North Olmsted clarifying residential zoning codes related to carports, temporary ramps, decks and patios – cleveland.com

NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio -- Clarifying residential zoning codes involving everything from carports and recreation vehicles to temporary ramps, decks, patios and air conditioning units is what North Olmsted officials are currently hoping to achieve with a new ordinance, expected to soon be passed by City Council.

Its a bit of housekeeping when we find areas of the code that are unclear, that residents have a hard time understanding or we get variance requests with a certain frequency, North Olmsted Director of Planning and Community Development Kimberly Lieber said. This ordinance is a bundling together of a number of those issues.

One of the more substantive updates involves temporary ramps for accessibility in residential areas. As the zoning code currently reads, there is no mention of such necessary structures.

Lieber said the city wanted to provide that relief valve permitting temporary ramps on a case-by-case basis.

Its always better to establish a rule for how something can be done rather than kind of treat everything as a one-off, Lieber said. Thats a good one, especially in a community that might have some aging structures and aging residents and more people with the need for ramps into their homes while they deal with health or wellness issues.

As for patios and decks, the new ordinance differentiates between the structures normally located in the rear of homes.

They could be either covered, uncovered or a grade, so not all decks and patios are created equally, Lieber said. You can think of somebody that pours a patch of concrete in their back yard for their patio furniture or you can think of something that rises almost to the level of a home addition that might have a roof covering or something much more elaborate.

Our code really didnt distinguish between something that was impactful and something that was kind of a minor backyard improvement.

The need for the updated language involves the required rear-yard setback for any type of patio or deck that is contiguous to the dwelling.

Considering that the North Olmsted Building & Zoning Board of Appeals typically grants deck and patio variances, Lieber said the city is creating a tiered system where only the bigger structures will require approval.

The code regarding air conditioner units and generators also involves setbacks. The former now emit less noise, allowing for placement on the side of homes, while the latter can be quite loud and will require placement in the rear of the yard.

Regarding recreational vehicles parked in driveways, the North Olmsted Law Department requested that the city remove its allowance for 72 hours during any 21-day period.

They felt our current language created a cat-and-mouse situation with property-maintenance inspectors and property owners, Lieber said. It created a really difficult situation for inspectors to enforce, but the reality is we want people to be able to maintain their recreation vehicles.

If theres a cover on it and its sitting in the driveway, its clearly stored. So inspectors will use other standards to determine whether or not it meets the criteria.

While carports are still not permitted, the updated code also prohibits temporary and portable carports.

Codes should be accessible to residents, who can read and understand what their property rights are, Lieber said. We felt like a code amendment was appropriate.

Its just good practice for zoning when you find areas that might be slightly flawed or unclear to clean them up when you can.

Read more news from the Sun Post Herald.

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North Olmsted clarifying residential zoning codes related to carports, temporary ramps, decks and patios - cleveland.com