Palm Beach is one step closer to allowing estate owners to build two guesthouses on their properties, thanks to the Town Council giving its initial approval to a new ordinance.
The ordinance would allow owners of lots roughly 1.4 acres, or larger, to build a pair of guest homes. The proposed law was among three ordinances the council approved on first reading during its April 15 meeting.
The potential new laws included an ordinance allowing certain businesses to offer so-called “tandem” parking to save space, and another governing when buildings can be demolished.
The ordinances are the latest in the town’s effort to update its aging zoning code — a process that has taken more than a year. Those changes have included the creation of a waiver system to allow owners of landmarked properties to more easily repair and renovate their homes; and new guardrails governing where a North End house could be built on its lot.
Under the guesthouse ordinance, homeowners who already have one accessory building will be allowed to build an additional one. But under the proposed law, guesthouse applications cannot be tied to a variance request to the zoning code.
Homeowners are currently not allowed to build a second guesthouse without requesting a zoning variance. If enacted, the ordinance would apply to any homeowner meeting the minimum lot-size requirement in three of the town’s residential zoning districts.
Another ordinance passed on the first reading would allow private businesses to tandem-park cars, should they have a valet-operated private parking garage. A car that is tandem-parked effectively pins another car in from behind.
Tandem parking is currently allowed only if the property owner requested a zoning variance, which would require the applicant to prove the parking technique would not have a negative impact on neighboring properties or roadways.
Instead, the ordinance unanimously approved on first reading would make the tandem-parking request a special exception. While the measure would still require the Town Council’s approval, the applicant would have less of a burden to prove the negative impact of the proposed parking operation.
A staff memo attached to the ordinance also noted that shifting approval to a special exception would allow the council to place conditions on the tandem-parking request’s approval, including screening requirements, restrictive covenants or matters related to valet services.
Officials also gave initial approval to an ordinance to extend the period during which building demolitions are prohibited.
Currently, demolition is prohibited between the Monday prior to Thanksgiving and March 31 of the following year. The ordinance under consideration would set Nov. 1 as the starting date and extend the prohibition until April 30.
A final vote on the ordinances could come as early as the council meeting on May 13.
Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at dlasa@pbdailynews.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach Town Council gives initial OK to zoning-code changes
Reporting by Diego Diaz Lasa, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
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