Planning Commission Minutes 2016 07 14

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes July 14, 2016 Page 4 of 33 • Fence and trail connection per City's Open Space standards SIGNS • 2 monument signs — one at each entrance per CDDSG • V-shaped monument sign with site name • Balfour tree logo on small shed SETBACKS WAIVERS • Accessory structure front yard setback 35 feet to 26 feet • Parking setback along Plaza Drive from 15 feet to 10 feet • Side yard setback for fire access (solution development with Public Works and Louisville Fire District) HEIGHT WAIVER • Extend portion of structure beyond the 35 foot height requirement to a maximum of 52 feet • Staff is concerned about building massing and privacy and recommends a condition of approval that mature landscaping be installed at the time of construction FISCAL IMPACT • Model estimates a cumulative net positive fiscal impact +$296,000 on the City over a 20- year period HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held a meeting on April 18, 2016 and had the following comments: • Every effort should be made to preserve the historic structure at 1800 Plaza Drive by moving it to another location. The Commission placed a stay of 180 days on the demolition request. • The preservation of the "historic element" associated with the Hecla Mine is an appropriate way to honor the history of the area. The HPC expressed concern about the height of the structure but felt that it made sense at that location and the views across Hecla Lake to the mountains. Staff Recommendations: Staff recommends approval of the requested Planned Unit Development and final Plat with the following conditions: 1. Prior to the City Council hearing, the applicant shall incorporate a minimum of six mature trees into the overall landscape plan on the east and northeast side of the site. The trees will be a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees which will provide a mature landscape buffer and appropriate transition to the surrounding public open space and single family residential neighborhood Commission Questions of Staff. - Rice says the issues we have before us are the three setback waivers. It is no secret that the real controversy has to do with the height waiver. We are being asked to change the zoning height of 35' and move it to 52', which is a 17' increase. What is the standard I have as a Commissioner to decide whether this waiver in height restriction is allowed under the code? Trice says there is clear language in Section 17.20.120 which lists all criteria to review for any type of waiver request. The criteria Staff felt were most appropriate to apply to this situation were the criterion of appropriateness to the surrounding area and the criterion looking at bulk. It relates to whether this fits to this particular site. Does the spirit and intent of these criteria continue to match this particular project? Rice says as I understand it, we have facilities to the west of this proposed development that are 50' in height. Trice says they are at least 50', and some of them are taller. Rice asks how did we get there? Trice says the applicant went through the same waiver request process.