(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council passed the third and final reading on Wednesday, allowing stand-alone garages on qualifying vacant lots.
The resolution aims to address residents’ need for additional storage, increase taxable valuation, and make better use of vacant infill lots that generate little or no tax revenue while still requiring city maintenance.
Under the former zoning, garages were considered accessory buildings and had to be located on the same lot as a main building. The new ordinance allows garages on qualifying vacant lots similar to the district in Watertown, South Dakota.
The Planning and Zoning Commission said the proposal could meet market demand, improve the appearance and maintenance of vacant lots, and add some property value. The commission also noted it could provide an alternative to costly neighborhood-clearing efforts or subsidized housing in areas where demand for new homes is weak.
The commission acknowledged the additional tax revenue could be modest, but said generating some value from vacant property is preferable to leaving lots undeveloped while the city continues to maintain surrounding infrastructure.
The ordinance requiresd three readings before becoming official.
