10-16-2006 Planning Commission Packet

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#06-3240 Blsement&Story De�nitions � October 12,2006 Page 6 , Proposed Ordinance Revisions , � We caiuiot coiitunie with a "fiuictioiial definition" that is unwritten, never codified, and has flaws. Bllt, tllere are significaiit parts of the fimctional definition ihat have merit. Tlierefore, staff is recoiiuilending tlzat the existing cocie defiiutions of"basenzent" aiid "grouud level" be deleted, and the following code revisions be �dopted, as follows: 1. Aclopt the following definition of"Story": , Story. Tliat portion of a builcliug included betweeii the upper surface of a floor and tlie upper surface of the floor or roof next �bove. It is measured as the vertical distance from top to top of two successive tiers of beams or fiiushed floor sui�faces aiid, for the � topmost story, froni the top of the floor finish to t11e top of the ceiling joists or, where there is not a ceiling,to the top of the roof rafters. A story that meets the definition of a "basement" shall be considered as a baseiiient and not as a story for purposes of deteriiuiuiig the nuniber of stories in a buildiiig. . 2. Adopt the following clefinition of"Basement": � . • Basement. That portioii of a building that is partly or conipletely below the existing ground levei. A basement shall be considered as a story for puiposes of deterniiiung the number of stories in a building, when the fuushed surface of the floor above the basement is inore than 6 feet above the e;�isting ground level for inore thaii 50% of filie basement's perimeter. The periineter of the basement does not inchide portioiis of the house or garage that do not have a lower level but are merely "uiiexcavated". Artificially raisuig tlie grade adjaceiit to the foundation of a structi.�re (by filling or by a conibinatiou of filling and retaining walls) above the sunotuiding iiatural terraiil shall not be allowed as a method for convertiiig a defined stoiy to a defined basement, regardless of any other beiiefits to the property of such action. Finished grade that iiicreases niore .thaii one foot from eaistulg grouiid level shall be considered as arkificially raising the grade. � � 3. �Adopt the following definition of"Existing Ground Level": Existing Ground Level. Tlie elevatioii of the grade at the Uase of an existiiig structtue, measured at points abutting the foundation wall, or the eYisting grade of a vacaiit lot. • Staff Recommendation Y Hold the public lZearing �uid discuss the merits of the proposed ordinance revisions. Plaiuung Conuizission had suggested that local builders ancl arcl�itect Ue notified of this proposed revisioii. Siiice the proposed language has only recently been fornlulated, such notification has not occurred. Plaiuiuig Conulussioii has the optioii io table this or seiid it on fio Couticil with a . recoimnendation.