03-21-2016 Planning Commission Packet

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Item 9 . ��=VO y� �` G tqxf5 H�� To: Chair Leskinen and Planning Commission Members Jessica Loftus, City Administrator From: Jeremy Barnhart, Community Development Director Date: March 21, 2016 Subject: #16-3817, City of Orono Text Amendment: define Existing Ground Level and Engineered Grade Public Hearing Application Summary: Ordinance amendment related to Existing ground level,and adding new definitions related to Grade Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends tabling action on the ordinance, pending development of the % story definition, as they two may be related. list of Exhibits ExhibitA. DraftOrdinance Background "Existing grade" is an important term in the application of the zoning ordinance,as the height of buildings and structures (fences, support poles, etc.) are based on grade. Grade is used to determine if the lowest floor is a basement or a floor, impacting the 2 %story determination. In the attempt to issue building permits for homes before a new final grade has been established, as in newly platted property,or as part of a conditional use permit,the city uses an engineered grade. The draft ordinance amends the definition of Existing Ground Level. It also amends the definition of Basement and Building Height to consistently use Existing Ground Level, and adds new definitions Engineered Grade and Natural Grade, as these terms are used in the Ordinance. In addition to the definition changes, sections referencing grade are amended to reflect consistency. These sections in 78-1403, 78-1405, and 78-1685. Since these terms are closely related to the %story discussion, staff suggests tabling this amendment until the%2 story definition is reviewed, expected in April.