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<br />Planning & Zoning commeon <br />November 18, 2004 <br />Maximum Height <br />Zoning Ordinance Amendment <br />Page 2 of4 <br /> <br />It <br /> <br />Backeround <br /> <br />. As previously explained, the exact reason for establishing the maximum height <br />for buildings within the City at 45 feet is not known. Discussion of fire protection <br />and the general blocking of view were offered as possible reasons. <br /> <br />. The current discussion was precipitated by the application of a proposed Hotel, <br />constrained by narrowness of available land for development, to build a fourth <br />story and thereby exceeding the maximum allowable height of 45 feet by a total <br />of 6 feet. . <br /> <br />. Given the economic challenges to development posed by in-fill lots and the <br />reduced dimensions of available land, commercial developers are beginning to <br />seek relief from the height requirement to make their project more economically <br />feasible. Adding additional stories to buildings compensates for the reduction of <br />footprints at the base of the building to allow room for required parking, <br />landscaping and maneuver isles. Viewing economic development as a priority, <br />City Council is requesting a review of the issue. <br /> <br />. As was briefed at previous Planning .and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board <br />of Adjustment meetings, the LPFD has no issue with fighting fires in taller <br />buildings. While current equipment can reach 100 feet, a good rule of thumb is 7 <br />stories (70 feet) due to having to position the truck to fight the fire. This <br />limitation, however, does not prevent the building from additional stories in <br />excess of 70 feet. LPFD has stated that subject to the structures being built to <br />building and fire codes (e.g. requiring a sprinkler system); they see no limiting <br />factor to height of the building from their perspective. The fire Code, with <br />amendments, states: <br /> <br />603.15.9 <br /> <br />Additional Required Automatic Sprinkler Systems <br /> <br />In addition to any other fire and/or building code requirements the <br />following occupancies shall be totally equipped with a sprinkler <br />system. <br /> <br />1. ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES <br /> <br />(A) All Class A assembly occupancies. <br /> <br />(B) When a Class B assembly occupancy is located in a building above <br />the level of exit discharge, the entire building shall be equipped with a <br />sprinkler system. <br />