(a)

Intent. The City comprehensive plan adopted in 1998 states that "it is the policy of the City to encourage infill development in existing neighborhoods." In accordance with the comprehensive plan, it is the intent of this section to provide for the development of large, deep existing lots within the City utilizing a flag lot approach. The Planning Commission and the City Council, however, should approve this type of lot development, only after careful review of the circumstances, which lead to the conclusion that no other reasonable alternative for lot development exists.

(b)

Description. A flag lot is a parcel of land this is situated behind a lot fronting a public street and is accessible by a common or shared drive. A flag lot's front line is the same as the rear lot line of the forward or primary lot. The shared or common drive constitutes the staff and the rear lot constitutes the flag hence the term flag lot. The staff portion terminates at the flag lot's (rear lot) front line and shall be platted as part of the flag lot (rear lot). The land area required for the staff is not included as part of the minimum lot area required for development.

(c)

General requirements.

(1)

Proposed flag lots for development will be platted in accordance with the ordinance on plat subdivision contained in section 10-417. As part of the platting process, covenants will be written for the management and maintenance of the common driveway or staff portion of the flag lot.

(2)

Flag lot development will be allowed only in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts.

(3)

Only one flag lot per parcel proposed for development will be permitted.

(d)

Requirements for R-1 zoning.

(1)

Total lot area required for development (excluding the staff area): 24,000 square feet, minimum:

a.

Front lot area: 12,000 square feet minimum, excluding the staff area; and

b.

Rear lot (flag lot) area: 12,000 square feet minimum.

(2)

Lot width:

a.

Front lot: 80 feet minimum; and

b.

Rear lot: 111 feet minimum.

(3)

Utilities: All utilities, water, sewer, electric, gas, and telephone, must be available and accessible to the lot being developed.

(4)

Shared or common drive (flagpole), access strip to public street:

a.

Width: 31 feet minimum with a ten-foot setback from the side yard of the front lot line; and

b.

Depth: not to exceed the front lot line of the flag (rear) lot.

(5)

Drive surface area:

a.

Width: 16 feet with straight alignment for both lots; and

b.

Turn around at flat lot (rear lot) - hammerhead design:

1.

Depth: ten feet;

2.

Width: 20 feet; and

3.

25-foot setback from the rear lot line.

(6)

Yard and setback requirements:

a.

Front lot.

1.

Front yard:

(i)

35 feet minimum; and

(ii)

Where adjacent structures within the same block have front setbacks different from those required, the front yard minimum setback shall be the average of the adjacent structures. If there is only one adjacent structure, the front yard minimum setback shall be the average of the required setback and the setback of the adjacent structure. In no case shall the minimum front yard setback requirement exceed 35 feet.

2.

Side yard: Interior lots shall provide a side yard on each side of the dwelling of ten feet with the following exception; and on a corner lot, the width of the side yard on the street side shall be not less than 18 feet (to the minimum front yard depth required), provided this does not reduce the buildable width of a corner lot to less than 20 feet.

3.

Rear yard: 25 feet minimum or 25 percent of the lot depth, whichever is greater, or the existing rear yard of the existing residence.

b.

Flag lot; rear.

1.

Front yard: 25 feet from the rear lot line of the front lot.

2.

Side yard:

(i)

35 feet from the flag staff exterior line; and

(ii)

25 feet on the opposite side.

3.

Rear yard: 25 feet or 25 percent of the lot depth, whichever is greater.

(e)

Requirements for R-2 zoning.

(1)

Two single-family dwellings.

a.

Total lot area required for development (excluding the staff area), 20,000 square feet, minimum:

1.

Front lot area: 10,000 square feet, minimum for single-family dwelling; and

2.

Back lot (flag lot) area: 10,000 square feet, minimum for single-family dwelling.

b.

Lot width:

1.

Front lot: 75 feet minimum, excluding the staff area; and

2.

Back lot (flag lot): 106 feet, minimum.

(2)

Single-family front lot, two-family rear lot (flag lot).

a.

Total lot area required for development (excluding the staff area), 25,000 square feet:

1.

Front lot area: 10,000 square feet, minimum for single-family dwelling; and

2.

Rear lot (flag lot) area: 15,000 square feet, minimum for two-family dwelling.

b.

Lot width:

1.

Front lot: 89 feet minimum, excluding the staff area; and

2.

Flag lot (rear): 120 feet, minimum.

(3)

Two-family front, two-family rear (flag lot).

a.

Total lot area required for development (excluding the staff area), 30,000 square feet, minimum:

1.

Front lot area: 15,000 square feet, minimum; and

2.

Back lot (flag lot) area: 15,000 square feet, minimum.

b.

Lot width:

1.

Front lot: 120 feet, minimum, excluding the flag staff area; and

2.

Back lot (flag lot): 151 feet, minimum.

(4)

All other requirements found for R-1 zoning apply to R-2 zoning.

(5)

The house identification number for the flag lot (rear) shall be at the street.

(Code 2015, § 153.034; Ord. No. 184, 9-24-2002)

The City has established design guidelines for the mixed-use districts (Gateway, Downtown and Budd Avenue/Highway 12). The design guidelines reflect the development standards expected within these districts and are to be used during a project review process. The design guidelines were created under a separate cover and are referenced here as an extension of the City's codes. The City Council may amend the design guidelines by ordinance from time to time.

(Code 2015, § 153.040; Ord. No. 231, 4-13-2009; Ord. No. 273, 2-25-2013)

The City has established a complete streets policy that reflects design considerations for pedestrian and bicycle improvements as part of street and development projects within the community. The complete street policy was created under a separate cover and are referenced here as an extension of the City's codes. The City Council may amend the complete streets policy by resolution from time to time.

(Code 2015, § 153.041; Ord. No. 273, 2-25-2013)