Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears Shepherd Hotel request to allow taller rooftop canopies; safety and duration draw questions
Summary
Council discussed a text amendment that would let hotels in the commercial district install engineered rooftop canopies exceeding the height limit, subject to architectural review and wind/safety standards. The Shepherd Hotel requested the change; councilors pressed staff on removal timing, wind safety, runoff, noise and limiting consecutive days of use.
The council considered an applicant‑driven text amendment to allow rooftop canopies for hotels in the C (commercial) district to exceed the city’s height limit if the structure meets engineering standards and receives board of architectural review approval.
Jacob, presenting the proposal, said the applicant (the Shepherd Hotel) wants to better utilize rooftop space and that the structure would be engineered and anchored to the building. Under the draft rule, the canopy could have removable sides and panels that must be taken down "within 24 hours of any event," Jacob said. He added the board of architecture review would evaluate appearance and an engineer would certify the structure.
Councilors raised safety concerns based on earlier conversations when the building was completed. One council member asked whether panels could come down quickly in unexpected severe weather; another suggested limiting the number of consecutive days a canopy could stay up instead of a strict 24‑hour before/after rule. "That's where your booking data would be helpful," a councilor said, urging staff to consider the realistic cadence of events when setting limits.
Staff said proposals and visual examples will be presented when the applicant returns to the board and council, and that the structure would need monitoring equipment (wind gauge) as part of the conditions. The chief confirmed that existing downtown noise controls would still apply to rooftop events; the canopy proposal does not override the noise ordinance.
Council did not finalize the amendment at this meeting; staff will seek additional information from the applicant (e.g., engineering details, booking history) and return with visuals and recommended limits.
