Title
Ordinance to Amend and Re-Enact the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Hampton, Virginia by Amending Chapter 1 Entitled, “General Provisions” Pertaining to Impervious Area and Minimum Green Area Requirements for All One and Two Family Residences
Purpose
Background Statement:
Requests that the city regulate vehicles parked on lawns have made by multiple neighborhood groups and individual citizens over the past several years. In 2012, City staff formally began the outreach effort to create an ordinance that balanced the interests of all citizens. With the beginning of the Resilient Hampton efforts, staff saw an opportunity to combine new green area requirements with the regulation of vehicle parking in residential areas.
If approved, this amendment would set a minimum green area requirement for all lots with a one-family, two-family, or a duplex dwelling as the primary use or proposed primary use. This requirement applies to front and side yards that are between the primary structure and a public or private street, known as street frontage yards. When a street frontage area is less than ¼ acre, the minimum green area shall be 50%. When a street frontage area is ¼ acre or greater but less than ½ acre, the minimum green area shall be 60%. When a street frontage area is ½ acre or greater but less than 1 acre, the minimum green area shall be 70%. When a street frontage area is 1 acre or greater, the minimum green area shall be 75%. If a street frontage area is so small that the required green area would prevent a lot from having a driveway, and that lot does not have alley access for vehicles, a 12’x 25’ driveway and 3’ wide walkway will be permitted.
This amendment also creates a requirement that a zoning permit be issued for all new impervious surface otherwise exempted from obtaining a building permit. Previously, only impervious area within the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Overlay or in a designated green area required a zoning permit.
If approved, ...
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