Council OKs New Round of Post-Sandy Zoning Relief

City Council on Thursday gave final approval to its second revised zoning ordinance of 2013 to make it easier for property owners to elevate, rebuild and repair in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

The ordinance addresses 10 sections, including decks (existing, nonconforming decks can be elevated where they are within one foot of adjacent habitable space), pergolas (open rafters or trellis work will not be considered roofs) and crawlspaces (extended limitations on use of them as storage space). 

The attached PDF includes the full text of the revised ordinance and an explanation of the changes (minor changes were made to the text in the attached PDF before final passage).

Before the vote on Thursday, Leyte Lane resident Jim O'Rourke asked council members to consider the ramifications of a part of the new ordinance that would allow lagoon-front decks to rise above bulkhead level. O'Rourke said the new ordinance could create significant disruptions to views of the water from neighboring properties.

The amendments to allow higher decks were included to accommodate homes that potentially will be elevated to meet flood zone requirements.

Councilman Michael DeVlieger suggested that decks could remain at bulkhead level with an extra step leading to the adjacent house. That section was removed before the ordinance was passed. A revised version will be considered in one of the future zoning relief ordinances in the works.

The ordinance was approved in a 6-0 vote (with Councilman Scott Ping absent).