Minutes - Planning Commission - 02/23/2023

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Senior Planner Anderson provided additional details on the lack of landscaping standards. He stated that staff would recommend some minimum standards for internal landscaping as currently there is only a requirement for boulevard trees. Commissioner Bauer stated that he would prefer to reference the city-wide standards rather than developing additional standards. 7.02: Zoning Code Update: Residential Districts (Continued Discussion) Planning Manager Larson presented the Staff Report and welcomed any feedback, changes, and questions on the proposed language. Commissioner Anderson stated that while he would like to see covered parking for apartments, he realizes that it is a large expense and was unsure that he would want to force that. Senior Planner Anderson replied that some projects did look at underground parking, but it would have been extremely costly because of the high water table in some areas of the COR. Commissioner Bauer commented that putting fewer restrictions would allow more variable price points for residents. He noted that residents that want covered parking would be willing to pay higher rents while those wanting lower rents may not care about covered parking. Planning Manager Larson reviewed the proposed changes to outdoor storage allowance on residential lots and received guidance from the Commission. The Commission also provided input on junk vehicles. He then moved to driveways. Senior Planner Anderson provided additional details on the different minimum standards for different lot sizes. He confirmed that the five-foot setback is already a standard, but this simply provides the information in one place for clarification. He provided more details on the allowed surfaces that could be used for parking as well as language related to second driveways. Planning Manager Larson continued to review the proposed changes. He noted that the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) will be reviewing the landscaping section for residential properties at its next meeting. Councilmember Woestehoff asked if the EPB could review the COR landscaping standards as well. Senior Planner Anderson noted that the case he prepared was more of a starting off point but stated that he could bring up that concept and it could be further discussed at the March EPB meeting. Councilmember Woestehoff referenced the screening and asked if the authority provided to Council could be transitioned to a variance reviewed by the Planning Commission. Planning Manager Larson provided additional context on the thought of that authority. Planning Commission/ February 23, 2023 Page 8 of 10