City Council Minutes 2015 04 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Miriutes April 21, 2015 Page 7 of 21 COUNCIL COMMENT Mayor Muckle inquired about the proposed floor ratio of the home. Planning and Building Safety Director Russ explained there is no floor ratio outside of Old Town. There is a10 % maximum lot coverage and the applicant is proposing half of the maximum allowable lot coverage. Council member Stolzmann stated she has struggled with this matter. After reading the minutes on the PUD approval it appears there was a desire to preserve the view corridor and not have any houses on the west side of McCaslin.. However the original plan was to have fewer houses in the subdivision and to have only 1 -story homes. The City code provides criteria for functional open space in terms of optimum preservation of natural features including trees, drainage areas, recreational areas, views and density relief. She felt the views were essential and although she understood if a home is spread out the view will be blocked, she felt 1 -story homes were suitable on the west side of McCaslin. Mayor Muckle inquired about limiting lot coverage for new homes in this area.. Planning and Building Safety Director Russ felt lot coverage is a far more effective view preservation tool than height. If Council decided to put in a lot coverage limitation, it would be an effective tool to preserve the view corridors. The applicant is proposing a reduced footprint of 5% lot coverage. They have not submitted construction plans. It can be reviewed at the building permit process. Mayor Muckle asked the applicant if there would be a problem of reducing the lot coverage to 5,000 SF. He agreed the intent was to preserve the view corridor and felt reduced lot coverage would accomplish that. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton stated at one time, the City Council tumed down a proposal from McStain Neighborhood to build homes on the east side of McCaslin. Had that development been authorized, those two lots would have remained empty. He supported the proposal. Council member Loo was on Planning Commission when this development came forward and she concurred with some of Mayor Pro Tem Dalton's comments. She supported saving as much of the view shed as possible in cooperation with the applicant. She noted if the applicant sold the property, the Council does not want to be obligated to allow the next owner to build a home, which could block the view shed. Ms. Nell stated the homes on the west side of McCaslin are not in Louisville. She asked about the lot coverage and the height restriction for those homes, which might block their view. She noted the trees in the area are Blue Spruce, which grow to be very large trees. She stated if their proposal is not approved and the land is sold, would Council want a 9,600 SF home on this-property.