01-23-2017 Council Work Session Packet

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ITEM 2 - WORK SESSION MEMORANDUM TO: ORONO CITY COUNCIL FROM: JEREMY BARNHART, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS DATE: JANUARY 23, 2017 In late 2016, the Council prioritized a number of issues and areas where the existing city code required attention and review. Among these, the Mayor had identified several ordinances to be considered early in 2017. When prioritizing issues, the Planning Commission and Council do not prescribe solutions; solutions are generally developed through the Planning Commission and, where applicable, public hearing process. The Planning Commission is expected to discuss ordinance amendments related to the following areas during a workshop on February 1 and in the public hearing on February 21: Non -encroachments (17-3894) Structural Coverage (17-3896) Special Events (17-3897) The Council is asked to confirm the understood objectives for these ordinance amendments: Non -encroachments. In February, 2015, the Council passed an ordinance regulating retaining walls in required yards, including permitting. The height of the wall and the amount of earth being retaining dictates the type of permit. There has been some discussion in the past that additional accessory improvements, i.e. planter boxes, be allowed to be within 5' of the property line. It should be noted that any improvement within an easement is at the risk of the owner. The understood objective of the ordinance is to review the setback requirements of accessory structures, including allowing certain improvements within 5 feet of a property line. Accessory structures may include planting beds, signs, retaining walls, sheds, accessory buildings, patios, etc. Structural Coverage. City Code regulates massing (the visual effect of improvements on a lot) through structural coverage, setbacks, and building height. Structural coverage is based on a percentage (15%) of the lot less that 2 acres in size; lots less than 10,000 sq ft are permitted 1,500 sq ft of structural coverage. Lots over 2 acres do not have a structural limitation. Massing is an important issue in many of the city's neighborhoods, and building setback to setback will have a perceptible impact to neighborhood character. Generally, everything roofed, and everything 6 feet or higher off of the ground is considered structural, for structural calculations. The attached Exhibit A summarizes Lot Coverage regulations in more detail.