City Council Minutes 2012 06 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes June 5, 2012 Page 12 of 16 City Attorney Light reminded the Council they would need to direct staff to return with a resolution for acceptance or denial. Council member Yarnell moved City Council direct staff to prepare a draft resolution of denial, for denial of the application, and the resolution to be returned to Council for consideration at their June 19 meeting and public hearing to be continued until that date. Seconded by Council member Sackett. Roll Call Vote: Loo —yes, Keany—yes, Sackett—yes, Yarnell —yes, Dalton —yes, Jasiak— yes and Muckle—yes. Mayor Muckle thanked Council for making this difficult decision. Mayor Muckle called for a break at 10:20 p.m. The meeting re-convened at 10:30 p.m. ORDINANCE No. 1614, SERIES 2012 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 17.16.030 OF THE LOUISVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE TO CHANGE THE MINIMUM BUILDING SEPARATION REQUIREMENT FROM TEN FEET TO FIVE FEET—2nd READING - PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Muckle requested a City Attorney introduction. City Attorney Light read Ordinance No. 1614, Series 2012. Mayor Muckle opened the public hearing and requested a staff presentation. Planner I Robinson explained this ordinance proposes to reduce the minimum building separation in residential areas from 10 feet to 5 feet. These building separation requirements are intended to serve several purposes, including fire safety and improving aesthetics. The 2009 International Building Code (IBC) adopted by the City does not require 10 feet between structures for fire safety reasons. Instead, minimum building separation requirements are determined by the types of materials and insulation used in the buildings. Currently, when the IBC requires more separation between structures than the zoning code minimum, the IBC requirements prevail. With most of the residential lots in the city built out, and much of the existing housing stock exceeding 20 years old, there is significant desire among homeowners to expand existing homes, add accessory structures, or rebuild on existing lots. The maximum build-out of a lot is limited by several factors in the LMC and the various applicable PUDs, including setbacks, lot coverage ratios, floor area ratios, and height restrictions. Building separation requirements impose a further restriction on development. The goals of the building separation requirements— safety and aesthetics — can still be met with less stringent requirements which would reduce the constraints on redevelopment. The other limiting factors of redevelopment, such as setbacks, will remain in place to prevent overdevelopment.