Item 5: Public Hearing on Ordinance Establishing Chambers Special Area Zone

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alleys and in the rear yards of lots that are already developed. The increased densities achieved through infill provide for the efficient use of urban land. GMS Policy #2. Encourage in-fill, mixed-use, redevelopment, and higher density development . The proposed amendments support this policy. The Chambers Special Area zone provides for compatible infill and redevelopment projects within the area and provides for residential densities to increase above the current density level. GMS Policy #4. Improve the appearance of buildings and landscapes . The proposed amendments support this policy. The S-C/R-2, S-C/R-1 and S-C/C-2 zones all have requirements for improvements to building appearance and landscapes. The S-C/R-2 zone requires provisions for (among other things) roof design, building orientation, building setback, garage placement and window placement. Code amendments for new development for properties within the S- C/C-2 zoned areas include provisions that will improve the appearance of commercially developed property along street frontages. Commercial street facades within 15 feet of the street will provide certain architectural features to improve the appearance to the street frontage. GMS Policy #6. Increase density of new housing development while maintaining the character and livability of individual neighborhoods . The proposed amendments support this policy. The primary focus and chief objective of the Chambers Reconsidered project was to provide new development standards that would allow an increase in residential densities while maintaining the character and livability of the East Traditional Neighborhood that lies within the study area. GMS Policy #8. Promote construction of affordable housing . The proposed amendments support this policy. The new development standards for the S-C/R-2 subarea provide for generally smaller scale housing on alleys and on under-developed portions of existing developed lots. Opportunities for the construction of affordable housing are directly influenced by the size of the structures being sold. Generally, the proposed amendments support the construction of smaller- scale, more affordable housing within the study area. GMS Policy #9. Mitigate the impacts of new and/or higher density housing, in-fill, and redevelopment on neighborhoods through design standards, open space and housing maintenance programs, and continuing historic preservation and neighborhood planning programs. The proposed amendments support this policy. The proposed residential development standards are designed to mitigate the impacts of infill housing and new higher density housing on the neighborhood. The development standards include design standards that limit building mass and bulk, setbacks, building orientation, window placement, which takes into account privacy for existing neighbors and provides open space areas that contribute to the cohesiveness of the area. L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M051114\S0511145.doc