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Council narrows building-height definition after long debate, approves planning commission recommendation
Summary
After debating four measurement methods for mean-ground-level height, council voted 4–1 to approve the planning commission's recommended option (A/B) that is intended to be easier to implement while protecting frontage appearance; staff will update ordinance language and graphics.
Staff presented four methods to define "mean ground level" for measuring building height on lots with topography and lakeshore views. Options ranged from measuring from the street-side foundation average to averaging across lake- and street-sides or across the whole lot. Option C (average of street and lake side) had support from staff as a compromise, but the planning commission had recommended option A/B (street-side average, with a 10-foot adjustment where the lot drops more than 10 feet).
Council members raised concerns about how different options would affect lakeshore properties and the expense and burden of required surveys. After discussion the council voted to approve option A/B (the planning commission recommendation) by voice vote (4–1). "If you don't do it by January 1, you're kind of leaving the doors wide open," staff cautioned earlier in the meeting about timing; the council decided the more administrable option should be adopted now and be available for adjustment by the council later.
