By Mary Knaub | Yuma Sun
The Yuma Planning and Zoning Commission is on board with a proposal to update the city’s development standards for lot coverage, setbacks, open space and height requirements within residential zoning districts.
The seven-member commission unanimously agreed to recommend approval of the proposals.
The goal of the text amendment is to relax certain standards and offer new development opportunities while also encouraging an increase in residential density.
“The City of Yuma is continually exploring opportunities to improve development within the community,” a staff report stated.
With this proposed text amendment, the city seeks to increase residential lot coverage allowances, reduce the setbacks for medium- and high-density residential development, establish open space requirements for multifamily development and increase height allowances for development within the High-Density Residential (R-3) District.
In regards to lot coverage, the proposed project will streamline the lot coverage allowances, increasing them across the board while also making it easier for people to fully build out their property according to the zoning district.
An example of that is in the low density residential district, noted Alyssa Linville, director of planning and neighborhood services. She explained that the code currently allows a maximum lock coverage of 35% with a 600-square-foot bonus for any covered parking that’s provided. The city would like to eliminate the bonus for covered parking and simply increase the lot coverage for that district to 50%.
“We’re going to do that across the board for the residential zoning districts. So essentially, we’ll be increasing the allowable buildable area within the city of Yuma,” Linville said.
