Proposed February minutes — original pdf

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Residential Design and Compatibility Commission REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The Residential Design Compatibility Commission convened in a regular meeting on February 4, 2015, City Hall, Boards and Commission Room, 301 West 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. William Burkhardt called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:19 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: William Burkhardt, Karen McGraw, Mary Ingle, Lucy Katz, Keith Jackson (Missy Bledsoe absent, one vacant position) City Staff: Daniel Word C DISCUSSION ITEMS C-2 Discussion of response from legal department related to requests from prior meeting Legal department has determined that the RDCC has jurisdiction to hear cases where work has already been performed. Legal department has determined that a fence located near an open side of a carport does not automatically negate a gross floor area exemption related to that carport. Each case is unique and should be considered on the specific facts present with the case. The legal department has determined that a vote of “no action” can be appealed to council. Commissioner McGraw asked staff for interpretation of how a gate would be viewed during review. Staff commented that a carport is a space used to store a vehicle so if a fence was constructed that prohibited access, then the carport is no longer a carport. Gates would not deny access. A. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 4 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. None B. RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AND COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS B-1 2014-079972 PR Gregory H. Bow 905 Columbus Street  MODIFICATION REQUESTED: The applicant has requested a modification to allow an increase to the maximum gross floor area permitted in Chapter 25-2 of the Land Development Code, Section 2.1 Subchapter F: Residential Design and Compatibility Standards to install a garage door to an existing attached carport of an existing single family residence in a SF-3-NP zoning district. **Item is continuation of postponement from October 1st, 2014 meeting** Commission’s Decision: Commissioner Karen McGraw motion to deny. 2nd by Mary Ingle. Motion fails 3-2 (Katz, Jackson opposed) Commissioner Lucy Katz motion to accept. No 2nd offered. Motion fails for lack of 2nd. Commissioner Lucy Katz motion to take no action. Commissioner Mary Ingle 2nd. APPROVED 4-1 (McGraw opposed) C DISCUSSION ITEMS: C-1 Draft and deliver letter to City Council regarding code modification recommendations related to carports Commissioner Burkhardt has sent the letter to one council member and the letter is ready to be delivered to all at any time. The commission discussed multiple potential modifications to Subchapter F to create better clarity and potential simplifications. –removal of 50% attic criteria and dormers -defining ground floor porches -altering language for the McMansion building line to align with front -sidewall articulation and exceptions Commission will follow up with another letter to address these additional modifications. C-3 Discussion and drafting recommendations to CodeNEXT team related to language modifications in Subchapter F and the Land Development Code Discussion handled under item C-1. Commissioner McGraw emphasized that the carport language revisions should be prioritized above the other recommendations that may be put forward before council or the CodeNEXT team. C-4 Discussion of the mission of the RDCC No discussion C-5 Update on progress of council resolution to dissolve RDCC PDRD will be the processing department for the code amendments necessary to dissolve the RDCC. Earliest expected action is March. Commissioner McGraw questioned why the amendment would take that long to process. Staff responded that the process to bring the amendments back to council is yet to be determined and may have to go before a council committee first before going to the full council.  Commissioner Ingle requested to be kept up to date on the process of the code amendments. D APPROVAL OF MINUTES: D-1 December 3, 2014 Karen McGraw motion to approve. Mary Ingle 2nd. Motion passes without objection. D-2 January 7, 2015 Commissioner Karen McGraw request to add request for legal clarification to minutes- staff will bring back for review at next meeting ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date. Please contact Daniel Word at Planning and Development Review Department, at 512-974-3341,daniel.word@austintexas,gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.