ROBERTSDALE, Alabama —The Robertsdale City Council voted Tuesday to approve changes to the city’s land use ordinance regarding accessory structure setbacks.

The changes to the ordinance were made based on recommendations from the city’s Planning Commission and would give landowners more options for secondary buildings on smaller lots, said City Engineer Greg Smith.

“A lot of the variance requests that come before the Planning Commission are smaller lots with limited space,” Smith said.

Changes to the ordinance include:

• Changing the setback for buildings less than 15 feet in height from 10 feet to 5 feet. Structures over 15 feet will retain the 10-foot setback.

• Changing the requirement of allowing a detached accessory building to be constructed on not more than 30 percent of the rear yard taking out language that required the structure to be not more than one story in height.

• Adding language requiring that a structure not be located in the required front yard of a lot or on a lot by itself to include that the structure can also be built no closer than 20 feet to a public street or right-of-way.

• Adding a stipulation that a detached accessory building may be no taller than the principal structure located on the same site, unless approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustments by special exception. “We will allow variances on a case by case basis,” Smith said.

The council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 001-12, first voting to suspend the rules, then approving the measure by roll-call vote.

In other business Tuesday, the Council:

• Voted to donate $200 to the Central Baldwin Basketball League.

• Rescheduled its 8 a.m. meeting Jan. 16 to Jan. 17 because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.