Laserfiche WebLink
any grading on slopes of 25% or greater; would restrictions apply to the building pad or would it <br /> apply to the entire lot; and, how a ridgeline should be defined. <br /> Mr. Iserson presented a map of properties and described those that might be affected by a <br /> hillside restriction, stating that all properties within the City were not included, but more of those <br /> major properties yet to be developed in the hillside areas. He illustrated existing developments <br /> and how they would relate to the slope on the site and overlays of proposed development, <br /> noting there is also the question of style of grading, which is dependent upon the design of the <br /> home, lot configurations, slopes, changes in topography, the desire for flat rear yards, split pad <br /> lots, building on natural slopes. Another issue is FAR methodology, which can be based on the <br /> entire parcel. Examples include reducing limits for highly sloped areas and discounting areas <br /> over a certain slope percentage; or, creating a building envelope within the parcel allowing that <br /> area to be graded and base the FAR on the building envelope and not the size of the entire lot. <br /> There can be disagreements on measuring FAR, slope banks and the base of hills, and moving <br /> to a hillside regulation would establish a formula or method for determining FAR and slope. <br /> He said the hillside regulation process is dependent upon how the Council proceeds with the <br /> Hillside Initiative; it may want to request staff to do further analysis; pursue hillside regulations to <br /> implement, expand or clarify the potential Initiative; the Council might want to establish a <br /> process through a task force involving citizens, commissions, or other alternatives used in the <br /> past; it may want to consider what the final product the Council is looking far; and whatever is <br /> adopted can always be placed on the ballot for voter approval. <br /> Mr. Iserson said the recommendation is for the Council to consider issues relating to hillside <br /> regulations and provide feedback and direction to staff, provide direction on the public process <br /> and the context of the Initiative process, and also to take advantage of requesting more <br /> information from staff on potential impacts of hillside regulations. <br /> Mayor Hosterman said she realized after hearing the presentation that the City already has a <br /> number of protections in place that previous Councils have acted on relating to development in <br /> the hillsides. Regarding Mr. Iserson's presentation where potential development is proposed but <br /> where this Initiative would likely not cover, she asked what properties would be covered. Mr. <br /> Iserson said it may be very few, many properties are exempt due to having 10 units or less, and <br /> it depends on remaining properties as to where they decide to propose the homes. <br /> City Manager Fialho said the reason the item was placed on the agenda was in response to a <br /> request by the Council to explore ways to initiate a City-sponsored Hillside Protection Ordinance <br /> or regulation. This provides good foundation for the next discussion which is either to call for the <br /> election, adoption, or additional study. <br /> Councilmember McGovern confirmed the Council has a priority to develop a hillside ordinance. <br /> She believes there is a place in the General Plan that calls for a hillside ordinance to be <br /> developed, and Councilmember Sullivan noted it was in the Open Space Element, 5.1. She said <br /> many citizens set out that plan in 1996 and said it also included a grading ordinance. She <br /> questioned if Mr. Iserson had an illustration of what Oak Grove would look like. Mr. Iserson said <br /> he remembered having a sloped map, and Councilmember McGovern asked to obtain a copy of <br /> the slope map prior to the discussion, as well as a copy of the PowerPoint presentation. <br /> Councilmember McGovern said she remembers a discussion where in 1986 there was <br /> something in the General Plan about 25% slopes which was removed, and there was discussion <br /> that it had been there but removed by accident. She asked to see some of the staff reports from <br /> those Planning Commission meetings to assist in her decision-making, and believed the policy <br /> City Council Minutes 7 May 20, 2008 <br />