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«02XU0 <br />Sv^nbcr 20.2004 <br />f»|t I of 4 <br />To: Chair Rahn and Planning Commission Members <br />Ron Moorsc, City Administrator <br />From: Janice Gundlach. City Planner^ <br />Dale: September 16,2004 <br />Subject: 02-2830. rjiy of Orono, Building Height Code Amendment <br />• Public Hearing <br />AppHcation Summary: Hie City of Orono is requesting that the current building height <br />code be amended to reflect the current policies which have been in place since 2001 or <br />earlier and which have been written as a policy statement since November of 2002. The <br />proposed new building height language will clarify the following: <br />1. Height shall meet the 2-Vj stor>- limitation AND the 30 ’ limitation. <br />2. A definition for haIt-stor> is added, and <br />3. The measurement of the highest point is clarified where dormers and wind(»ws <br />exist w ithin the roof system. <br />Staff Recommendation: StalT recommends the code amendment be adopted in an <br />attempt to clarify for the public how building height is determined and because these <br />current policies are already being enforced. <br />Pertinent Zoning Ordinance Sections <br />A number of code sections arc affected by the amendment. Section 78-1 which contains <br />Utc building height definition w ill be amended to include the 2 main policies which have <br />been in efTect since 2002. Secondly, each zoning district section where building hcigltt is <br />clarified will be amended to state “...shall not e.xcced 2- ': stories and shall not exceed <br />30 feet in height..." rather than the current language of “...shall not e.xceed 2 '/: stones or <br />30 feet in height...’’ Ihis is a change from including this clarification in the building <br />height definition. Staff feels this method is a better “fix" as it would be clarified in each <br />zoning district section of the Code rather than only in the definition section. <br />Also, note that the language for Section 78-825 (d) lists a height of 40 feet. This is not a <br />txpo as this section regulates the Industrial District which allows for 3-'«torics'40 foot <br />height. Stair thought it was appropriate at this point to clarify the 3 stories and the 40 <br />feet restriction. <br />New language in Section 78-1 w ill define a half story . The current code allows for half <br />stories however, staff has been struggling with what defines the actual half story-. This <br />definition was compiled from other published half story definitions and written to most <br />accurately reflect the discussion on this topic by the Planning Commission oxer the lost <br />two years.