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Councilmember Cook-Kallio questioned what conditions the applicants would need to meet in <br />order to modify the homes. Ms. Decker said they would go through an administrative, staff-level <br />design review, with a 300 foot noticing, and after 7 days if there is no request for a hearing, the <br />request is approved. The height would be at a maximum of 30 feet and the setback would be in <br />conformity with RM4000 District through the design review process. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio said she was struggling with the Planning Commission's <br />recommendation, as it seemed to be somewhat arbitrary. If the property was split, she <br />questioned if the applicants could be asked to return to the Planning Commission. Ms. Decker <br />said the action before the Council was for a PUD rezoning and development plan approval with <br />development standards. Staff looked at what the applicants could do and not go through this <br />particular process and consider variances processes. The RM4000 District has a minimum lot <br />size of 8,000 square feet, so they would not be able to split the property without doing a <br />rezoning to accommodate what is similar with adjacent parcels. It is however, consistent with <br />the RM4000 in terms of having two units on the site, and the applicant could come forward with <br />modifications to the structures, but in order to provide an ownership opportunity with a smaller <br />home, this is the proposal-to have a PUD rezoning. The actual lot split will return to staff for <br />Zoning Administrator approval as a hearing item and it does not go to Planning Commission or <br />City Council. <br />Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. She said there are three issues regarding <br />development standards; building height, FAR, and process. She questioned if the applicant <br />could develop something that fits into the neighborhood instead of hampering development <br />opportunities through applicant design guidelines, or would he prefer to know definitely what the <br />Council would or would not support. <br />Mike Carey, Applicant, said there are two owners and two families and it was always the intent <br />to split the lots. They have no agenda to add on or change it, he clarified this was only a lot split, <br />but the PUD process is the easiest way to process lot splits. He said they would be agreeable <br />with negotiating the height and FAR, and believed the Planning Commission was random in <br />their assessment. They would be amenable to a 35% FAR, are okay with 27 or 28 feet in height, <br />they are not planning to demolish the home and even if they were, the Planning Commission <br />and neighbors are noticed, therefore felt it is unreasonably that they would need to return to the <br />Planning Commission for any simple change. <br />Councilmember Sullivan disclosed he visited the site, met with Mr. Carey, disagrees with the <br />consultant and believes the house is historically significant, and he questioned Mr. Carey as to <br />what he would do with the house. Mr. Carey said the PUD process does not empower them to <br />do anything any different than if anybody on the street wanted to do anything to their homes. <br />There is a very restrictive process for those homes 50 years or older, he said they have no <br />plans to tear down the house and even if they did, everybody would be notified and could <br />discuss the matter. If anything, they would like to add dormers, fix it up, restore the siding back <br />to its original period, and agreed it has a good presence on the street, but is pretty dilapidated. <br />Councilmember Sullivan questioned how staff has dealt with homes of historical significance. <br />Ms. Decker said when a request for demolition is received, staff reviews what the cost is to <br />actually repair that structure, analyze whether or not there is a historical significance belief, and <br />generally, if the applicant can show the cost of reconstruction or repair to restore the structure is <br />greater than about 50%, there is an opportunity for the home to be modified. She said there are <br />various examples of historic structures being modified within the City whereby the construction <br />may seem to be significant; however, staff requires they are consistent with the architecture of <br />