HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9322INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 9322
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 9, 2010
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Page 1 of 2
f.» SUBJECT: PROPOSED BOAT DOCK ORDINANCE FOR LAKE WORTH
The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with information concerning a proposed Zoning
Ordinance text amendment that would create regulations for boat docks and similar structures on Lake
Worth.
The City of Fort Worth has granted a Water Use and Access Easement to residential owners and lessees
of property on Lake Worth. This easement provides certain rights "for water recreational purposes, for the
purpose of ingress and egress to and from Lake Worth, and for the construction, maintenance, and use of
piers, docks and boat houses including the storage of boats." A permitted structure may be built within
these easements, which extend into the water a distance of up to 200 feet depending on water depth.
In 2008, the Water Department determined that standards were needed to regulate the size, location, and
use of these structures, since Lake Worth is a source of City drinking water. Staff had experienced an
increased interest from property owners in building large boat docks with outdoor living areas and was
concerned about the effects on water quality. Staff formed a Lake Worth Boat Dock Steering Committee
to receive input from property owners in neighborhoods around the lake. Staff also placed a moratorium
on dock permits in order to develop and adopt new standards.
The Law Department has determined that the boat docks should be regulated through the Zoning
Ordinance. This allows existing docks to be granted legal nonconforming status as necessary and allows
owners to apply to the Board of Adjustment if they are unable to comply with the standards for new dock
construction. Dock construction would continue to be subject to building codes as required for all
construction.
Earlier this year, the Planning and Development Department, in cooperation with the Water Department
and Law Department, issued a new set of draft dock standards for review by the Steering Committee.
Staff's current proposal is more restrictive than the one issued in late 2008 and has generated differing
opinions from neighborhood associations and property owners on the lake. The primary concerns relate
to dock size, allowing a second story, and allowing enclosure. In response to these comments, staff has
incorporated minor changes for dock size and has allowed second stories. Staff does not recommend
allowing dock enclosure, given the inability to view uses within the enclosure and the negative effect on
views from the shore and from the lake.
PROPOSED STANDARDS
• The maximum size of a dock/structure is based on the property's shoreline frontage.
_ Shoreline Fronhgi-
Ilnear
Maximum Structure Sim
(SquarwfoW-
Up to 80 feet
800 square feet
81 to 160 feet
Linear feet of shoreline x 10
161 feet or more
1,600 square feet
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 9322
�Tt1
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 9, 2010
�O Page 2 of 2
,.» SUBJECT: PROPOSED BOAT DOCK ORDINANCE FOR LAKE WORTH
• Structures may be two stories. A sundeck over the dock does not count toward the maximum dock
size. Any area under a permanent roof on the second level will be counted in measuring the dock
size. If, due to topography, the peak of the second level roof is lower than the foundation of the
primary house, then the maximum dock size may be increased by 50 percent.
• One walkway, up to six (6) feet in width, is allowed and is not included in the structure size
calculation. The walkway shall extend to only one structure.
• The total shoreline frontage of one or more lots may be used to determine the maximum area of a
dock only if the primary residence crosses the lot line(s) by at least one (1) foot.
• The minimum side -yard setback within the water access easement is based on the property's
shoreline frontage.
S�it�rHttq rontae
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Up to 50 feet
5 feet
51 -100 feet
10% of shoreline linear feet
101 feet or more
10 feet
• Structures on a cove shall occupy no more than 1/3 of the cove width and in no case shall be
located within 10 feet of the centerline of the cove.
• Enclosed structures are prohibited. Solid side walls may extend two feet down from the top plate of
the structure.
• An enclosed storage area shall be allowed on the first floor (lower deck) of a structure with a
maximum size of 32 square feet.
• A structure will be allowed without an existing residential use on the property.
A briefing will provided to the Zoning Commission concerning the boat dock standards on November 10.
The public hearing at the Zoning Commission is scheduled for December 8, with a public hearing and
consideration by the City Council on January 4, 2011.
If you have any questions, please contact Dana Burghdoff, Deputy Director, Planning and Development, at
817- 392 -8018.
aeA.Fi eer,P.E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS