Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-1999 - MinutesMEDINA CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP January 4, 1999 7:30 PM SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Medina City Hall 501 Evergreen Point Rd. The special meeting workshop of the Medina City Council was called to order at 7:30 PM by Mayor Becker. OATH OF OFFICE Mayor Becker presented Medina's newest Councilmember, Paul Demitriades. City Clerk Finnigan then administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember Demitriades. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Suzanne Cohen, Paul Demitriades, Thomas Morgan, Susan Potts, Steve Preston, and Mayor Daniel Becker. Absent: Councilmember Grahame Ross Staff Present: City Manager Doug Schulze, City Attorney Kirk Wines, City Building Official Lowell Erickson, City Clerk Kris Finnigan WORKSHOP Mayor Becker explained that the purpose of the workshop was for the council to reach a consensus on the language of the proposed ordinance, relative to the large home issue. Councilmember Potts gave a brief history of the efforts of the Land and Tree Committee (of which she was a member) in developing tree preservation requirements and design standards for city rights -of -way, and incorporating these into the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Potts related how Medina Heights has worked over the years in preserving views. She stated that Ordinance No. 624 was passed, establishing a neighborhood character preservation district. Medina City Council Minutes January 4, 1999 - Special Meeting Workshop Page 2 Mayor Becker explained that last year there had been an ordinance before the city council, which addressed house heights and setbacks and that a joint committee of the council and planning commission was assembled for further study of that ordinance. Councilmember Morgan stated that on September 9, 1998 the six members of the committee reported on their deliberations. First they had surveyed the city, by land and by water. There was agreement by the committee that the nature of the problem is that the newer homes in Medina are out of step with prior construction in that many of them are extremely large in relation to neighboring homes and properties. The issue was defined not so much in terms of square footage but with respect to the impact of the structures on neighbors, on views of neighbors and on ambiance of the city as a whole by the removal of trees. Councilmember Morgan stated that this is particularly obvious from the water. He added that possible solutions were discussed by the committee. They were: a.) to increase the separation by increasing sideyard setbacks; b.) to limit the bulk of the buildings by limiting sidewall height, the building envelope and/or the roof pitch; and c.) an encouragement of pitched roofs. Councilmember Morgan stated that an ordinance had been passed favoring remodeling and reconstruction rather than demolition and new construction. Councilmember Demitriades stated that the Comprehensive Plan sets out a vision for Medina that states that "Medina will continue to consider ways in which to restrict the size of homes so that individual lots do not become overdeveloped and adversely impact the character of the community." Discussion followed relative to this being an issue of square footage or an issue of impact upon the character of the community, the property where the building is being constructed and the surrounding properties. Building Official Erickson explained how mitigation plans are designed to reduce the impact of construction. Councilmember Cohen reported on research that she had done on the internet as to how other similar cities were dealing with the issue of large homes and view preservation. She stated that more often than not, the height limits were in the range of 25'-28', rather than our 30' to 36', and that many areas had established height restrictions to preserve views. There was discussion relative to lowering the height limit and increasing the sideyard setbacks proportionately. Dick Hansen, 443 86th Ave. NE, expressed his concern over the negative impact that new homes in his neighborhood have had upon his community. Raymond Lee, 1259 Evergreen Point Road, thanked the City Council for their efforts in their study of the issues. He stated that he has seen many changes in the community over the past ten years. He expressed his feeling that the citizens of Medina do care Medina City Council Minutes January 4, 1999 - Special Meeting Workshop Page 3 about these issues and his hope that they will participate in this format in the near future. John Runkel, 8810 NE 2nd PI., stated that he lives in Medina Heights and he is very happy with the rezoning there. He encouraged the council to set height limitations in order to preserve views. There was discussion relative to the possibility of a building moratorium. For the time being, it was removed from the table. After discussion it was decided to propose an ordinance that would restrict building heights to 25', but allow for 31' on the low side of sloped lots and increase sideyard setbacks to 15% of lot width at the building lines with a 10' minimum. It was decided that a flyer would be sent to property owners in Medina, in advance of the January 11, 1999 City Council Meeting, soliciting their comments. A City Council Workshop was scheduled for February 1, 1999, to further study these issues. ADJOURNMENT By common consent, the Council concluded the special meeting at 10:02 p.m., on a motion by Councilmember Potts and a second by Councilmember Demitriades. All were in favor. bar -del F. Becker, Mayor Attest: r� risten Finnig , City Clerk