PC PACKET 08.08.2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 25, 2024 PC Minutes Page 4 Commissioner Andress stated that he drove by the site before the meeting, and is glad that staff is encouraging higher quality design elements for the buildings considering that they will be the first visible part of the development for traffic coming from the roundabout. Commissioner Petty stated that the building elevations make them look like nice buildings. Commissioner Petty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Arcand, to recommend approval of the Site Plan, PUD Amendment, and Preliminary Plat requests. All ayes. Motion carried. The requests will be on the agenda for the City Council meeting of August 5, 2024. Public Hearing: Ordinance Text Amendment— Egress Windows Associate Planner Gort presented background on the application from city staff to consider a text amendment to Section 90-47 Exceptions to Yard Regulations of the City Code. Currently, the code allows for lot setback exceptions for several typical house features such as window wells/egress windows, decks, porches, and air conditioners. While reviewing this section of code, staff found that the allowance for window wells/egress windows to encroach two feet into the side yard setback does not align with building code, which requires egress windows to have a depth of three feet. This discrepancy has occurred in a few building permits over the past year, including a variance that was approved for an egress window that had been erroneously approved and constructed. Staff recommended that the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and take public comments, and that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the proposed text amendment for egress windows. Acting Chair Derr opened the Public Hearing at 7:36 PM. No one spoke. Acting Chair Derr closed the Public Hearing at 7:36 PM. Commissioner Arcand asked about the previous variance approval for an egress window. Juba stated that the variance approval in 2023 was for a unique situation where an egress window had already been built, but that there have been other situations where a home is already built on the side yard setback line and the homeowner wants to convert a basement room into a legal bedroom with an egress window. Arcand asked if there's a concern with decreasing the distance between the egress window and the side property line. Juba said that the intent of a minimum side yard setback is to allow for adequate space between adjacent buildings, but that the intent is still met with egress windows since the majority of them are constructed at-grade.