1 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:12,000 The January 27th uh 2026 meeting of the Stillwater Planning Commission will now 2 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:15,920 come to order. It will be the process this evening to call for items on the 3 00:00:13,759 --> 00:00:19,840 agenda. The commission will hear briefly from staff first, then the applicant 4 00:00:18,080 --> 00:00:23,279 and/or their representative, then open the public hearing and hear from those 5 00:00:21,359 --> 00:00:26,720 in favor and/or in opposition to the request. When you come to the podium, 6 00:00:25,359 --> 00:00:30,720 please clearly state your name and address for the record. And then before 7 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:33,680 closing the public hearing, both staff, the applicant and or their 8 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:37,120 representative will be provided an opportunity to respond to provide 9 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:41,280 additional information and answer questions. After all interested parties 10 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:46,079 have spoken, the public hearing will be closed. We will hear closing remarks and 11 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:50,719 alternatives from staff. So the first item this evening um on 12 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:54,320 under public hearings is to receive public comment regarding a text 13 00:00:52,160 --> 00:00:59,840 amendment to the Stillwater City Code. And we shall hear from staff. 14 00:00:57,039 --> 00:01:04,159 Yes, ma'am. Good evening, um, commissioners, chair. Um, my name is 15 00:01:02,399 --> 00:01:09,040 Henry Velheimer with development services, and tonight we're looking at a 16 00:01:06,799 --> 00:01:11,920 text amendment. This text amendment was tabled at the last planning commission 17 00:01:10,479 --> 00:01:15,439 meeting as there was some recommended changes. Um, so we went ahead and made 18 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:18,799 those changes so we can present that to you. We know ahead of time there has 19 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:22,640 been one other change since then based on meetings we've had um with the Greek 20 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:27,119 ne Greek neighborhood association. So, we'll get into that as we go. I'm going 21 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:30,400 to do kind of a summarized presentation compared to, you know, what I did last 22 00:01:28,479 --> 00:01:34,960 time. Um, so definitely feel free to jump in if you have any questions. So, 23 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:38,799 this is a text amendment to the RMI and RMU zoning districts. Um, specifically 24 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:41,920 updating the way we regulate Greek houses. 25 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:47,119 Here's the current definition, which is in 237. It's a generally defined term in 26 00:01:44,320 --> 00:01:50,799 our code. We are moving this to section 2396 and adding in this green portion. 27 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:56,320 I'll go ahead and read that green portion. Um, but this is requiring that 28 00:01:53,040 --> 00:02:01,040 a Greek or a fraternity or sorority be affiliated with a university recognized 29 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:06,000 chapter of a fraternity or sorority. And it's moving the section to 2396, which 30 00:02:03,759 --> 00:02:09,520 is our use definitions. What this means is we're defining a fraternity or 31 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:12,879 sorority as a use. Since we're now defining it as a use instead of a 32 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:18,080 general term, it means we must then say what zoning districts it's allowed in. 33 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:21,840 So, we're adding it to 23140, which is the RMI or residential multif family 34 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:26,239 intermediate zoning district as an allowed use. 35 00:02:23,920 --> 00:02:31,200 We're also adding it to 23141, which is RMU, residential multif family urban um 36 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:35,040 to again allow fraternity or sority house as a use in that zoning district. 37 00:02:33,519 --> 00:02:38,319 We're also changing those sideyard setbacks. So, I'll go ahead and read 38 00:02:36,239 --> 00:02:42,160 that section outlined in green. fraternity or sorority house. When a 39 00:02:40,319 --> 00:02:46,160 sideyard has a common boundary with property in any single family 40 00:02:43,599 --> 00:02:50,239 residential district or use, the minimum minimum setback is 15 ft. When a 41 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:54,400 sideyard has a common boundary with a property in any district or any other 42 00:02:52,640 --> 00:02:58,239 district or use, the minimum setback is 5 ft. Um, functionally what this is 43 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:01,440 saying is throughout the Greek neighborhood, it's very common for the 44 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:04,560 Greek houses to be beside the Greek houses. There's a few scenarios, there's 45 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:09,440 like two or three that we could find where a Greek house is abuing a single 46 00:03:06,239 --> 00:03:14,400 family um district or use. Um our intent was not negatively affect that single 47 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:18,400 family house or district. So that would have the same 15t side setback if you're 48 00:03:16,319 --> 00:03:20,959 abing that single family house. But if you're a Greek house, abuing a Greek 49 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:26,319 house, um there have been multiple variances to decrease that side setback. 50 00:03:22,879 --> 00:03:29,760 So, we've decreasing this to the 5-ft side setback, which mirrors the 51 00:03:27,920 --> 00:03:34,400 requirements in RMI, which is that multif family intermediate district. Um, 52 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:39,599 one caveat I will add to that is there's still a 3-ft additional side setback 53 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:42,879 added to that 5-ft for each story above the first story. So, if you're a 54 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:47,040 two-story house, you would have an 8ft setback. If you're a three-story house, 55 00:03:44,159 --> 00:03:50,560 it would be 11. Moving on to the exceptions. These are 56 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:56,080 the exceptions that are written into both RMI and RMU. These are for both 57 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:59,360 districts. Um, so starting from the top, residential structures not divided into 58 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:03,599 dwelling units shall have densities determined as each four beds shall be 59 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:08,159 deemed to constitute one dwelling unit. To make that makes sense, when we use 60 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:11,439 this as calculating density, each zoning district has a maximum dwelling units 61 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:14,319 per acre that are allowed. It's really easy to calculate with that when you 62 00:04:12,799 --> 00:04:18,160 have like an apartment complex. There's 10 apartments in it. That is 10 dwelling 63 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:21,120 units. Easy to calculate. gets more tricky when you're looking at a 64 00:04:19,280 --> 00:04:24,160 fraternity house because although that's one kitchen, that's not one dwelling 65 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:28,320 unit. You know, there's a lot more people living in there. So, the way 66 00:04:26,639 --> 00:04:31,759 we're calculating that is four beds shall be deemed as one dwelling unit. 67 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:35,919 The previous calculation was very similar, but just more confusing. So, 68 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:39,120 this was just for clarity. Uh, moving on to that second bullet point, a structure 69 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:41,919 being built for a fraternity or sority house shall be built to have a 70 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:48,320 residential appearance, which shall include a front porch. Um, street facing 71 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:54,240 facades shall be constructed of masonry material which shall include brick, cast 72 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:58,720 stone, stone or ephus and stucco. Um, and at least 50% of which shall be brick 73 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:03,040 or stone. Um, again that's just that facade requirement trying to have that 74 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:06,560 quality residential appearance. And that last point is a landscape plan shall be 75 00:05:05,199 --> 00:05:10,720 submitted which meets the require requirements of 23230F. 76 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:14,080 Um, based on the discussion we had at the last planning commission meeting, 77 00:05:12,639 --> 00:05:17,199 um, we heard your feedback that the landscaping requirements should be in 78 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:22,160 the landscape plan, which we agree with. Um, so we've added in 23230F, which 79 00:05:19,759 --> 00:05:25,120 we'll look at in just a second. Um, and lastly, all fraternity and sorority 80 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:28,639 houses shall have a maximum height of two stories for any portion of a 81 00:05:26,639 --> 00:05:33,120 structure that is within 30 ft of a single family residential zoning 82 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:36,320 district or use. Um, in the meeting we had with the Greek Neighborhood 83 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:40,880 Association, there was some confusion on this requirement. So, just to clarify 84 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:44,320 real quick, um if you're building a house beside a 85 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:49,520 Greek house beside a single family house, which we did find, I think two 86 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:53,199 instances where this would apply. Um the Greek house already has that side 87 00:05:51,280 --> 00:05:56,880 setback of 15t since you're abing a single family house. So, you would have 88 00:05:54,560 --> 00:06:01,520 have that setback of 15t. Let's say you're building the house right up to 89 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:05,600 the setbacks as generally is done. Um that means that first 15 foot of the 90 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:13,840 structure has a maximum height of 30 feet of two stories or 30 feet. 91 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:17,759 Two stories so sorry. So only the first 15t of that structure would be within 30 92 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:20,960 ft of that property line. Any portion of the structure within 30t of the property 93 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:24,639 line has a maximum height of two stories. The rest of the building has 94 00:06:22,479 --> 00:06:28,240 the maximum height of 50 foot which is the the maximum height for RMI or RMU. 95 00:06:27,039 --> 00:06:33,840 So, it's not affecting the entire building, just that portion within 30 96 00:06:30,639 --> 00:06:38,720 foot of the single family house. And then 23230F landscaping. Ignore the 97 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:42,319 red for now. I'll talk about that in just a second. Um, but this is the 98 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:45,919 section we're adding in. The verbiage is very similar to that which we proposed 99 00:06:43,919 --> 00:06:50,880 last time, which is that a fraternity or sority house, a landscape plan with at 100 00:06:47,840 --> 00:06:55,840 least one tree, and 10 shrubs per 30 ft of lineal frontage. Um, reading this 101 00:06:53,600 --> 00:07:00,319 without the red first. Corner lots shall provide landscaping for both front 102 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:03,680 yards. Landscaping shall be a minimum requirement for the lot which can be 103 00:07:01,759 --> 00:07:06,160 clumped or spread throughout the parcel. I've mentioned that neighborhood, the 104 00:07:05,039 --> 00:07:13,120 meeting with the Greek neighborhood association. Their primary concern was 105 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:17,680 the landscape code being um negatively affecting the Greek neighborhood. Um 106 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:21,680 they pointed out that the decks are a big part of Greek row um specifically 107 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:24,960 for homecoming and that happens in the front yard. So, they wanted to make sure 108 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:29,360 that this didn't negatively affect the neighborhoods. Um, especially since most 109 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:33,440 Greek houses, which we did look and they're correct, most Greek houses are 110 00:07:31,759 --> 00:07:37,520 on two frontages. Some of them even have three frontages as they reach from one 111 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:41,280 street to the other. Um, so with that in mind, to make sure that this landscape 112 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:46,720 code didn't negatively affect the Greek houses, staff is proposing the changes 113 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:50,240 in red, which is that corner lots shall provide landscaping for the primary 114 00:07:48,479 --> 00:07:55,440 front yard, which is the front yard that the property is addressed from. Um to 115 00:07:53,520 --> 00:08:00,240 make that clear, that's just setting the requirement for the parcel. As in if you 116 00:07:57,599 --> 00:08:03,680 have 100 foot of frontage onto university and university is what you're 117 00:08:01,759 --> 00:08:08,639 addressed on, that sets the landscaping requirement for the site, which is one 118 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:13,280 tree and 10 shrubs per 30 foot of that 100 foot. Um the landscaping can still 119 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:18,400 be on your other frontages or even your backyard. It just that that's the 120 00:08:15,599 --> 00:08:23,680 requirement for the site. Um, so that was the change that was proposed to not 121 00:08:21,759 --> 00:08:26,879 negatively affect those neighborhoods. Any other changes can of course be 122 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:30,599 discussed. I'm open to answer any questions if you have any. 123 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:48,800 » I have a couple questions. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, so when you're talking, 124 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:54,959 we're talking about the setback and the restriction of the two stories. What is 125 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:59,920 the definition of portion to limit the height of any portion 126 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:06,480 that's within 30 ft of single family zoning district to use two stories? What 127 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:11,680 would what breaks up a portion so that could it could then another portion of 128 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:16,000 the house go up three or is this saying a portion is the 129 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:22,080 entire structure or a portion is a structural bay or a portion is 3 ft. 130 00:09:19,839 --> 00:09:27,200 » Yes ma'am. >> Um so it's not we don't actually have a 131 00:09:24,959 --> 00:09:30,800 definition of a portion of a structure. Um, but the way it was intended to be 132 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:34,640 interpreted when we wrote that is that like 133 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:38,000 » so you would have that 15t setback from the side property line and this is 134 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:42,399 generally from the side property line because that would be beside the single 135 00:09:39,279 --> 00:09:45,360 family house. So then the first 15t of that structure if the structure was 136 00:09:43,680 --> 00:09:48,480 built right up to that setback line would have to be two stories because 137 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:50,720 that would be within 30t of the property line. 138 00:09:48,959 --> 00:09:54,320 » So a portion would be equal to the setback distance. 139 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:58,560 » It would be 30 foot from the property line. So if you had a 30-ft setback, you 140 00:09:57,279 --> 00:10:03,200 wouldn't have any restrictions here. It's just if you're within 30 foot of 141 00:10:00,959 --> 00:10:06,800 the property line of that single family use or district. 142 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:13,040 So it's just that >> that was intended to be the the line 143 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:15,680 there is if you're within 30 30 foot of the property line, that portion that is 144 00:10:14,959 --> 00:10:18,720 within 30 >> portion within the 30 ft. 145 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:22,000 » Yeah. The the intent is the rest of the structure that is more than 30 foot 146 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:26,160 would have the same maximum height as the rest of the houses, which would be 147 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:31,440 50 foot. Okay, got it. 148 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:34,480 And then I want to clarify the landscape requirement for corner lots. 149 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:40,640 » Yes, ma'am. >> So now we're recognizing a front lot. 150 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:47,000 We're not recognizing both frontages. We're just saying one's 151 00:10:42,560 --> 00:10:47,000 a frontage. So 152 00:10:47,279 --> 00:10:57,120 I'll just use it for instance of one that's currently under construction. 153 00:10:52,560 --> 00:11:02,720 So if university is the addressing street then it would be required to have 154 00:10:59,839 --> 00:11:08,079 one tree and 10 shrubs per 30 lineal feet of frontage if there is frontage 155 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:11,279 along say Monroe. >> Mhm. 156 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:14,959 » Nothing would be required over there. >> Yes ma'am. 157 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:19,040 And the landscaping is not required to be along university. It's just required 158 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:24,200 to be on the parcel and that would that front university dilute it. Yes, ma'am. 159 00:11:39,279 --> 00:11:45,240 » And that that's that's deemed a hardship by the Greek neighborhood. 160 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:52,800 » I would say a concern more than a hardship. 161 00:11:50,959 --> 00:11:57,279 I think that that depends on the design of the house as well because the thing 162 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:59,519 is is like >> you're referencing a very specific 163 00:11:58,959 --> 00:12:02,959 house. >> Well, I was just the first neighborhood 164 00:12:01,279 --> 00:12:06,160 that came to or the first corner that came to mind. 165 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:13,839 » If that house is facing if that house is angled facing the intersection, 166 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:19,760 » I would think that they're going to probably use symmetrical landscaping on 167 00:12:16,079 --> 00:12:22,480 each side regardless. But for example, the house across the street, 168 00:12:21,680 --> 00:12:28,240 » correct, >> is different and faces directly towards 169 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:32,880 university. And it kind of does make sense for them not to have to have the 170 00:12:30,399 --> 00:12:38,320 landscaping on the Monroe side because of the way that that house is oriented 171 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:41,320 on that corner. Mhm. 172 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:49,839 And I can and I can see for house decorations wanting to preserve an area. 173 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:54,639 Um but shrubbery can be adjacent to could be next to the 174 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:57,920 building. It wouldn't have to have clearances say like a tree would 175 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:01,800 » right >> tree needs more space, 176 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:10,560 » you know? So I mean is there I I was thinking about this as well as you 177 00:13:08,560 --> 00:13:16,880 mentioned that is there a specific definition of a tree versus a shrub. 178 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:23,120 » What is a tree? [laughter] >> Um I do believe in our code it has 179 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:28,880 different it technically defines small, medium and large trees. We don't have um 180 00:13:26,959 --> 00:13:32,000 like an approved tree list um like some cities have of this is what we would 181 00:13:30,560 --> 00:13:35,279 consider an approved tree and we don't have them broken into separate 182 00:13:33,519 --> 00:13:39,440 categories. Um that's one thing we're considering to get more specific. Um 183 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:44,880 » don't we have like a recommended list of trees 184 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:47,760 recommended for longevity or something? I thought we had 185 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:51,279 a list. >> That list sounds like something that 186 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:54,959 might exist but not something that I'm aware of. So I can't say for sure. I I 187 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:56,880 don't believe it's in our code. If it is there, 188 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:59,920 » may not be in the code. >> Um 189 00:13:57,839 --> 00:14:02,800 » there's a tree definition, >> but um I know for example it gets a 190 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:07,199 little tricky looking at stuff like crate myrtle which 191 00:14:04,639 --> 00:14:10,079 » is defined is technically a tree >> um but for example that's a small tree 192 00:14:08,639 --> 00:14:15,760 that functions more like a bush in some scenarios. So 193 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:20,920 » there's a definition in here >> of a tree. Perfect 194 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:20,920 » tree 195 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,760 shrubs also defined. 196 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:48,880 » Sorry for the distraction there, but I was just thinking about that. So, 197 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:53,279 continuing on what you were saying with >> the front yard versus sideyard more or 198 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:57,680 less, >> right? 199 00:14:55,360 --> 00:15:02,880 » But it's it's like of of the fraternity and sority houses, the way it typically 200 00:14:59,440 --> 00:15:06,720 works here in Still Water, generally speaking, the fraternities are 201 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:10,639 the ones that have that host the house decorations, and so they'd like to 202 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:14,959 preserve a sideyard. There are 203 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:20,880 several in my mind for sorority houses that have sideyards. 204 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:25,839 Um, they wouldn't have to be preserving something for a house decoration. 205 00:15:24,399 --> 00:15:33,880 I mean, I would think most of them would want to still 206 00:15:28,399 --> 00:15:33,880 have the landscaping to look nice. 207 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:45,680 So, let me let me let me pose this question. So out of the 208 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:51,360 one tree and the shrubbery as is defined, how does that 209 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:54,880 correlate to our current point system? Is that would that meet the requirements 210 00:15:52,959 --> 00:15:59,800 of the current point system or is it greater or less than what we would 211 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:59,800 typically do? 212 00:16:00,079 --> 00:16:06,320 » I hate to say for sure off the top of my head, but um in any scenario that I've 213 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:10,000 seen, this would meet those requirements. Um, 214 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:14,639 » so it wouldn't it wouldn't exceed what we're currently asking and it's not 215 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:16,480 » it would it would likely exceed. 216 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:20,320 » Yes, ma'am. >> I'm just trying to figure out are we are 217 00:16:17,839 --> 00:16:24,639 we creating something that's more or less than what we would currently have 218 00:16:21,759 --> 00:16:29,040 in place. So, um, David Bar, Development Services. Um, you know, we asked our 219 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:33,839 consultant to help us with this and we did a comparative analysis, um, looking 220 00:16:31,519 --> 00:16:40,240 at Lawrence, Kansas, Columbia, Missouri, other um, college towns um, and looking 221 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:45,440 at um, specifically zoning uh, requirements for Greek houses. And um we 222 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:50,160 felt like and and their recommendation was if we were going to reduce the 223 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:54,800 setbacks for these fraternities and sororities that are right next to each 224 00:16:51,519 --> 00:16:59,519 other that um one thing that we might want to consider is to require some 225 00:16:57,199 --> 00:17:06,319 additional landscaping to soften that. And so all this particular section does 226 00:17:03,519 --> 00:17:09,679 is establish a requirement. The requirement can be on the sideyard. It 227 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:12,880 could be in the front yard. They could put all the trees on the side. all of 228 00:17:11,120 --> 00:17:18,000 them on the front. They could all it's saying is for that frontage though you 229 00:17:15,360 --> 00:17:22,480 need to add 10 shrubs and one tree per 30 ft of frontage but it doesn't tell 230 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:27,600 you where you put those items. And so what we have noticed is some of the 231 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:30,240 newer Greek homes are and um well actually you asked a question about our 232 00:17:29,039 --> 00:17:33,840 landscaping code. Right now our landscaping code in most instances 233 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:37,840 people can meet the point requirement by using grass and so there is no 234 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:43,280 requirements necessarily to have trees or shrubs. Um, but you know, people do 235 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:47,280 do that because it looks nicer. And so what we were trying to do instead of a 236 00:17:44,799 --> 00:17:51,679 of a big fraternity just putting sound sod and meeting their point system, we 237 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:56,720 were wanting them to actually have to have some, you know, vertical um 238 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:59,720 vertical landscaping. Um, 239 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:08,240 I was going somewhere and then I or I I went back to your landscape plan and 240 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:14,280 what was I talking about right before that? Um, 241 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,280 » you 242 00:18:16,799 --> 00:18:21,919 right >> that that we were looking at trying to 243 00:18:19,679 --> 00:18:25,520 soften what we have. So, if we were going to if you're going to 244 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:29,919 » decrease the setbacks and have greater density, then having the plant material 245 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:33,120 is going to soften. >> Oh, I know what I was saying. So, what 246 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:37,360 we we we've actually looked at some of the newer Greek houses and they've got 247 00:18:35,039 --> 00:18:42,320 trees, but they're these like spruce trees that are really tall and small 248 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:47,280 diameter right up in the build against the building um with shrubs next to 249 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:51,120 them. Well, those would still work and they wouldn't combat with your house 250 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:54,880 decorations. Um, and yeah, we've noticed that most of the sororities have a lot 251 00:18:53,120 --> 00:18:58,400 more landscaping than the fraternities. And I think for the reason that they're 252 00:18:56,400 --> 00:19:03,600 trying to protect that yard for their house decorations. Um, and we're not 253 00:19:00,559 --> 00:19:07,760 trying to, um, inhibit that in any way. Um, but we would like to see, I mean, I 254 00:19:05,679 --> 00:19:11,520 can think of one fraternity, um, it's probably the biggest one, um, right on 255 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:15,840 university that has almost zero landscaping in front of it. Um, I mean, 256 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:21,120 they've got a nice lawn, but there's nothing else. And so, um, we would like 257 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:25,039 to see, um, you know, as we as we make some adjustments here, we would like to 258 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:29,520 see some more landscaping. Um, but we're not saying that it has to be out there, 259 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:35,440 um, in harm's way of every year's homecoming. Uh, so 260 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:39,360 that's all I have. >> Thank you. 261 00:19:37,679 --> 00:19:43,480 And so then the setback on the front yard is, remind me again. 262 00:19:44,559 --> 00:19:50,320 Are we at 25? on the front yard. 263 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:55,559 » Don't remember off the top of my head. So, sorry. 264 00:19:52,559 --> 00:19:55,559 Um, 265 00:19:59,039 --> 00:20:05,640 I was just looking at the short notes. We can go back and look at the section. 266 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:32,200 Sorry, I thought I had a faster way to get there and it's taking me longer. 267 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:37,360 » Front yard. >> Front yard 20 ft. 268 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:44,240 » RMI >> abetting the right away. 269 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:47,799 and you >> it's also 23. 270 00:20:51,719 --> 00:20:53,739 [snorts] 271 00:20:55,200 --> 00:21:02,799 » So I guess what I what I'm gathering is what we're asking for here is more than 272 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:06,159 we would currently have and it's addressing 273 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:11,320 the setbacks being tighter. 274 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:11,320 Okay. 275 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:16,840 Thank you for indulging that discussion. >> Of course, 276 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:23,840 » those were the questions I had. Does anybody have any other questions? 277 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:28,559 » Yeah, I have one. How how does the staff ensure if it's even possible that that 278 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:32,480 these reduced setbacks remain limited to fraternity and sorority houses and don't 279 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:37,600 create pressure to extend similar standards to other high occupancy 280 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:43,200 residential uses? >> It's a good question. Um 281 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:46,480 to your first point, um it would only apply to fraternity or sorority houses. 282 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:50,960 And then that's kind of why we tightened up that definition to say it has to be 283 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:55,679 with a university affiliated fraternity or sorority. Um so for example, if you 284 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:59,760 were building an apartment complex, you would still have those 15t side 285 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:03,600 setbacks. Um, but to the second point of your question that like it could 286 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:08,159 increase pressure to decrease the setbacks for those other types of 287 00:22:05,039 --> 00:22:12,000 highdensity housing. Um, I could see that. Um, and I think that's 288 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:15,200 just something we'll have to work with moving forward specifically with that 289 00:22:13,360 --> 00:22:18,960 bigger picture code update. That would be one of the questions we'd have to 290 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:21,600 look at is whether for like a multif family we would want those smaller 291 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:24,960 setbacks as well. >> Yeah, I could see a developer would try 292 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:28,320 to use that as an argument if they needed it. 293 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:31,919 But the fact that you've put it as specific to sorities and fraternities 294 00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:35,120 has got to be helpful. >> Yes, sir. At at least for this point, 295 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:39,440 the way this update is written, it would only affect fraternities or sorities, 296 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:42,640 but I could see it putting pressure for us to update the code to decrease it for 297 00:22:41,679 --> 00:22:46,000 others. And >> yeah. 298 00:22:43,360 --> 00:22:49,640 » Yeah, that's all I had. 299 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:53,720 Any 300 00:22:55,120 --> 00:22:59,000 other questions for staff? 301 00:22:59,919 --> 00:23:04,720 Thank you. We open the public hearing and ask if there's anyone in the 302 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:09,679 audience who would like to speak in favor of this item to come forward. 303 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:13,200 Seeing none, we'll ask if there's anyone in the audience who would like to speak 304 00:23:11,360 --> 00:23:16,880 in opposition of this item to please come forward. 305 00:23:15,360 --> 00:23:23,120 Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing and ask staff to present 306 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:28,559 findings and alternatives. Yes, ma'am. So, our findings are um the proposed 307 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:32,159 text amendment updates the how the city regulates fraternity and sorority 308 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:35,440 houses. The proposed text amendment updates the definition of fraternity or 309 00:23:33,919 --> 00:23:40,000 sorority house and moves the definition to the use categories. The side setback 310 00:23:38,159 --> 00:23:44,000 for fraternity and sorority houses in the RMU zoning district is proposed to 311 00:23:41,919 --> 00:23:47,919 be reduced to align with the sideyard setback requirements in RMI. Design 312 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:52,400 standards for fraternity and sorority houses are proposed to be incorporated 313 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:57,679 into the RMI and RMU districts to ensure quality of residential design. 314 00:23:55,120 --> 00:24:00,720 Um so your alternatives tonight are to um accept findings and recommend the 315 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:05,039 city council approve the proposed text amendment to conditionally approve the 316 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:09,679 proposed text amendment to table discussion or um deny it. Recommend city 317 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:13,279 council deny it. Staff recommends alternative number two, which is what I 318 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:20,400 was changing as I was rushing down here last minute. Um, with the proposed 319 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:23,279 changes to 23230F as presented. Um, so that would be to accept findings and 320 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:29,039 recommend the city council conditionally approve the text amendment with those 321 00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:32,400 proposed changes as presented. >> I'll have to [clears throat] 322 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:36,640 recommend that you include the change specifically. 323 00:24:33,279 --> 00:24:40,320 » Okay. So, um, with the changes to 23230F, 324 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:44,240 um, to apply to the primary front yard only for corner lots. 325 00:24:41,919 --> 00:24:46,960 » Okay. >> Yeah. The wording of that is what I was 326 00:24:45,679 --> 00:24:50,919 trying to get right with like the last minute. I was like, I'll just go 327 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:09,200 Anyone entertaining a motion? 328 00:25:07,679 --> 00:25:12,467 » I would if I could figure out how to say it. [laughter] 329 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:17,600 » I can give you a recommendation. >> Option two as they recommend it would be 330 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:19,919 what I would >> Okay. So, um 331 00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:23,600 » if go ahead. >> A re I think I got it. 332 00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:30,320 » Okay. I would motion that we approve the text 333 00:25:27,679 --> 00:25:37,200 amendment as presented with the changes made to 23230F 334 00:25:33,120 --> 00:25:41,000 regarding the sideyard landscaping requirements. 335 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:48,400 » Is that good enough? No. Just to slightly amend it to apply to the 336 00:25:45,679 --> 00:25:54,159 primary front yard only for corner lots >> to 23230F 337 00:25:50,880 --> 00:26:00,720 to the primary front yard for corner lots landscaping requirements. 338 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:02,960 » Fantastic. Do I hear a second? >> Second. 339 00:26:01,360 --> 00:26:06,200 » We have a motion and a second. We shall now vote. 340 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:14,720 » Motion passes 5-0. The next uh item on the agenda is the 341 00:26:13,039 --> 00:26:20,080 meeting summary for review and possible action. We have the um meeting summary 342 00:26:17,279 --> 00:26:26,039 for the regular meeting on January 6th. Are there any uh corrections or 343 00:26:22,159 --> 00:26:26,039 additions to the draft? 344 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:43,960 I move to accept the summary as presented. 345 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:43,960 We have a motion. Do we have a second? 346 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:49,960 » Second. >> We have a motion and a second. We shall 347 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:49,960 now vote. 348 00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:56,080 » Motion passes 5-0. Next item on the agenda is miscellaneous 349 00:26:54,720 --> 00:27:00,400 items from staff, planning commissioners, or the city attorney for 350 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:03,760 discussion and possible action. >> Nothing for me. 351 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:08,640 » All right. Seeing none, uh we do have a note here that says the next uh regular 352 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:11,919 meeting is scheduled for February 3rd. And the last item on the agenda is 353 00:27:10,559 --> 00:27:15,799 adjournment. Do I hear a motion to adjurnn? 354 00:27:12,559 --> 00:27:15,799 » So moved. 355 00:27:15,919 --> 00:27:20,793 » Second. >> We have a motion in a second. We shall 356 00:27:17,919 --> 00:27:23,360 now vote. [snorts] 357 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:26,360 Motion passes 5-0. We now stand adjourned.