Computational Law - Portico Wizard

Computational Law

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Portico Wizard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximal footprint of my building?

What is the maximal height of my building?

What is the required setback of my building?

What is the maximal shadow of my building?

Question:

Answer:

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% Chapter 18.12 - R-1 Single Family Residential District
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% 18.12.040 TABLE 2 - Residential Development Standards
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allowablefootprint(168000) :- zone(r1)
allowablefootprint(184000) :- zone(r2)
allowablefootprint(200000) :- zone(rmd)

allowableheight(350) :- zone(r1) & substandard(no) & flaglot(no) & floodzone(no)
allowableheight(400) :- zone(r1) & substandard(no) & flaglot(no) & floodzone(yes)
allowableheight(200) :- zone(r1) & substandard(yes)
allowableheight(200) :- zone(r1) & flaglot(yes)
allowableheight(375) :- zone(r2) & floodzone(no)
allowableheight(425) :- zone(r2) & floodzone(yes)
allowableheight(450) :- zone(rmd)

allowablesetback(100) :- zone(r1)
allowablesetback(80) :- zone(r2)
allowablesetback(200) :- zone(rmd)

allowableshadow(240) :- zone(r1)
allowableshadow(200) :- zone(r2)
allowableshadow(100) :- zone(rmd)

zone(Value) :- evaluate(ask(zone),Value)
substandard(Value) :- evaluate(ask(substandard),Value)
flaglot(Value) :- evaluate(ask(flaglot),Value)
floodzone(Value) :- evaluate(ask(floodzone),Value)

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% Explanation of Actual Values
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explain(footprint(C),E) :-
  stringappend("The footprint of a rectangular house is the width of the parcel (here xxx units) times the depth (here yyy units).",E)

explain(height(H),E) :-
  stringappend("The height of a house is the difference between the lowest and the highest point.",E)

explain(setback(C),E) :-
  stringappend("The setback of a house is the minimum distance between the house and the parcel boundary.",E)

explain(shadow(C),E) :-
  stringappend("The shadow line of a house is the maximum intrusion into the yard of a side neighbor determined by a 45 degrees line drawn from the house to the neighbor's yard.",E)

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% Explanation of Allowable Values
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explain(allowablefootprint(168000),E) :-
  zone(r1) & 
  stringappend("In zone R-1, the maximum footprint of a building is 168000 square units.",E)

explain(allowablefootprint(184000),E) :-
  zone(r2) & 
  stringappend("In zone R-2, the maximum footprint of a building is 184000 square units.",E)

explain(allowablefootprint(200000),E) :-
  zone(rmd) & 
  stringappend("In zone RMD, the maximum footprint of a building is 200000 square units.",E)

explain(allowableheight(350),E) :-
  zone(r1) & 
  substandard(no) &
  flaglot(no) &
  floodzone(no) &
  stringappend("In zone R-1, the allowable height for a parcel is 350 units unless the parcel is a substandard lot or a flag lot or located in a flood zone.",E)

explain(allowableheight(400),E) :-
  zone(r1) &
  substandard(no) &
  flaglot(no) &
  floodzone(yes) &
  stringappend("In zone R-1, the allowable height for a parcel in a flood zone is 400 units unless the parcel is a substandard lot or a flag lot.",E)

explain(allowableheight(200),E) :-
  zone(r1) &
  substandard(yes) &
  stringappend("In zone R-1, the allowable height for a substandard parcel is 200 units.",E)

explain(allowableheight(200),E) :-
  zone(r1) &
  flaglot(yes) &
  stringappend("In zone R-1, the allowable height for a flag lot is 200 units.",E)

explain(allowableheight(375),E) :-
  zone(r2) &
  floodzone(no) &
  stringappend("In zone RMD, the allowable height for a parcel is 375 units.",E)

explain(allowableheight(425),E) :-
  zone(r2) &
  floodzone(yes) &
  stringappend("In zone RMD, the allowable height for a parcel in a flood zone is 425 units.",E)

explain(allowableheight(450),E) :-
  zone(rmd) &
  stringappend("In zone RMD, the allowable height for a parcel is 450 units.",E)

explain(allowablesetback(100),E) :-
  zone(r1) & 
  stringappend("In zone R-1, the minimal setback on any side is 100 units.",E)

explain(allowablesetback(80),E) :-
  zone(r2) & 
  stringappend("In zone R-2, the minimal setback on any side is 80 units.",E)

explain(allowablesetback(200),E) :-
  zone(rmd) & 
  stringappend("In zone RMD, the minimal setback on any side is 200 units.",E)

explain(allowableshadow(240),E) :-
  zone(r1) & 
  stringappend("In zone R-1, the maximum shadow that can be cast on a side neighbor is 240 units.",E)

explain(allowableshadow(240),E) :-
  zone(r2) & 
  stringappend("In zone R-2, the maximum shadow that can be cast on a side neighbor is 200 units.",E)

explain(allowableshadow(240),E) :-
  zone(rmd) & 
  stringappend("In zone RMD, the maximum shadow that can be cast on a side neighbor is 100 units.",E)

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% Explanation of Illegality
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explain(illegal(footprint),E) :-
  stringappend("Illegal when the actual footprint exceeds the allowable footprint.",E)

explain(illegal(height),E) :-
  stringappend("Illegal when the actual height exceeds the allowable height.",E)

explain(illegal(setback),E) :-
  stringappend("Illegal when the actual setback is less than the allowable setback.",E)

explain(illegal(shadow),E) :-
  stringappend("Illegal when the actual shdaow exceeds the allowable shadow.",E)

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