A. Purpose: The spacing of buildings and structures away from property lines, rights-of-way, physical hazards and natural features such as streams and other buildings, are essential elements of land use planning and of urban design. In particular, setbacks may provide for privacy, light, shadow, air movement, passive and active space, vegetation and also contribute directly to physical and psychological well being. Setbacks should vary proportionally depending upon the size and shape of the properties and also upon the type of the existing and proposed land use. In some instances setbacks should be uniform assuming there is a specific desired outcome for the setback, such as protection of views, public safety, economic development, etc. In other instances, variability and flexibility of setback may produce equally important outcomes such as the protection of natural features, aesthetically pleasing streetscapes, creativity in architectural design, and retention of fragile housing stock or other important goals. Due to the evolution of housing styles over the last few decades, the relative high value of land within the community, the desire for architectural creativity, and especially the dramatic increase in average house size, setbacks shall be applied within a flexible envelope.
B. Implementation: Averaging of setbacks in all yard areas shall be allowed as shown below. Variations across the setback line may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the minimums required. Calculation of the average shall require at least ten (10) equally spaced measurements across any one "building line", as defined in section 13.04.040 of this title, and shown in figure 13.14.051 of this subsection.
The average setback is calculated using the length of 10 equidistant points along the building line perpendicular to the lot line.
(Ord. 2012-15, 9-20-2012)