‘Harmony and compatibility’ may be incompatible

Deirdre Newman

The ambiguous duo of “harmony and compatibility,” which has bedeviled

residents and officials since it was added to the city’s residential

design guidelines, may be excised tonight.

In its place could be “design excellence,” with specifics on how

to achieve that excellence.

Today, the Planning Commission will consider changing the city’s

zoning code and residential design guidelines, covering issues such

as floor area ratios, second-story construction and design review

procedures.

The goal of the changes is to make the process less subjective and

expedite what can turn into a protracted effort by residents to build

or remodel their home, Planning Commission Chairman Bruce Garlich

said.

Councilman Gary Monahan initiated review of the zoning code and

guidelines. The commission has already held one public hearing and

two study sessions on the changes, Garlich said.

While the present residential design guidelines cover all

residential construction, staff basically recommends adding an

exception for single-story construction in low-density residential

zones to the new guidelines.

The new focus on design excellence includes site planning,

landscaping, location of windows and varied roof forms.

It also includes a warning that the guidelines can’t project every

site design issue, so meeting the “intent” of the guidelines will be

the dominant consideration.

The City Council had requested more specifics in the guidelines

for second-story side setbacks, so the staff used specific language

that allows for design flexibility. It recommends that the side of

the building with the second story be set back an average of 10 feet,

but no closer than 5 feet from the side property line, with a few

exceptions.

The changes also call for the zoning administrator to review all

two-story additions in a view preservation area, although the council

has yet to establish such an area.

The commission told the council the areas it thinks should be

considered, including the Gleneagle and Aviemore terraces. The

council will consider a resolution on view preservation on April 21.