Minutes - Council - 02/13/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to why it wouldn't make sense for the City to hold a training session which would teach a person how to inspect their septic system and then allow citizens to do the inspection themselves if they chose to do so. City Administrator Norman stated that he would look into that option as a possibility. Case//13: Proposed Ordinance to Establish Density Transition Standards for New Residential Development City Administrator Norman stated that the purpose of the Charter Amendment that requires a transition between new and existing residential development of differing densities is to mitigate the impact new, higher density residential development may have on adjacent lower density neighborhoods. On November 14, 2000, the City Council introduced an ordinance to establish density transition standards between existing and new residential development. The ordinance failed to receive the necessary amount of votes to pass during the regular meetings on December' 12, 2000, and again on December 19, 2000. On January 25, 2001, City Council conducted a work session to continue to work on the density transition regulations. Staff presented a draft ordinance dated January 25, 2001, that did not include lot tiering specifications and exempted properties rezoning from commercial/industrial to multi-family residential from density transitioning (in addition to properties that were zoned for multi-family prior to the Charter Amendment). Loren Gordon of Hoisington Koegler Group incorporated (HKGi) presented a concept that would establish the groundrules for density transitioning in a policy guideline format. Staff's ordinance was eliminated from further consideration. Mr. Gordon was directed to refine the proposed ordinance and guideline policy for Council consideration, noting that density transitioning would apply to the entire City, not just to developing properties inside or on the outer limits of the MUSA. Staff was also directed to research the ramifications of adopting standards in policy format. Staff has worked with Mr. Gordon to amend the proposed ordinance to: a) establish the groundrules only for density transitioning; b) make density transitioning applicable to the entire City; c) only exempt density transitioning on parcels that were zoned for multi-family prior to the Charter Amendment or when property owners adjacent to the developing property waive the requirement; d) reference a guideline of acceptable density transitioning techniques and methods that will be adopted by resolution. Making the density transitioning requirement applicable to the entire City is a substantial change from the ordinance version that was subjected to a public hearing last November. Therefore, Council can consider introduction of the proposed ordinance, but it should be referred back to the Planning Commission for a public hearing prior to final adoption. Councihnember Hendriksen stated that he was surprised to see the ordinance on the agenda because his recollection was that this idea was a concept and when presented to the Council sparked a lot of debate. He thought they were going to have answers to their questions. He inquired as to how the policy would be implemented, what would be the mechanism, would it be subject to the "whiplash effect", and would it be incorporated into the zoning chapter and require a super majority vote to make any changes. City Council/February 13, 2001 Page 20 of 28