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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2000 Work Session ( ~ , . MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2000 The Springfield City Council met in Work Session at Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield, on Monday, June 5, 2000 at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Weathers presiding. ATTENDANCE Present were Mayor Weathers and Councilors Ballew, Fitch, Hatfield, Leiken, Lundberg, and Simmons. Also present were City Manager Mike Kelly, Administrative Coordinator Shari Higgins, City Recorder Kim Krebs, City Attorney Joe Leahy, AIC Development Services Director John Tamulonis, Planning Manager Greg Mott, Planner II Robin Johnson, Planner III Gary Karp and members of staff. 1. Continuation of a Public Hearing for Multi-Unit Design Standards - Springfield Development Code Amendments (10. NO. 2000-03-0055). . Planner II Robin Johnson provided photographs of developments where the design standards were either met or would have been used to assist with the projects. Ms. Johnson said the council had reviewed the design standards previously and had three outstanding issues to discuss prior to adoption of the Ordinance. The public hearing was continued to amend the Springfield Development Code to include standards for: planter strips in the public right-of-way, planter islands and shade trees in parking lots, and allowable building heights related to project size. Ms. Johnson said a second reading of the Ordinance and adoption of the amendments, based on finalized discussion, would be held on June 19,2000. Ms. Johnson stated there was no response from the Homebuilder Association when the design standards were provided for review. Two written comments were received from Hanalei Rosen and Tim Hovet. She said the standards received good coverage from press during Planning Commission review, and felt an appropriate level of community notice and staff presentations were gIven. Ms. Johnson said the first issue for review, per the Agenda Item Summary, was planter strips in the public right-of-way. Ms. Johnson said the ordinance suggested a setback sidewalk. Planner III Gary Karp explained the issue and provided answers to council questions regarding Public Utility Easements (PUE) and tree planting. Mr. Karp said if utility work occurs in a PUE then street trees might have to be removed and replaced upon completion of the work. Ifthe sidewalk were setback, then trees would not be located in a PUE. The second issue for discussion was planter islands and shade trees in parking lots. Ms. Johnson provided two additional handouts with photo's showing trees in parking lots. She explained the photo's and Mr. Karp explained the ratio of trees to parking spots. . Ms. Johnson said the last issue was the allowable building lengths related to project size. The standards site 160 foot maximum for building lengths for building which are two or fewer stories. Ms. Johnson said the Planning Commission discussions did not include lengths for larger projects that might be larger than the 160 foot maximum. She referred to additional photos and said she had a hard time finding a building in Springfield larger than 160 feet. I City of Springfield City Council Work Session-June 5, 2000 Page 2 . Councilor Ballew stated she did not want to address the issue of planter strips in the PUE. Councilor Fitch asked about a multi-use sidewalk with crossway bus stops. Mr. Karp said typically bus stops are at the curb. He provided more detail on curb and setback sidewalks. Councilor Fitch suggested alternating trees to provide a better canopy in the planter strips. Mr. Karp agreed and said staff suggests trees be placed in criss-cross option. Councilor Simmons asked how to achieve delineation in the language when parking spaces might not be filled. Mr. Karp suggested keeping language at one tree for every eight parking spaces and reviewing at a future date. Councilor Lundberg spoke regarding setback sidewalks where utilities are located. Mr. Karp said some utilities would be under the sidewalk and some would be located with a manhole cover. Councilor Hatfield stated his preference to not use easements as the standard for setback sidewalks, as it does not work with various zonings. He felt the standards should be consistent with either all planter strips or curbside setbacks, but not a mix of the two. Mayor Weathers preferred locating no planter strips next to on-street parking. She said it is a nuisance for children, those at bus stops, and trees in the PUE. She felt continuing the mix might be acceptable unless it is on an arterial street where no parking is allowed. . There was a discussion on putting language into code regarding changing sidewalk flexibility while trying to define clear and concise design standards. Mr. Karp presented two options: 1) a 20% variance process, and 2) a Type III application, Planning Commission review. Although having two options, each standard could be applied for under one application. There was continued discussion about maintenance, planting, and on-going responsibility. It was agreed to continue this item to the public hearing and have further council discussion. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins ~.10~ Maureen Weathers, Mayor ATTEST: ~' .