Item Coversheet


Town of Arlington, Massachusetts


Article 29
Warrant Article Title:

ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT / PARKING IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

Warrant Article Text:

To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 6.1.10.A of the Zoning Bylaw, to amend and clarify standards for the location of parking in Residential districts; or take any action related thereto.

Requested by:

Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board

 
Report Excerpt:

VOTE: Favorable Action (5-0) 

 

DISCUSSION
At the request of the Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), Article 29 proposes revisions to Section 6.1.10.A, Parking in Residential Districts, to increase readability, provide new guidance on dimensional standards for required vegetated buffers for side yard driveways and proximity of driveways to intersections, and clarify the required finding to allow second driveways for one- to three-family dwellings in the R0, R1, R2, R3 and R4 districts. Article 29 primarily reorganizes and reformats the existing text for clarity and ease of reference, while adding two new dimensional requirements: 

 
(1) a driveway cannot be closer than 20 feet to an intersection, except by Special Permit; and
(2) the required vegetated buffer for side yard driveways when abutting a residential lot shall be a minimum of 2.5 feet in width, or 1.5 feet in width with a minimum height of 4 feet, except as excluded by Section 5.3.12.B – Traffic Visibility for Driveways.

 
Proposed amendments to Section 6.1.10.A.(2) clarify the conditions under which a second driveway may be allowed, including the requirement that the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists must be considered, and the requirement to preserve Protected Trees as defined in Town Bylaws. Also proposed is a new, non-exclusive list of factors focused on traffic circulation and safety for the ZBA to consider when rendering a decision on second driveways.

Vote Language:

2/3 Vote Required

 

That the Zoning Bylaw be and hereby is amended as follows:
 
Amend SECTION 6.1.10, Location of Parking Spaces, Subsection A, as follows:

 
A. Parking in Residential Districts.

 
(1) For single-family, two-family, duplex, and three-family dwellings in all Residential Districts:

 
a) Required off-street parking spaces shall are not be permitted in the area between the front lot line and the minimum front setback except on a driveway not exceeding 20 feet in width leading to the required parking space(s) that on a corner lot of less than 6,000 square feet the required off-street parking spaces are permitted in the longer of the two front yards, up to a maximum of 24 feet in width.

 
b) OffRequired off-street parking spaces are is permitted in (1) the side yard and rear yard on a paved driveway area, or in the case of a corner lot of less than 6,000 square feet in the longer of the two front yards, up to a maximum of 24 feet in width, or (2) in an attached or detached garage, or (3) and in a garage located within the foundation of a dwelling provided the garaging garage is specifically designed for that purpose.

 
c) Parking spaces in addition to those required by Section 6.1.4 of this Bylaw are allowed on a paved driveway meeting the requirements of this Section 6.1.10.A. and in a garage specifically designed for that purpose.

 
d) A driveway leading to off-street parking cannot exceed 20 feet in width. A driveway leading to off-street parking cannot be closer than 20 feet to an intersection, except by Special Permit. Any Further, a driveway leading to off-street parking on a lot cannot exceed a 15% downward slope, as measured from the farthest point from the front property line, except by Special Permit. A space designed for parking within an existing garage is determined to meet the requirements of an off-street parking space.

 
e) SideTo minimize visual impacts, side yards used for parking shall have a vegetated buffer when abutting a lot used for residential purposes. , to minimize visual impacts. Except as altered by Special Permit, such vegetated buffer shall be a minimum of two and one-half feet in width, or if its width is less than two and one-half feet it must have a minimum height of 4 feet, except no such buffer shall be over two and one-half feet in height above the adjacent ground within five feet of the front lot line unless it can be shown that such buffer will not restrict visibility in such a way as to hinder the safe entry of a vehicle from the driveway to the street.

 

(2) For single-family, two-family, duplex, and three-family dwellings in R0, R1, R2, R3 and R4 districts:

 
a) not more than Only one driveway shall be is permitted on a lot unless there is a finding by the Special Permit Granting Authority for the development finds that a second driveway, or a driveway that makes more than one intersection with the street, may be added in a manner that:

i. aAvoids an undue concentration of population,
ii. aAllows adequate provision of transportation,
iii. Allows for the safety of those using the street and sidewalk, and
iv. Preserves Protected Trees as defined in Town Bylaws,
v. cConserves the value of land and buildings in the vicinity., and
vi. Does not violate any other In no case may a second driveway for a single-family, two-family, duplex, or three-family dwelling violate any other driveway, parking, dimensional, or density regulations requirements for the district in which it is located. For single-family, two-family, duplex, and three-family dwellings in R0, R1, R2, R3, and R4 districts, not more than two driveways are permitted.

 

b) In making the findings required by subsection 6.1.10.A.(2)a), the Special Permit Granting Authority shall consider relevant factors that may include, among other relevant factors:

i. The functional classification and traffic volumes on the affected street or streets;
ii. Whether the affected street or streets are one-way or two-way;
iii. Proximity to signalized or unsignalized intersections;
iv. Sight lines;
v. Potential conflicts with others using the street and sidewalk; and
vi. The presence of children or others who may be unable to protect themselves from roadway dangers.

 

c) No more than two driveways are permitted on a lot.