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Single-Family Residential Lot Split Study Report May 14, 2007 they would need to seek it through the variance process, which requires a demonstration of hardship. The recommendation section of this document reflects both the majority and minority recommendations. Design Flex�bilitv: A point of discussion resulted from the site design exercise at the Community Open House was that of nontraditional housing developments, such as cluster housing. Those who attended the event responded very positively to the conceptual lot design for cluster housing. The CAG discussed methods by which the non-traditional housing development could be developed within Roseville. Two regulatory tools used within the City provide the flexibility required for a more nontraditional development. They are a subdivision variance process and the planned unit development process. Typically, standard zoning does not allow for the creation of nontraditional housing developments without seeking a variance. To obtain a variance the applicant needs to demonstrate "practical difficulties or undue hardships" (1013.02(A)). For example, one possible "hardship" could be a wetland or steep slopes. Clustering the new homes on slightly smaller lots could help convert the physical hardship into neighborhood open space. The current Subdivision Code does not speak to a variance process; however, city staff has applied the variance language that is found within the Zoning Code to the Subdivision Code. In order to clarify the Subdivision Code for those who might meet the hardship test for creating new developments, the CAG recommends that the variance language found in the Zoning Code should be added to the Subdivision Code. In addition to granting a subdivision variance under conditions of hardship, the City also has a Planned Unit Development (I'UD) regulation within the Zoning Code. In its definition within the code, a PUD is described as ". ..intended to create a more flexible, creative and efficient approach to the use of land. .." (1008.01). During its discussion of the PUD process for single-family residential development, the city staff described the fee structure associated with PUDs generally. Today an applicant seeking a PUD for a small project or a large project pays the same application fee for the project The CAG felt that fees collected as part of the PUD application process should accurately reflect the amount of staff time it takes to administer these requests. Ultimately, the group recommends that the City Council should evaluate the fees associated with the existing planned unit development process. Lot Recombination and Re-subdivision The recombination and re-subdivision of single-family residential lots can be a contentious issue within neighborhoods. Several members of the CAG raised this issue as it pertains to "McMansions" and neighborhood character. (The City's current standards for lot coverage, building setbacks and height restrictions effectively limit the potential for McMansions.) The CAG recommends that the City Council should consider the recombination and re-subdivision of single- family lots no differendy than other subdivision requests. Zoning Ordinance Purpose Statement Throughout the process of the Single-Family Lot Split Study, the issue of neighborhood character was the most discussed issue by CAG members. As the project concluded, the CAG recognized neighborhood character as an important component of the community's fabric; however the group did not believe it was appropriate to include neighborhood character as an official City criterion for evaluating specific development proposals as the term is highly subjective and difficult to quantify. The group agreed that objective standards are advantageous as they are easier for City Staff and 13