At the forefront of the meeting, the board tackled the issue of allowing and regulating rooftop amenities such as bars, restaurants, and observation decks. The current height requirements across all zoning districts do not comfortably accommodate these uses, especially considering ADA compliance and potential economic burdens on developers. The members discussed the challenges of adding such amenities to existing buildings, including fire safety and elevator access, and the need for a balance to avoid frustrating both existing and new hotel developers.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the logistics and feasibility of retrofitting existing hotels to include these rooftop amenities. The members highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to prevent smaller hotels from transforming into less desirable rental properties. The possibility of a workshop in April was raised, with the goal of further educating the board and involving hotel owners and developers in the discussion. The board emphasized the importance of communicating their intentions to the public and ensuring that the workshop addresses both board members’ and public concerns.

The timing of the workshop was debated, with some members concerned about aggressive timelines and scheduling conflicts. Despite these concerns, there was a consensus on the necessity of holding the workshop to move forward with the proposed ordinance modification. The board agreed to aim for a workshop in April and to reach out to potential speakers to confirm their availability.

Additionally, the conversation shifted to the topic of live-work land development regulations, which the board recently adopted. The members aimed to clarify the definition of live-work units and to understand the process for approval of such developments. They discussed examples of properties interested in live-work units and the potential benefits these could bring to the city. The relationship between live-work elements and affordable housing was also a point of discussion, with the board recognizing the need to understand the impact on the community.

Members raised questions about existing live-work situations and the requirements for these setups, including how to tie residential and business uses together effectively. They expressed concerns over potential abuses and the necessity of careful management and regulation of live-work units. The impact on workforce housing and the definitions of terms and conditions were also debated.

To address these concerns, the board considered having a separate workshop focused on live-work units. They explored the idea of implementing a development agreement or covenant to regulate these units and discussed who would be eligible to live in them. The members agreed on the importance of gathering more information and input from stakeholders before making any decisions.

The board discussed the distinction between true live-work spaces and allowing staff to live on business properties they do not own. They considered examples of properties where residents were living in non-residentially zoned areas and the idea of diversifying businesses along the main road by allowing live-work spaces. There was a consensus on the idea of easing into the concept, potentially expanding it to employees in the future.

The discussion included an invitation to a board appreciation dinner and the possibility of conducting a survey to gather feedback from board members on improving the process. There was a general sense of contentment and agreement among the members at the conclusion of the meeting.