HomeMy WebLinkAbout9B - Bldg. Height Ordinance
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
September 20, 2004 .4
:~ank Boyles, City Manag~
AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE
A REPORT TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE
WITH RESPECT TO BUILDING HEIGHTS.
DISCUSSION: Historv: For some years now, the Prior Lake Zoning Ordinance has limited
building heights to 35 feet. We believe that the rationale for this limitation was
that it addressed the needs of any residential buildings built in Prior Lake.
Current Circumstances: In the past few months, the City Council has seen
concept plans for planned unit developments which propose four story buildings.
Accordingly, the Planning Commission asked the staff to prepare an amendment
to the planned unit development portion of the Zoning Ordinance. The Planning
Commission is reviewing a change in the Zoning Ordinance which would not
place a limit on building heights in PUDs like Shepherd's Path and Jeffers Pond.
The staff has received inquiries from developers in other zoning districts,
including C-3 (Downtown), requesting building heights exceeding 35 feet. The
staff would like to conduct research regarding the appropriateness of modifying
the existing building height provisions. Our report would be reviewed by the
Planning Commission and submitted for Council consideration. Following a
review of the report, the Council could decide to retain the existing limitations or
direct the staff to prepare an ordinance to revise the height requirements based
upon zoning districts.
Conclusion: To initiate the report would require City Council action.
ALTERNATIVES:
(1) Adopt a motion directing the staff to prepare a report regarding maximum
building heights in all districts except the planned unit development district.
(2) Take no action.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
Alternative (1).
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