PC 111313 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Posson stated that he would like to explore the FAR issue further. He recalled that what he heard Mr. Dolan mention was that the 25 percent was just kind of what the Task Force thought was the right number. Mr. Dolan replied that the Task Force made the first suggestion, starting with an average, the type of information that, when there is a new home proposed and it is going to be amongst a group of older homes, the Planning Commission and, if it moves on, the City Council would want to know what the FAR of everything surrounding it is. He noted that staff is constantly doing that chart and that it is very doable. He added that sometimes, if the records are shady, staff has to estimate but it can get pretty accurate. Mr. Dolan stated that in that regard, the Task Force thought that people are all already taking this information into consideration and asked if it should just be the average, or if it can actually be bumped up some and still be compatible. He indicated that somebody has to be the biggest, so the Task Force decided to bump it up; 25 percent was the first suggestion made, and it felt right to the Task Force. He stated that the Planning Commission may feel better with another number, or the Commission can also eliminate the Compatibility Standard entirely and just stop having discussions as to whether or not something has to match in size and scale. Commissioner Posson inquired what the FAR requirements are for residential areas in other parts of the City and noted that he heard 40 percent mentioned tonight. Mr. Dolan replied that 40 percent is the most common within straight - zoning districts Commissioner Posson inquired why the variation from that in this specific area. Mr. Dolan replied that in a newer tract home, the size and mass are pretty consistent just based on the way they were built, and they typically have the same lot sizes as well. He noted that there is some mix but not the dramatic variation found in the Downtown. He further noted that other areas of town are just not as organic a neighborhood as Downtown. Commissioner Posson requested staff to display the slide that shows the numeric value but includes the comment on the exemption. He stated that where he is headed with this is that should someone come in above that 25 percent, maybe with an exceptional design, and it is consistent with the neighborhood, and it is going to be 40 percent above what the neighbors have, how difficult it would be for them to get that exemption from that 25 percent increase, and what hoops they would have to go through. Mr. Dolan replied that if it became controversial they would go through the same hoops that they would have to go through the way the regulations are now. He indicated that it will come up to the Commission and possibly the Council to decide whether or not, based on no specific criteria, they have met the challenge of being compatible in mass. He noted that in the worst case scenario, the hardest thing they would have to do is prove what they have to prove now. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 13, 2013 Page 32 of 50