Amendments to Town Code Considered by Town Council at Work Session

Among several items briefly addressed, like special use permits and a request for refund of an application fee, the Town Council reviewed at their Tuesday, September 2 work session amendments on four different fronts.

The Town Council sits down for a work session on the evening of Tuesday, September 2. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

One of them pertained to the definition of overhang as it relates to any projection, either a roof, bay window, or similar cantilevered construction, which extends beyond the foundation of a structure. The language currently on the books regulating overhangs is cumbersome, and staff feel that by dramatically streamlining it, the intent to keep such construction from overextending will be preserved without creating a burden in some instances, which the current language does.

A proposed amendment of the code pertaining to auxiliary dwelling units generated fruitful discussion among the council members, with contrasting views expressed between Vice Mayor Amber Veitenthal and Councilman Bruce Rappaport. Although, as Veitenthal pointed out, the allowance for by-right development of ADUs in the various residential districts would not in every case increase density, Rappaport’s point was that in some cases it would, and therefore it is inappropriate for the R-1 District, which is traditionally a low-density zone. Another interesting point made is that the owner, who is required to occupy the property, may opt to live in the ADU while allowing someone else to occupy the primary dwelling. Of course, the ADU may be internal or detached, in which cases the regulations vary. It has its own facilities, such as a kitchen and bathroom, and is the perfect setup for aging relatives or returning college students.

Planning Director Lauren Kopishke presents each item of the evening’s business to the council.

An amendment to the code pertaining to short-term rentals would, among other things, relieve existing short-term rentals of the requirements for off-street parking. Following this, under “unfinished business”, the council considered adding language to restrict the redevelopment of historic residential sites to single-family dwelling units in the residential area of the town’s Historic District and adding language to prevent the conversion of single-family residential structures into multifamily or two-family dwellings. The discussion touched upon several key points, including the character of the district as it pertains to safety, exploring what it means to preserve the district while allowing for the potentially civilizing effect of wealthier residents moving into the district and remaking it to a lesser or greater degree according to modern convenience. Again, views varied, and a fruitful discussion was had.

Having finished their business, the council briefly reviewed a proposed resolution to cancel the October 14 work session due to the VML Conference, which multiple members are attending, and then proceeded into a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters and receive legal counsel.