17 - Laserfiche WebLink

5. Delete the exemption to streets and roads that are part of a Specific Plan approved to November 2008. Mr. Dolan stated that he will go through each of these issues and summarize the results of staff's internal discussions. 1. Consider defining the ridgeline setback as a horizontal plane instead of a ground line. Mr. Dolan stated that staff discussed this at some length and staffs recommendation is not to do this for two basic reasons: the first, which is probably the most important, is that it seems to be more restrictive than the actual words of Measure PP; and second, it does create a very significant processing and reviewing problem. He indicated that it is much easier to define where the base of a building is rather than the height of any particular architectural component. He noted that it could be done, but it just makes it somewhat more complicated. He added that if the Commission does not agree with staff and would like to pass on a recommendation to the Council that this particular rule be adopted in the ordinance, staff is suggesting that the Commission provide for particular architectural elements like chimneys and other similar architectural components to be exempted from the restriction. Chair Blank noted Mr. Dolan's statement that it was difficult to measure the heights of the buildings as one of the reasons for not doing this. He pointed out that over the years, the Commission has spent a lot of time making sure that it knows exactly how high a building can be. He indicated that he is not quite sure he understands why it would be difficult in this situation. Mr. Dolan replied that the height of a building at a particular site would have to be compared to a line that is drawn100 feet down from the ridgeline. He stated that because the ridgeline has a different elevation at any given point and is constantly changing, it sets up a whole complicated set of measurements and additional questions to answer, such as how frequently it should be measured against the setback line. He noted that it does not occur at just one elevation point, and it would be easy if it did; but that line moves because the ridgeline elevation moves, and so it would be quite an exercise. Chair Blank stated that Mr. Dolan indicated that there was language in Measure PP that supported staff's position and asked Mr. Dolan to point that out to the Commission. Mr. Dolan replied that he is not saying that there is language in Measure PP that supports staff's position; he is saying that there is no language in Measure PP that supports the change. 2. Eliminate the exemption process for manufactured slopes, streets, and roads on slopes greater than a 25-percent grade, and for streets or roads to landlocked properties. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 13, 2013 Page 4 of 35