Agenda Date: 05/19/2020
Subject:
Title
Ordinance 17-2020: An ordinance on second reading amending Littleton City Code Title 7, Section 7-3-5 and Title 10, Sections 10-1-2, 10-1-8, 10-1-9, 10-3-1, 10-3-2, 10-4-1, 10-4-4, 10-4-9, and 10-12-4 with the intent of clarifying development regulations and improving public engagement processes
Body
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Prepared By: |
Mike Sutherland, Deputy Director, Community Development Department |
PURPOSE:
On February 4, 2020, Council enacted two temporary moratoriums restricting applications for new auto-oriented businesses and new multi-unit residential developments within Downtown Littleton for staff to develop various amendments to the Littleton City Code to provide better alignment with the Comprehensive Plan. Staff is requesting approval of the proposed amendments to the Littleton City Code prior to expiration of the moratoriums.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Jennifer Henninger, Community Development Director and
Mike Sutherland, Deputy Director, Community Development
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
City staff is proposing 12 amendments to two titles and ten sections of the Littleton City Code to address concerns related to public engagement, development regulations, allowed uses, and parking and to provide additional alignment between the Littleton City Code and the adopted Comprehensive Plan goals and policies within these areas of concern.
City staff posted the proposed amendments on the Littleton Plans website and sent a survey to all those who signed-up for updates through the web page. There were 13 respondents to the survey. The respondents generally had a positive view of the proposed amendments.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
City Council and Planning Commission have held several study sessions related to the proposed amendments to the Littleton City Code. These have occurred on 12/10/2019, 1/7/2020, 1/13/2020, and 2/11/2020. City Council and Planning Commission provided staff with direction on ways to clarify proposed code changes.
On April 13, 2020, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing to consider the proposed ordinance. Following the hearing, Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance with the following conditions:
1. that construction on weekends and holidays be limited to starting at 9:00 a.m.;
2. (in Exhibit A) under 10-1-2 Definitions under Setback (A), delete reference to cantilevered windows, cantilevered fireplaces, and similar architectural features; and
3. (in Exhibit A) under 10-1-2 Definitions delete Setback paragraph (A) 2.
Staff modified Exhibit A to address each of Planning Commission’s conditions.
Passed on first reading at May 5, 2020 city council meeting.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
In summary, staff is proposing the following amendments to the Littleton City Code:
• Add or revise definitions for:
o Buildings
o Multiple Family Dwellings (including condominiums)
o Building Height
o Setbacks (and allowed encroachments)
o Townhouses
• Expand the Preliminary Project Plan Process (P4)
• Add resident addresses to the public hearing notification process
• Make auto-oriented uses conditional in Downtown Littleton with a public hearing process
• Update sight-distance triangle regulations
• Update accessory structure regulations
• Update parking stall dimensions and accessible parking space requirements
Except for auto-oriented uses, the proposed regulations will apply to all of Littleton. Proposed allowed setback encroachments and some updates to accessory structure regulations may not apply to previously approved Planned Development zoning districts.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
One of Council’s top goals for 2020 and 2021 is the adoption of a Unified Land Use Code. The proposed amendments are intended as a bridge to allow land development projects to continue while the Unified Land Use Code engagement, formulation, and adoption process continues. The proposed code amendments address several specific comprehensive plan goals and policies related to:
• Land Use and Character
• Housing and Neighborhoods
• Transportation Master Plan
• Environment
• Economy and Tax Base and
• Special Areas and Design
Fiscal Impacts
Since the proposed amendments do not fundamentally change development regulations, city staff does not believe there are any fiscal impacts to city budgets.
Alternatives
If council denies the proposed amendments, there is risk of continued development that does not align with the Envision Littleton Comprehensive Plan and potential risk from not acting during the moratorium period.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of proposed Ordinance 17-2020.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Ordinance No. 17-2020 on second reading amending Littleton City Code Title 7, Section 7-3-5 and Title 10, Sections 10-1-2, 10-1-8, 10-1-9, 10-3-1, 10-3-2, 10-4-1, 10-4-4, 10-4-9, and 10-12-4 with the intent of clarifying development regulations and improving public engagement processes.