yard setback of 5 feet that
typically has a fence on that lot line. The allowable "access space" is 3 feet per the current
code requirements. With the reduced setback not allowing side yard fencing, the proposed
allowable "access space" would be 4 feet (6' between structures less the two 1'
encroachments). In this proposal we would be increasing the "access space" from 3 feet to 4
feet.
One final note is that we would like to correct the Applicant's (Tahoe Homes) noticing address.
This address should be 1979 N. Locust Grove, Meridian 83646. We apologize for placing this
incorrectly on the application form.
In summary, we request that the conditions of approval be modified to allow for a maximum 1 foot
encroachment with the UDC Text Amendment. Thank you for your consideration on this matter,
please contact me with any questions at 208-713-2527.
Sincerely,
~'~~~/
Jim D. Conger
President
JDC/dj