Glendale aldermen to consider porch, home size proposals

GLENDALE Glendale aldermen agreed on Monday night to consider two zoning code changes, designed to address building trends and protect neighborhood aesthetics.

One proposal would allow front porches that do not encroach more than 10 feet into a home's set back area to be approved administratively, without a public hearing.

"We have requests for these porch additions, and they are almost always approved by the board of adjustment. We would be saving time, the costs of a stenographer and other things," Jaysen Christensen, city administrator, told aldermen Monday night. A proposal will be before aldermen in March.

The second would restrict the size of single-family homes to a smaller percentage of lot size, with an eye toward preserving the street scene to protect neighboring property values, especially where infill re-development is popular. Building height limitations may be added to account for ground slope. "A home may be built to please those who will live inside, but the neighbors have to live with it too," said Jeff Fernhoff, chair of the architectural review board and the planning and zoning commission. "We look to keep proposed homes quaint and sized appropriately."

Christensen said he will get more information, particularly from neighboring municipalities, before developing proposed legislation.

Aldermen have given tentative approval to a renewed fire protection service contract with Warson Woods, for the five-year period beginning April 1, but were awaiting approval by that city's board. The renewal would be priced at $263,000 annually with a cost of living adjustment each spring, beginning this year. Glendale has provided fire service to the neighboring city since 1948.

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Glendale aldermen to consider porch, home size proposals