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Mr. Dolan stated that the definitions of "ridge" and "ridgeline" have evolved somewhat from what was <br /> originally presented to the Council in order to increase consistency with what occurs in the City's <br /> Zoning Ordinance. Staff presented the proposed language to the Commission and they agreed with the <br /> recommendation. The Commission also reviewed the recommendation regarding ridgeline setbacks <br /> and made one change to what was discussed by the Council in November. The Commission believed <br /> the100 foot vertical setback from the top of the ridgeline should be measured to the top of the proposed <br /> structure rather than the base or pad elevation. Staff believes this interpretation to be more restrictive <br /> than the language of Measure PP and would not recommend supporting this change. If the Council <br /> does prefer the Commission's approach, staff is recommending some minor text changes to offer <br /> exceptions for small architectural features such as cupolas and chimneys similar to other height <br /> exemptions granted for development elsewhere in the City. <br /> The final and perhaps most controversial issue is the determination of whether public and private <br /> streets or roads are considered to be structures and therefore restricted by Measure PP. Originally the <br /> Council concluded that they should be considered such and therefore prohibited as described. The <br /> Council did want to allow a possible exception for those and streets or roads that had been envisioned <br /> in any specific plan document adopted prior to November 2008 as well as for streets intended to <br /> provide access to city facilities and other landlocked areas. At that time the Council also noted that any <br /> street or road would be subject to the same rules, restrictions and discretionary review as any <br /> development project. Staff feels the language of Measure PP addresses only residential or commercial <br /> structures therefore an exemption is not required for city facilities. Staff also reviewed the inventory of <br /> affected properties and identified only one site, which is so limited by its natural slopes that the <br /> development potential does not meet the 10 lot threshold. <br /> The Commission concurred with the Council's assessment that roads are structures and therefore <br /> subject to the conditions of Measure PP, but did offer one change to the Council's original direction. <br /> Based on some additional review by staff and the City Attorney's office, the Commission felt it would be <br /> difficult to propose the recommended exemptions. The language of Measure PP essentially says that it <br /> is an amendment to the General Plan which supersedes the provisions of the previous General Plan, <br /> thereby negating what was envisioned in those specific plans that are components of the General Plan. <br /> Staff does not agree with this interpretation for several reasons and recommends that the proposed <br /> ordinance not consider roads to be structures. Staff believes the measure, which does not reference <br /> roads, would have been more explicit if its intent was to address roads. Staff also reviewed the <br /> definition of "structure," of which there are several, within the current Municipal Code and found that it <br /> differed based on the situation being addressed. Staff also believes there are fairly significant policy <br /> implications in concluding that a road is a structure, primarily relating to two roads envisioned by <br /> previous specific plans. These included the bypass road from Happy Valley, which is intended to <br /> traverse land that largely exceeds 25% slope, as well as the potential connection to the future Lund <br /> Ranch II development through Sunset Creek Lane or Sycamore Creek Way as identified in the North <br /> Sycamore Specific Plan. He noted that passing the ordinance with staff's recommendation does not <br /> mean that either road would come to pass, but determining that a street or road is a structure would <br /> unequivocally prevent them. He also noted that the City would maintain its discretionary review <br /> authority and CEQA tools in order to locate the roads and mitigate any impacts that their construction <br /> might create. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio asked which of the potential Lund Ranch II connection stubs has a sign reading <br /> "future connection" that keeps disappearing. <br /> Mr. Dolan said both have signs posted but noted there have been times that they were not. He also <br /> pointed out that each property does contain a notice in its disclosure documents, though some have <br /> testified that they do not feel it was adequate. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 4 of 11 April 2, 2013 <br />