Title
Ordinance to Amend and Reenact Chapter 4, Section 4-106(2) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia Entitled, “R-4 District - One Family Residential” by amending Section 4-106(2) Pertaining to Porch Encroachments Into The Side Yard Setback
Purpose
Background Statement:
Since implementation of the various projects within the R-4 Districts, One Family Residence, developers and staff have encountered difficulties applying the intent of the R-4 regulations on corner lots. Specifically, the guidelines and the companion policy, “A Pattern Book for Hampton,” encourage entrances and porches, facing public rights-of-way. The ordinance currently accounts for and accommodates the projection of front porches, but does not allow a similar projection into a side yard that fronts on a public street. The proposed amendment affords the same projection allowance for side yards as front yards, which will enable unenclosed porches to occur on the side of a residence, which in many instances serve as a “second front”. The idea of creating a “second front” can be found in the Pattern Book and seen on corner lots in many of Hampton’s older neighborhoods.
Porches are important to the character of neighborhoods and an integral element of good streets, maintaining “eyes on the street.” The concept of “eyes on the street” refers to stimulating positive street activity or activity around the home adjacent to the street, which creates an atmosphere for self-policing that can help to deter criminal and anti-social behaviors. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) employs similar design principles; designing streets and neighborhoods to increase pedestrian/bicycle activity and orienting windows and spaces (e.g. porches) toward streets. In addition to activating the street, another benefit of street-facing porches includes greater architectural character and detailing on both street-facing facades.
This zoning ordinance amendment is a companion amendment to ZOA No.17-00013, which speaks specifically to permitting unenclosed porches with a roof to project into the required side yard up to a maximum of eight (8) feet, but no closer than ten (10) feet to the side property line in all districts. Section 4-106 (2) of this Ordinance speaks specifically to side yard setbacks within the R-4 District, One Family Residence only. The R-4 District currently does not permit projections into the side yard setback. This amendment will permit an unenclosed porch with a roof to project into the required side yard up to a maximum of eight (8) feet, bringing it in line with the proposed provision for projections into the side yard setback in all districts (Section 1-23 (5)). This change would be consistent with the current front yard setback encroachment.
As this change will forward the City’s Housing Initiative and better align with the recommendations of A Pattern Book for Hampton through provisions for activating streets and higher quality design, staff recommends approval of the draft language that will allow unenclosed porches to extend into the required side yard.
Recommendations:
Rec
Staff Recommendation:
Approve
Planning Commission Recommendation:
Approve
Body
Whereas, the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice so require;
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia that Chapter 4 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia, be amended and re-enacted as follows:
Sec. 4-106. - Building setback regulations.
. . . .
(2) Side yard.
. . . .
(b) The side yard setback shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) feet for single-family homes on a corner lot. Unenclosed porches with a roof may project into this required side yard a maximum of eight (8) feet.
. . . .