09-27-2004 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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W2-2830 September 20, 2004 Page 1 of 4 To: From: Date: Subject: Chair Rahn and Planning Commission Members Ron Moorse, City Administrator Janice Gundlach, City Planner^ September 16,2004 02-2830, City of Orono, Building Height Code Amendment - Public Hearing Application Summary: The City of Orono is requesting that the current building height code be amended to reflect the current policies which have been in place since 2001 or earlier and which have been written as a policy statement since November of 2002. The proposed new building height language will clarify the following: 1. Height shall meet the l-Yi story limitation AND the 30 ’ limitation, 2. A definition for half-story is added, and 3. The measurement of the highest point is clarified where dormers and windows exist within the roof svstem. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the code amendment be adopted in an attempt to clarify for the public how building height is determined and because these current policies are already being enforced. Pertinent Zoning Ordinance Sections A number of code sections are affected by the amendment. Section 78-1 which contains the building height definition will be amended to include the 2 main policies which have been in effect since 2002. Secondly, each zoning district section where building height is clarified will be amended to state “...shall not exceed 2- '/i stories and shall not exceed 30 feet in height...” rather th,nn the current language of “...shall not exceed 2 'A stories or 30 feet in height...” This is a change from including this clarification in the building height definition. Staff feels this method is a better “fix ” as it would be clarified in each zoning district section of the Code rather than only in the definition section. Also, note that the language for Section 78-825 (d) lists a height of 40 feet. Tnis is not a typo as this section regulates the Industrial District which allows for 3-stories/40 foot height. Staff thought it was appropriate at this point to clari.y the 3 stories and the 40 feet restriction. New language in Section 78-1 will define a half story. The current code allows for half stories however, staff has been struggling with what defines the actual half story. This definition was compiled from other published half story definitions and written to most accurately reflect the discussion on this topic by the Planning Commission over the last two years. i