2025-06-03 P & Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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733 Marquette Avenue, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Memorandum DATE: June 3, 2025 TO: Centerville Planning & Zoning Commission FROM: Phil Carlson, AICP, Stantec RE: Zoning Code Issues & Definitions INTRODUCTION Recently the Planning and Zoning Commission discussed a variance request that brought up issues of interpreting various definitions and standards in the Zoning Code related to setbacks, accessory buildings and swimming pools. This memorandum discusses those issues and offers possible changes to the code to address them. LAKESHORE LOTS Ï FRONT YARD It was noted in the previous discussion that common law in Minnesota for lakeshore lots considers the lake side the front yard. The City Attorney has clarified that this applies only if there are no other zoning regulations. The City has the authority (as do all Minnesota cities) to adopt its own land use regulations to dictate where structures are located and related definitions and standards. In Centerville the ÑfrontÒ is defined as being on the street and the ÑrearÒ is opposite it. Selected definitions from the current Zoning Code (red type added for emphasis) are as follows: FRONT or FRONTAGE. That side of a lot abutting on a street or way and ordinarily regarded as the front of the lot, but it shall not be considered as the ordinary sideline of a corner lot. LOT LINE, FRONT. On an interior lot, the lot line abutting a street; on a corner lot, the lot lines abutting a street; on a through lot, the lot line abutting the street providing the primary access to the lot; or, on a flag lot, the interior lot line most parallel to and nearest the street from which access is obtained. YARD, FRONT. A yard extending across the full width of the front lot between side lot lines and extending from the front property line to the depth required in the yard regulations of the district in which the lot is located. On a corner lot, both street frontages shall be considered the front. LOT LINE, REAR. The lot line not intersecting a front lot line that is most distant from and most closely parallel to the front lot line. A lot bounded by only three lot lines will not have a REAR LOT LINE. YARD, REAR. The portion of the yard on the same lot with the principal building located between the rear line of the building and the rear lot line and extending for the full width of the lot. 5