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Planning Commission <br /> May 8,2001 <br /> Page 6 <br /> that the PUD ordinance allows increased density and they must ensure that the <br /> City's needs are met. Ms. McPherson explained that the townhome ordinance <br /> needs to be revised so that a fair evaluation can be done from one project to <br /> another. <br /> Commissioner Franz asked if the City Attorney could clarify the term "hardship". <br /> City Attorney Peter Beck stated that determination would be open to <br /> interpretation by the City Council. There are some standards in the ordinance for <br /> variances, and the Council could use these standards but they would not be <br /> bound by them. The standards include unique circumstances that more than an <br /> issue of just economic consideration, a whether a developer is being put in an <br /> unfair position by the proposed ordinance. Mr. Beck stated that the ordinance <br /> does have an opportunity to request a waiver. If the ordinance is adopted, a <br /> person could apply for a waiver and submit it with his application package. The <br /> waiver would then be considered by the Council first before land use application. <br /> He stated that a waiver could be requested without having an application <br /> complete if there were unusual circumstances, but that would likely help support <br /> the wavier request. <br /> Commissioner Ropp asked if it was feasible to finish the new ordinance in less than <br /> 180 days. Ms. McPherson explained that the revised ordinance is an amendment <br /> to the zoning ordinance which requires that a public hearing is held by both the <br /> Planning Commission and City Council. She explained that there is a period of <br /> approximately 3-4 weeks between the two hearings. Staff will begin drafting a <br /> new ordinance,which will need be reviewed by the Planning Commission and <br /> • City Council for their input. When a final draft is completed, a public hearing will <br /> then be held by both the Planning Commission and City Council. She stated that <br /> the process may take less than 6 months, but this is typically the busy season for <br /> land use applications and staff needs to balance time spent on drafting the new <br /> ordinance and time spent processing new applications. Ms. McPherson stated <br /> that since this is an important issue, the City does not want to artificially hurry the <br /> process. The ordinance needs to ensure that the City's long term needs are met <br /> to provide a balance of housing styles and housing types for all age groups. She <br /> reviewed some of the issues which will be included in the new standards. <br /> The City Attorney felt that six months to complete such an ordinance is a very <br /> aggressive schedule. <br /> Commissioner Baker stated that the issue before the Planning Commission is <br /> whether or not to approve the interim ordinance, and that a request for a waiver <br /> would be heard by the City Council. <br /> Commissioner Baker asked if it would be possible to process an ordinance <br /> amendment for the townhome standards without a moratorium. Ms. McPherson <br /> explained why it would be difficult to do so,while continuing to receive and <br /> process townhome applications. <br /> Commissioner Schuster questioned whether the language in the interim <br /> ordinance regarding common walls could impact office projects. City Attorney <br /> Peter Beck stated that the language refers to dwelling units. Commissioner <br /> • Schuster asked if projects in process which are being phased would be stopped <br />