Hillside ordinance

Alan Long also spoke during the public hearing on the hillside ordinance update.

Dan Long addressed the commission during the public hearing on the hillside ordinance update.

Kassen Klien also spoke during the public hearing on the hillside ordinance update.

Argued the wall standards are about aesthetics, so walls that can't be seen shouldn't be restricted, and urged the council to consider commercial properties that need tall retaining walls to be feasible.

Asked about wall and fence plans in development review, maintenance of terraced wall landscaping, and urged that reinforced slopes not be lumped in with retaining walls.

Urged the council to move wall standards to the fences-and-walls code section, simplify the hillside ordinance rather than add complexity, and preserve specific plan flexibility for his property.

Raised legal concerns about defining 'disturbed' vs. 'natural state,' argued exempting developed parcels could amount to a taking, and urged the council to focus on truly protected areas rather than the full 319-parcel map.

Pointed out that of 81 undeveloped parcels, 30 are in MSHCP conservation areas and zoning already prevents dense building, and asked what the city is doing about valley-floor conservation.

Expressed support for the progress made and agreed the retaining wall prompt should be separated from the hillside ordinance, urging a clear map.

Warned the council against over-complicating the hillside ordinance, noting wall rules would apply to individual homeowners too, not just developers, and could add fees and delays.