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0 <br />• <br />• <br />I ill <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, February 12, 2007 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />5. #06 -3240 CITY OF ORONO ZOl <br />"BASEMENT" AND "STORY" — CODE <br />Gaffron stated the Planning Commission approv <br />16, 2006. Council reviewed this briefly at the C( <br />by Loren Schoenzeit about how the amendment <br />given that our hardcover and lot coverage ordina <br />tabled the amendment, with Staff requesting that <br />pending permit/variance applications. Council r( <br />determined that the amendment should move for <br />The determination whether the lowest level of a ] <br />of the foundation is below existing natural grade. <br />definition of basement relies on ambiguous or un <br />extent on Building Code definitions which are in <br />Staff has been using a "functional definition" that <br />unwritten definition has caused some confusion ai <br />Currently Staff is using the "functional definition" <br />basement (and not a story) when at least 50 percer, <br />existing grade, not filled finished grade) to a heigf. <br />measure up from the lowest floor). The perimeter <br />house or garage that do not have a lower level but <br />Staff is recommending that the existing code defin <br />following code revisions be adopted: <br />1. "Story. That portion of a building inc <br />upper surface of the floor or.roof next <br />to top of two successive tiers of beam; <br />from the top of the floor finish to the t <br />to the top of the roof rafters. A story tl <br />considered as a basement and not as a <br />in a building." <br />Murphy inquired whether it would still <br />Gaffron stated if more than 60 percent of it is <br />but would be considered a story. <br />Murphy inquired what would happen if the City del <br />requires a basement. <br />Gaffron stated it would be considered a functional I <br />stated the structure is limited to two and a half storii <br />Murphy stated the net effect is to eliminate the <br />CODE SECTION 78 -1— DEFINITIONS OF <br />NDMENT - ORDINANCE NO. 37, THIRD SERIES <br />this proposed amendment on a vote of 6 -0 on October <br />icil meeting of November 12 "', and heard comments <br />uld have negative impacts on the buildability of lots <br />es force homes to get higher and not wider. Council <br />is be resolved within 60 days due to its impact on <br />ewed this again at its work session on January 17 and <br />rd as proposed. ' <br />ig is a story or a basement is based on how much <br />zoning code does not define story and the <br />.d terms. The City has also been relying to some <br />.ct with certain premises of the City's ordinances. <br />not written anywhere and has some flaws. This <br />niz architects and builders. <br />that the lower portion of a building is considered as a <br />of the lowest portion's perimeter is covered (by pre- <br />; of at least six feet above the lower floor (i.e., we <br />)f the lower level does not include portions of the <br />ire merely "unexcavated.' <br />of basement and ground level be deleted, and the <br />zded between the upper surface of a floor and the <br />above. It is measured as the vertical distance from top <br />or finished floor surfaces and, for the topmost story, <br />p of the ceiling joists or, where there is not a ceiling, <br />it meets the definition of a basement shall be <br />tory for purposes of determining the number of stories <br />be a basement under what is proposed. <br />more than six feet, it might function as a basement <br />it as a story but the developer states he still <br />and would be a story by definition. Gaffron <br />and four level walkout structures. <br />PAGE 7 of 14 <br />i <br />