Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

ForemanstaffAnd that's what these amendments do. So specifically, this removes about two and a half pages of very detailed so-called operational performance standards from Article 4 of the ordinance. So those cover things like permissible noise levels and details about how to measure noise and so on. So those types of items are now contained in Chapter 38 instead, along with the rest of the noise regulations. There are some very general references to noise that are proposed to be retained in the zoning ordinance, but the specific standards and measurements are now covered elsewhere, so that material is recommended to be removed. This next item clarifies an inconsistency in the zoning ordinance text. So these amendments make it clear that detached carports are allowed,

You might not think that that is a question, but it is because the existing text is confusing. There's a conflict between how carports are treated in the accessory structures section versus how they're defined in Article 9. The amendments here clarify this. They do it by changing that Article 9 definition, making clear that carports can be a structure in addition to being as well as being an addition. And that's where the confusion is. Also take some of the detail that's currently in that Section 9.3 definition, moves it to a line item in the permitted encroachments table. And that line item deals specifically with attached carports. And that detail is better suited there. So those two amendments just make the intent of the ordinance much clearer, clean up that inconsistency.

At our work session last month, there was a question about whether we really need to keep the phrase in the carport definition that states that carports are for the shelter of motor vehicles. Now, staff does recommend keeping that provision for now for carports as well as garages. There's a similar phrase in the garage definition. And the reason is because those two types of structures are actually treated differently than general storage structures on residential lots. Now, if in the future, if the zoning ordinance is amended to make all accessory structures having similar standards then it would be no problem to remove that kind of phrase but for now there's a actually a reason to keep it and finally there are just a few miscellaneous

Kirsten LockhartMr. Chair, this motion pertains to those amendments addressing noise, carports and other miscellaneous topics. I move the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council approve the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 110, Zoning of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia, to amend portions of articles and sections contained therein, including introductory provisions, zoning districts and regulations, site development standards, development review, nonconformities and definitions. MR.