HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Ordinance 2002-25CITY OF PLYMOUTH
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 2002-25
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF CHAPTER 21 OF THE PLYMOUTH
CITY CODE, THE PLYMOUTH ZONING ORDINANCE (2002056)
THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH ORDAINS:
Section 1. Amendments. The text of Chapter 21 of the City Code, the Plymouth
Zoning Ordinance, is hereby amended as follows:
A. SECTION 21115.04 (YARDS) IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
21115.04. YARDS: Except as provided below, no lot, yard or other open space
shall be reduced in area or dimension so as to make such lot, yard or open space less than
the minimum required by this Chapter. No required open space specified by this Chapter
to be provided for any building or structure shall be included as part of any open space
required by this Chapter for another structure.
Subd.1. The following shall not be considered as encroachments on yard
setback requirements.
(a) Cantilevers up to ten (10) feet in width, chimneys up to six (6) feet in
width, and flues, leaders, sills, pilasters, lintels, ornamental features, cornices,
eaves, gutters, and the like, provided they do not project more than two and one-
half (2-1/2) feet into a required yard. Egress window wells and their related
covers may project not more than three (3) feet into a required yard.
(b) Terraces, steps, decks, uncovered porches, stoops or similar features
provided they do not extend above the height of the ground floor level of the
principal structure and to a distance less than six (6) feet from a side or rear lot
line, or a front lot line which qualifies as an equivalent rear or side yard as defined
by this Chapter. No encroachment shall be permitted in existing or required
drainage and utility easements, unless approved by the City Engineer.
(c) Play and recreational facilities, laundry drying equipment, detached
outdoor living rooms or gazebos not exceeding five hundred (500) square feet,
and air conditioning or heating equipment not exceeding established State noise
levels may be located within: 1) a rear or side yard provided they are set back at
least six (6) feet from any lot line, and 2) a front yard which qualifies as an
equivalent rear or side yard (as defined by this Chapter) provided they are set
Ordinance 2002-25
(2002056)
Page 2
back from such front lot line a distance equal to, or greater than, the minimum
front setback specified for the principal building on the lot, and are set back at
least six (6) feet from other lot lines. No encroachment shall be permitted in
existing or required drainage and utility easements, unless approved by the City
En ineer.
Subd. 2. Required Front Yard Setback Exceptions. In the case of lots
platted prior to the date of this Chapter, the required front yard setback as established by
the respective zoning districts may be reduced, upon the approval of the Zoning
Administrator, to a distance equaling the average setback of principal buildings within
the block frontage in which the lot is located. In no case shall this distance be less than
fifteen (15) feet, nor shall a principal structure be placed more than five (5) feet beyond
the setback of any principal structure on a directly abutting lot. The Zoning
Administrator's approval shall be given as a matter of right if there is compliance with
this Chapter and any other applicable ordinance.
Subd. 3. Corner Lots. Front yard requirements shall be observed on each
street frontage of a corner lot. Where the rear boundary line of a corner lot is part of the
side boundary of a residential lot, no part of any structure or building on the corner lot
shall be nearer its street side lot line than the minimum depth of any front yard required
along such side street. In the case of a narrow corner lot where compliance with this
requirement produces an impractical depth to a structure or building, the City Council
may allow the construction of such structure as near to the street side lot line as will give
a practicable depth by approval of a conditional use permit.
Subd. 4. Required Side or Rear Yard Reduction. A required yard on a lot
may be reduced by a conditional use permit if the following conditions are met:
(a) The reduction of setback requirements is based upon a specific need or
circumstance which is unique to the property in question and which, if approved,
will not set a precedent which is contrary to the intent of this Chapter.
(b) Property line drainage and utility easements as required by the City's
Subdivision Ordinance are provided and no building will occur upon this reserved
space.
(c) The reduction will work toward the preservation of trees or unique
physical features of the lot or area.
(d) The reduction will not restrict sun access to the abutting lots.
(e) The reduction will not obstruct traffic visibility, cause a public safety
problem and complies with Section 21105.05 of this Chapter.
Ordinance 2002-25
(2002056)
Page 3
Subd. 5. Railroad Rights -of -Way. No principal residential building shall
be located within fifty (50) feet of a railroad right-of-way.
Section 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its
passage.
ADOPTED by the City Council this 25th day of June, 2002.
YceXn H ierney, Mayor
ATTEST
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andra R. Paulson, City Clerk