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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 21, 2000 Page 8 • 1 her opinion that the Commission should consider ways to make consistency the norm. 2 Chair Bergstrom welcomed Todd Hubmer, WSB, Inc., and invited him to address the Commis- 3 sion. 4 Mr. Hubmer explained that he had been asked to review the impact on the City's stormwater 5 issue by altering the lot coverage ordinance. In this respect, Mr. Hubmer distributed to the 6 Commission a handout that depicted a rough plat map of the City using available GIS 7 information. The map indicated the specific lots within the City that are less than 9,000 square 8 feet in area, which total approximately 480 lots. 9 In short, Mr. Hubmer stated that if the Commission were to decide to increase the lot coverage 10 from 35%to 40% for the lots less than 9,000 square feet, there would be no appreciable increase 11 in stormwater runoff. 12 Another point he had been asked to address was whether a deck should be considered an 13 impervious or pervious surface. It was Mr. Hubmer's opinion that a deck was a pervious surface 14 unless it was constructed over an impervious surface, such as concrete or possibly plastic 15 covering. 16 In essence, Mr. Hubmer stated that the Commission had essentially three options to consider in modifying the current lot coverage ordinance: 18 1. Increasing allowable lot coverage from 35% -40%for lots less than 9,000 square feet; 19 2. Removing decks as part of the definition of impervious surfaces; and 20 3. Increasing the lot coverage maximum to 40%city wide. 21 In response to increasing the lot coverage city-wide by 40%, Bergstrom expressed his belief that 22 the Planning Commission and the City Council are sensitive to allowing new paved surfaces. 23 Mr. Hubmer responded that it would be an incremental impact and one that would most likely 24 require additional research to determine the long-term effect. However, he stated that many 25 residents currently exceed the 35% lot coverage maximum. 26 Mr. Hubmer also explained that there are simple things that homeowners can do to alleviate 27 stormwater running into the street. For example, ensuring the guttering is pointed the correct di- 28 rection and planting additional vegetation. He stated that one of the components for the City's 29 stormwater plan is education to assist residents in understanding water management. 30 Bergstrom wished to confirm that if the Commission increased the current lot coverage 31 maximum from 35%to 40% for lots under 9,000 square feet, it would not have a significant 32 impact on the City's water issue. Todd confirmed that was a correct statement. Additionally, Mr. Hubmer was asked if the Commission continued with the current lot coverage �l4 of 35%, and exempted decks from the impervious surface definition, would that have a 35 significant impact on the stormwater? Mr. Hubmer responded that as long as there was dirt or a 36 breathable fabric underneath the deck, it should not be a burden on the stormwater issue.