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<br />4.0 WHAT OTHER COMMUNTIES HAVE DONE <br /> <br />Planning staff did research on a number of communities, both within the metro area and <br />outside the area. After review of some of the research, it was apparent that there is no <br />consistent term or definition for "lot coverage" and "building coverage"; nor whether an <br />unheated parking ramp is part ofthe building (Many cities have not considered this issue at <br />all). Samples are below: <br /> <br />Minnetonka's definition of "lot coverage" is as follows: Building footprints; <br />parking areas; driveways; loading, storage and trash areas and other areas covered <br />by any impervious surface. The code excludes parking ramps and interior parking <br />from the definition of "floor area" as follows: "floor area" - the sum of the gross <br />horizontal areas of several floors of a building measured from the exterior walls <br />excluding interior parking spaces, vehicular circulation, loading areas, and <br />accessory parking decks or ramps." <br /> <br />Blaine's ordinance does not have a definition for lot coverage but in the sections <br />where it applies it indicates "building coverage". Our ordinance would however <br />define structured parking as a building and therefore would include the parking <br />structure within the 40% restriction. I would guess if we got into that we would <br />suggest amending the code to specifically not include parking structures. <br /> <br />Shoreview does not have a definition nor do we directly regulate building lot <br />coverage. Building lot coverage is essentially determined by the structure <br />setbacks. Shoreview also has impervious surface coverage requirements, which <br />includes buildings. <br /> <br />Portland's definition of "building coverage" seems to include parking <br />Ramps but the percent coverage is huge by comparison to Roseville: <br /> <br />"The area that is covered by buildings or other roofed structures, including eaves. <br />A roofed structure includes any structure more than 6 feet above grade at any <br />point, and that provides an impervious cover over what is below. Building <br />coverage also includes uncovered horizontal structures such as decks, stairways <br />and entry bridges that are more than 6 feet above grade." <br /> <br />Maximum building coverage standards range from 50% to 85% for various <br />commercial zones, with no maximum for "central commercial". <br /> <br />Portland: The area under parking canopies and parking structures shall not be <br />included in site-building (lot) coverage calculations in a commercial and <br />industrial district. <br /> <br />3 <br />