Planning commission backs amendments to yard encroachment rules in zoning ordinance

The Muskegon City Planning Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 13 to recommend to the City Commission updates to section 23.07 of the city zoning ordinance addressing permitted yard encroachments. The staff-initiated amendment clarifies language about porches that encroach into front setbacks, permits steps to encroach further into setback areas, and deletes a provision that applied to subdivisions that were largely developed prior to 1940.

Planning Department staff described the amendment as a "clean up" to correct unclear or obsolete language carried over from prior zoning rules and zoning reform. "This amendment is to clarify some information in the permitted yard encroachment section of the ordinance," staff said, adding that the deletion removes an item staff could not locate in practice.

No public comments were received during the hearing. A commissioner moved to recommend the amendment to the City Commission; the motion was supported and passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners present voting yes.

The recommendation now goes to the Muskegon City Commission for final action.