06-13-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Monday, May 16, 2016 6:30 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 2 8. #16-3817 CITY OF ORONO, ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT DEFINING EXISTING GROUND LEVEL AND ENGINEERED GRADE, 8:03 P.M. – 8:10 P.M. Barnhart stated the draft ordinance is intended to clarify the definition of existing grade. The City currently uses different terms for grade throughout the current ordinance and this proposed ordinance helps to clean that up. The draft ordinance also amends the definition of existing ground grade and the definition of basement and building height to consistently use “existing ground level.” Existing grade is an important term in the application of the zoning ordinance, as the height of buildings and structures are based on grade. Grade is also used to determine if the lowest floor is a basement or a floor, impacting the 2-1/2 story determination. The draft ordinance also adds new definitions for “engineered grade” and “natural grade” as these terms are used in the ordinance. Barnhart stated the draft ordinance is not intended to change policy or practice but is intended to establish consistency and codify practice. Landgraver asked if there are standard industrial or business terms that are used by builders and whether the draft ordinance conforms with those terms. Barnhart stated there are a lot of different definitions for the same thing throughout the country. Staff looked at what is out there, which is where the engineered grade and natural grade come from. Landgraver asked if a builder who works in the metro area would be familiar with these terms. Barnhart indicated they should be. Barnhart stated the ordinance just talks about the grade level and that Staff is not recommending any other changes. Chair Thiesse opened the public hearing at 8:07 p.m. Council Exhibit C