Title
Consider public testimony regarding, and an ordinance rezoning 27 properties generally located along East Liberty Avenue and East Austin Avenue east of North Nelson Street from SF-2 (Single-family - standard lot) district to SF-D (Single-family - downtown) district. (First reading)*
Body
This item will rezone 27 properties in east downtown from SF-2 (Single-family - standard lot) to the newly created SF-D (Single-family - downtown) district. The SF-2 zoning district is designed for the typical, modern suburban neighborhood, which brings about issues when applied to significantly older portions of the city that have been occupied by homes since before the district existed. These homes are usually built closer to the street than permitted by the SF-2 district, the lots on which they sit are smaller than permitted, and most of them lack garages, making many of them legally non-conforming. This severely hinders a homeowner who might want to expand their home or build a new one.
The SF-D district contains standards to allow these homes and lots to come into conformity and have room for the homeowner to perform desired improvements. The front setback is contextual, meaning new homes or additions to the front of an existing home shall be at a similar depth on the lot as other homes on the same block. The minimum lot size is 4,356 square feet, which is one-tenth of an acre, and is small enough to accommodate every lot in the proposed new zoning district. The SF-D district also contains architectural standards to ensure new construction and renovations are compatible with the existing neighborhood, which has historic character not found in any other single-family zoning district in the city.
Staff has proposed the district to encompass three blocks in the eastern downtown neighborhood. The blocks to the north of the proposed district contain larger lots with relatively newer homes which conform to the SF-2 district and need not be included. A few lots to the no...
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