03.04.2014 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. Discussion regarding SmartCode and SmartCode warrants, including standards and the process for approving deviations from those standards, and provide direction to Staff. John Foreman, Planning Manager, provided Council with a presentation regarding the SmartCode and SmartCode warrants, including standards and the process for approving deviations from those standards. Council provided consensus to move forward with Option #2 of the process options to require Council approval for approval of warrants over 5 stories. Council will consider further criteria options related to intent when Staff brings back some suggestions for their consideration. Some suggestions brought forth during conversation were time limit, diversity of housing, transportation, density, and parking. 6. Invocation Debbie Morningstar Adams provided this evening's invocation. 7. Pledges of Allegiance - United States and Texas Noel Santoy, a 5t' grade student at Hernandez Elementary provided this evening's invocation 8. 30 Minute Citizen Comment Period John David Carson, San Marcos, addressed the Council regarding the SmartCode presentation on Item #5. He stated that the warrant process was discussed in significant detail when the SmartCode was adopted. In fact, the off -the -shelf version recommended warrants be processed administratively by Staff, by the Council concluded those decisions were best made by the Planning and Zoning Commission in a public hearing. He stated that he felt it would be a mistake to create a convoluted Density Bonus formula. That is an example of how codes become 500 page documents that few people can understand, staffs cannot effectively administer, and always miss key issues for each request. He concluded with his belief that P &Z is the appropriate body to continue to make warrant decisions and he encouraged the Council to keep the existing regulations with no changes. Larry Mock, San Marcos, addressed the Council related to letter written by his grandfather during the World War 1 in which he described the landscape in Paris and the heights of the buildings at that time. He described the fact that sunlight was barely able to be seen between them due to the density. He stated that this reminded him of decisions that we are currently facing regarding density in our downtown. Consent Agenda 9. Consider approval of the following minutes: February 14, 2014 Packet Meeting Minutes Februan 18 2014 Regular Cill Council Meeting Minutes 10.Consider approval of Ordinance 2014 -12, on the second of two readings, amending the