04/14/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e - e John Kaufmann, 625 Marion Street, Salem, is a solar specialist with the Oregon Department of Energy. He read his testimony and then submitted it in writing. He urged approval of the proposed revisions. He said they do not require clear cutting, and they include exemptions. He said the design of many sub- divisions in the state integrate trees and solar access. He said voluntary compliance with solar access protection is not usually effective. Mr. Kaufmann said the energy costs of unshaded homes which are oriented to take advantage of solar energy are 25 to 30 percent less than shaded homes oriented differently. He said solar access protection preserves the oppor- tunity to use solar energy in the future. He said solar access protection can be provided at a cost of under $50 for each new home. He said none of the 20 Oregon cities which have solar access protection provisions have experienced problems with them. He said homes cannot be moved and subdivisions cannot be redesigned when the next energy crisis comes. There being no additional requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Ms. Wooten said she would like to adopt the ordinance as soon as possible. Ms. Bascom said the testimony indicated some misunderstanding about the regulations concerning vegetation. She suggested the staff address the misunderstandings before the council has another work session. Mr. Hansen said he would like information about applying the solar access provisions to only some properties. Mayor Obie recessed the hearing at 9:12 p.m. and reconvened it about 10 mi nutes 1 a ter. C. Appeal of Sign Code Board of Appeal IS Decision Denying Sign Variance Request (Centennial Imports, Inc.) (memo, background information distributed) City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced consideration of the Sign Code Board of Appeals' decision. Barbara McDonald of the Public Works Department gave the staff report. She said the Sign Code Board of Appeals denied a request for a variance for Centennial Imports. Inc., which is in the Outlying Commercial Sign District. She reviewed the regulations for that district. Ms. McDonald said the sign for Centennial Imports identifies it as a Porsche- Audi dealership. Recently the owner purchased the BMW franchise and would like to mount a BMW sign under the existing sign. She said the addition would increase the sign area by 50 percent and the increase is not permitted in the sign district. She said the Sign Code Board of Appeals' denial was based on a lack of hardship, and the board members indicated that granting the variance would result in a special privilege inconsistent with the objectives of the sign code. She said the signs of surrounding businesses all conform to the sign code. She recommended that the councilors uphold the Sign Code Board of Appeals' decision. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 14, 1986 Page 10