Platt Park

IN THE ZONE

Oct 17, 2001

In future newsletters look for this box for a discussion of city zoning ordinances and their rational. Many regulations were developed for our safety or for the good of the community while some obviously need some updating or added input from we the people. This month?’s examples:

• Did you know there is an ordinance allowing developers who retain a fraction of an original house, such as a partial brick wall, to use existing utility and storm drain permits? Never mind the change in square-footage occupancy, size of dwelling, or increased demand. Moreover, the retained wall doesn?’t have to be visible -- inside or out -- in the new house.
  
  
• Also, no public notice or posting is required before demolishing a house that has been a neighborhood feature for many decades. The contractor, a city planner informs us, can pull a demolition permit 15 minutes before tearing down the structure.
  
  
• Then again, the bulk plane for corner lots starts in the middle of the street...