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Department Approval: ~ Item Description: REQUEST FOR PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION DATE: 08/10/98 ITEM NO:6k Agenda Section: HEARINGS Proposed text amendments to City Code Section 1013.02C (Minor Variances) and Section 1012.02 (Required Yards and Open Space) PF3~ 1.0 BackQround The City Council has requested Planning Commission and staff to amend the City Code regarding minor variance procedures and setbacks, required yards and open space. The Council would like an alternative to the current process that sends numerous (approximately 50) minor variances and blanket variances - usually setback issues - to the Council annually in which it is difficult to determine "physical hardship". Yet, it is necessary to review the "practical hardship" and encourage residential property owners to continue investing and upgrading their properties. Council members have asked for more clear language and more consistency in the reviews of variances, as well as a streamlined process that reduces time and cost for the applicant. 2.0 Alternatives 2.1 Staff has proposed a method of issuing "setback permits" that would eliminate the need to hold a hearing and find a "physical hardship". A copy of that proposal is attached. 2.2 Another alternative is to change (make less restrictive) the setback requirements in the code, specifying permitted types of encroachments such as porches, garages, driveways, and rear yard setbacks. This implies that little or no additional setback variances would be allowed except where a "physical hardship" could clearly be demonstrated. However, those areas where the code is proposed to change would allow closer encroachments with little or no review. 2.3 A third alternative is to simply redefine "physical hardship". This may require new state legislation and changes to state statutes, as well as changes to the Roseville City Code. I