The Zoning & Planning Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Amendments to Chapter 30 Zoning to allow routine residential alterations with existing nonconforming height (6–0-1, Krintzman not voting) The amendments clarified that additions to homes already over the height limit may proceed by right if no portion of the new work exceeds the existing ridgeline and all other zoning controls are met (FAR, setbacks, lot coverage, stories, façade ratio when in effect). Staff noted this avoids unnecessary retaining walls on sloped lots and supports sensitive renovations of older housing stock.
- Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) amendment to include 4-6 units in a development and raise the requirements for the number of affordable units in larger developments (6–0-1, Krintzman not voting) Members debated in-lieu payments for 7–19-unit projects, which go into the Housing Trust and the Housing Authority, which primarily rent properties “so ownership opportunities might be lost.” The committee amended its prior report to keep the existing in-lieu threshold for 7-9 unit ownership projects, to maintain consistency between rental and ownership projects, while advancing the broader package approved earlier in the term. Amendment passed 4–2 (Albright, Danberg opposed)
Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Oliver, Albright, Wright, Kalis, Danberg, and Krintzman
Absent: Councilor Getz
Also Present: Councilor Block and Farrell
City Staff: Director of Planning and Development Barney Heath, Chief of Long Range Planning Zachery LeMel, and Housing Program Manager Lara Kritzer
