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City Council continues building‑height amendment after developer and neighbor concerns
Summary
A proposed code change to measure building height from the average of natural and finished grade drew developer and neighbor input and was continued for further study; staff will refine applicability and consider maximums and variances.
Community Development Director Daniel Cárdenas presented a proposed amendment to the definition of "building height" to measure vertical distance from the average elevation between natural and proposed finished grade to the roof peak. The Planning Commission recommended the change, and staff proposed an applicability clause to preserve rights for building permits within approved subdivisions prior to a cutoff date.
Multiple developers and builders spoke at the hearing. Russell Wilson (Symphony Homes) and Haley Pratt (Castlewood Development) raised concerns about lots already graded under City direction and the disproportionate impact on certain lots with steep stub‑streets; Justin Nielson described implementation complexity in some topographies. Council members and staff discussed adding fallback language (e.g., "or 35 feet from finished grade, whichever is more restrictive") and noted the availability of variances for unusual sites. City Attorney Christine Petersen recommended against drafting final ordinance language on the spot. The Council voted to CONTINUE Ordinance 2026‑004 to allow staff and the Planning Commission to refine technical language and return with revised options.
