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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,April 18, 2011 Page 23 Councilmember Willmus questioned if lot sizes had changed based on his review of the draft code received in December of 2010; with Mr. Trudgeon advising that there had not been any changes to lot sizes to-date, but that such discussions were applicable under the Subdivision ordinance. It was Council consensus that those first four (4) items proceed as detailed by staff. Add Incentives for the Use of Energy-Efficient Practices, Xeriscaping, Native Planting, and Community Involvement Related to this suggestion, Mr. Trudgeon suggested that the City consider, and that it was staff's recommendation for, incentives versus hard mandates, to con- sider a wide range or opportunities, such as increased density allowances or re- duced/waived fees, or expedited review process, as examples; providing tangible results while establishing parameters. Mayor Roe questioned if those incentives would be codified in the zoning code or handled outside the code, with Mr. Trudgeon responding that he anticipated that they would be contained within the zoning code. Councilmember McGehee concurred, and requested that staff research other communities for the incentives they were offering; expressing her interest in be- ing part of the redevelopment or rehabilitation of existing homes and properties. Councilmember McGehee opined that, based on the age and condition of existing housing stock and its need for updating, along with current market conditions dic- tating shorter commutes, this was an opportune time to address expectations; as well as the HRA's interest in marketing the community as green. Mayor Roe questioned if there were other items needing further work by a work- ing or study group, or possibly through a joint Public Works, Environment, and Transportation (PWET) and Planning Commission charge. Councilmember Willmus expressed his willingness to have a volunteer process within the confines of the International Building Code; however, he cautioned prohibiting certain building practices through excessive rules and regulations. Discussion among Councilmembers and staff included incentives provided to-date seeking more environmentally friendly building techniques, including the ordin- ance on solar panels; recognizing improved technologies; appropriate tax credits on a federal, state and local level; incentive authority and boundaries of municipal government versus other agencies and government levels; existing and proposed HRA incentives for green packages and effective marketing of those incentives; and ensuring that fees are justified to cover costs and are not perceived as discri-