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Show Zero Lot Line WX Approves Twin Home By MARK D. MICKELSEN WOODS CROSS Twin home, zero lot line developments develop-ments will now be permitted in existing single-family residential residen-tial zones as a result of a decision deci-sion by Woods Cross city officials. offi-cials. THERE WAS no public opposition Tuesday night as city council members approved a new twin home, zero lot line ordinance permitting permit-ting traditionally low-cost housing developments in all of the city's existing residential zones. Less than half a dozen residents resi-dents attended the hearing organized to gather input from local property owners. THE NEW ordinance "will make a difference for a lot of people as to whether or not they get into a sinple-family unit," said Councilwoman Annabell Kagie. A supporter of the twin iome concept, Councilwoman Kagie explained that rcstric-'ions rcstric-'ions under the new ordiance are similar to those already included in-cluded in single-family residential re-sidential zones. THE ONLY difference is that instead of mandatory 10-foot 10-foot sideyards, there is a zero lot line separating some duplex-like units. The ordinance requires that each single-family unit be no less than 5 ,000 square feet. Duplexes Du-plexes may be no less than 10.000 feet. THE WIDTH requirements are 45 feet per unit. And units must be set back no less than 35 feet from the front lot line. At least one resident spoke out against the council's plan to require a ten-foot sideyard, saying an eight-foot limitation may discourage property owners own-ers from building accessory facilities on the lot. MAYOR LAWRENCE Urry, however, said a ten-foot sideyard will allow room for some landscaping around the units. The ordinance will restrict those accessory buildings not included as a part of the overall unit. HEIGHT restrictions on twin home, zero lot line developments de-velopments are one-and-a-half stories or 25-feet, according to the ordinance. These are the same height restrictions as in the city's R-1 , single-family residential re-sidential zone. Council members were also told that existing building codes require a firewall between be-tween zero lot line developments. develop-ments. THE COUNCIL discussed the ordinance briefly, then voted unanimously to approve the restrictions. Woods Cross attorney Keith Stahle explained that the twin home, zero lot line concept con-cept will be permitted in any existing residential zone from R-l to R-4. COUNCILWOMAN Kagie explained that a large portion of Woods Cross is zoned R-l, but said property owners are having a difficult time selling single-family units. Including twin homes in the city's residential areas will allow Woods Cross officials to avoid spot zoning, council members agreed. |