From
Monica Espinoza
Title
Accessory Structures - Review and discuss regulations for accessory structures, focusing on size, flexibility on required materials and administrative variances. Review of proposed Unified Development Code amendment language.
Presenter
Rashad Jackson, Planning and Development Director
Recommended Action
Review and Provide Direction
Analysis
At the 7-21-20 CCDC meeting, staff presented an overview on Unified Development Code (UDC) accessory building regulations. Staff recommended an amendment to the regulations to address the noted issues below. Staff was directed to review our current accessory building standards against other benchmark communities and draft possible revisions for review.
1. Changes in state law prohibit cities from requiring certain building materials. The City amended the UDC to comply with state law. The UDC recommends materials for buildings but requires specific materials for accessory structures.
2. Grand Prairie has several neighborhoods with half-acre or one-acre lots. These lots are much larger than the minimum lot area for most single-family residential districts. However, the requirements for accessory structures are the same for all single-family residential districts. For example, a detached garage cannot exceed 750 sq. ft. Whether it is on a 7,200 sq. ft. lot or a 21,780 sq. ft. lot.
3. The Planning Division receives a high volume of variance requests each month and the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) approves a majority of these requests each month. This means that citizens must seek a variance (at considerable time, effort, and expense) when the variance is usually granted. According to zoning best practices, a high number of variances and approval rate means that a city should evaluate the variance