Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ordinance 8745 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Board backs omnibus Land Use Code cleanups, adds community benefit requirement for some 3‑story height exceptions
Summary
The Planning Board recommended City Council adopt Ordinance 8745, a wide-ranging package of Land Use Code corrections and clarifications. The board adopted an amendment (6–1) directing staff to create a mechanism so projects seeking a height modification for up to three stories provide an equivalent community benefit.
City planning staff presented Ordinance 8745 as an omnibus package of corrections, clarifications and targeted policy changes to the Land Use Code, including adjustments to use-table entries, site-review thresholds, parking/AMPS clarifications, accessory-dwelling-unit (ADU) utility language and minor use review exemptions.
"The purpose of this item being on your agenda tonight is for you to make a recommendation to City Council on Ordinance 8745," principal planner Lisa Hood told the board during the staff presentation.
Key staff points included removing a combined floor‑area limit for office uses (which staff said had become administratively difficult to apply), restoring explicit language that ADUs share utilities with the primary dwelling (to match construction standards), clarifying mobile food vehicle rules and adjusting site-review thresholds and height-modification language for some community and arts uses.
Board members asked how the proposal would affect parking, accessibility and whether a new three‑story height‑modification pathway could still yield community benefit. Board member Laura (Speaker 6) proposed — and the board adopted — an amendment directing staff to include a requirement and mechanism for paying an equivalent community benefit when buildings up to three stories in some use categories seek a height modification.
The amendment passed in roll-call voting (6 yes, 1 no). The board then recommended Council adopt Ordinance 8745 as amended.
Votes and next steps: The board approved the amendment to require an equivalent community benefit by a 6–1 vote; it then voted to recommend City Council adopt the ordinance as amended. Planning staff said technical edits and minor clarifications may appear in Council’s final version. City Council will consider the ordinance at upcoming meetings.
Representative quote: "This change could facilitate the approval of more flexible and/or iconic buildings," board member Claudia said about the three‑story height modification pathway, while Board member Laura said she supported the change only if it included an equivalent community benefit.
