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APPEAL #306 - (Continued) <br /> <br />Councilman Patterson stated he believed that the staff had been unfairly critized; <br />that if the applicant wishes to go with R 2 zoning, the open space requirement <br />would not be as great, but that if he wishes higher density, as in R 4, the staff <br />has been encouraged to require the 50% open space; that in essence, the applicant <br />is seeking a variance for density reasons. <br /> <br />Councilman Evans asked if, in figuring the 25% open space, staff considered such <br />things as balconies, recreation area, etc.; if not, how much open space could be <br />added in this way? <br /> <br />The Director of Planning stated that in figuring percentage of open space, it is <br />always based on 100%; that a unit of land area is counted only once; that the <br />applicant had proposed putting astroturf on the roof and calling it open space; that <br />a roof is not counted as open space; and that any time an area is counted double, <br />the 100% would be exceeded. <br /> <br />In response to Councilman Evans' question concerning the recreation area and <br />patios, the Planning Director stated that there is no recreation building and the <br />patios on the ground were counted. <br /> <br />Councilman Herrin stated that the reason for the recommendation to deny was <br />based on the need for the "B" suffix parking zoning, which is being questioned <br />now because there has been no new building in that area; that apparently the <br />parking is not needed and there needs to be some other consideration given to <br />the use and development of this property; that the neighbors have found nothing <br />unfavorable in the development. <br /> <br />Councilman Yamamoto stated that he does not agree with the balcony being <br />counted as open space; that it is rented by the tenants as their private property <br />and cannot be considered open space. <br /> <br />In response to Councilman Villa's question, Mr. Lebanoff stated that, even with <br />the sauna, sun deck, balconies, etc., the maximum open space that could be <br />provided would be 35 - 40%. <br /> <br />The Mayor stated he is not in favor of' the high density in this area and would <br />like to have the Planning Commission and the South Main Association study the <br />whole area. <br /> <br />Councilman Markel stated that it is disappointing to him as a member of the <br />South Main Improvement Association that only three of the people who own <br />property on$outh Main Street have purchased property on the two back streets <br />to provide parking for their stores; that only one has completed the project by <br />using that property for parking; that this development under consideration will <br />bring business into the South Main group as well as into the City of Santa Aha. <br /> <br />Councilman Patterson stated that this could set a precedent and the whole area <br />could become apartments; that possibly this would be good, but that there <br />should be a study made to show that this should be done; that an increase in <br />density is also being considered far above what would normally be permitted <br />under the variance, and consideration is being given to waiving the 50% open <br />space requirement; that he does not believe the people in the neighborhood <br />would be happy with bachelor apartments. <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL MINUTES <br /> <br />-290- <br /> <br />JULY 17, 1972 <br /> <br /> <br />