06-27-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 13, 2016 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11 of 14 12. #16-3815 HALF-STORY DEFINITION/MASSING REGULATION (continued) Printup stated he likes the less restrictive nature of Option 1 and that what Council Member Walsh is suggesting is almost entirely another separate conversation. Printup stated in his view this is a good start. Walsh stated the biggest issue he has is with the structural footprint and that he would like to see that go away. Walsh stated if someone has a 9,900 square foot lot, they can have 25 percent hardcover and they should live within that. Barnhart stated those are two separate issues and that the comments on what is included in the hardcover and what is not is an appropriate discussion. Barnhart indicated he is uncomfortable with supporting a change like that at this time because he is not sure what all the ramifications will be. Barnhart noted that this has already been added to the November agenda for discussion and that he would like to keep it separate from this discussion regarding the half-story. Barnhart stated he understands it was a two-year process to establish the different hardcover tiers that the Council eventually approved and that he would recommend keeping those two items separate. Printup stated he thinks that is a good idea. Walsh noted Option 2 gets rid of the 15 percent but establishes a floor area ratio. Barnhart stated he would suggest, if the Council is looking for simplicity, to look at Option 1, and then direct Staff to review the structural requirements sooner rather than later. Walsh stated that makes sense and helps to resolve some things. Walsh stated in his view it should be a continual process. Walsh moved, Cornick seconded, to direct Staff to draft an ordinance approving Option 1 regarding massing regulations, and to request that Staff continue the discussion on the structural coverage. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0. 13. #16-3817 CITY OF ORONO/ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT: DEFINE EXISTING GROUND LEVEL AND ENGINEERED GRADE – ORDINANCE NO. 170 Barnhart stated the issue of “Existing Grade” was the 4th highest priority of ordinances to review last fall. The City Code currently uses several terms interchangeably, including grade, ground level, and ground. The proposed ordinance clarifies these terms by amending the definition of existing ground level, adds new definitions of Engineered Grade and Natural Grade, and amends different sections of the ordinance to maintain consistency in terms. In addition, the height of buildings is based on the existing ground level. In situations where a house site is based on a recently approved final plat or a grading conditional use permit, the existing ground level has not yet been established. The proposed ordinance adds an Engineered Grade definition to address those situations. That change would allow Staff to review permits before the grading work has been completed. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance as drafted at their May meeting. No public comments have been received for or against the proposed ordinance.