The Hermiston City Council voted Monday night to begin the process to raise the maximum height allowed for commercial buildings to 50 feet.
The action came after a recommendation from the Hermiston Planning Commission. City staff looked into building height requirements in other cities and found that many similarly-sized cities allow commercial buildings to reach heights above 35 feet. Pendleton allows for heights of 50 feet; Hood River 45 feet; The Dalles 55-75 feet; McMinnville 45-80 feet; and La Grande 50-60 feet.
The city has issued five variances to the current height restriction of 35 feet since 2007.
“In all the variances, no finding of adverse impact to the public good was identified,” said City Planner Clint Spencer.
Hermiston City Manager Ed Brookshier said the reason for the 35-foot height restriction for commercial buildings was primarily due to the fire department, at the time the restriction was put in place, only had ladders that reached 35 feet. The department now has ladders that reach 75 feet.
“The reason for the height restriction has gone away,” Brookshier said.
City staff will now prepare text to amend the Hermiston Zoning Code to allow for commercial building heights of 50 feet in C-1 and C-2 commercial zones. Public hearings on the amendment will be held in March before the planning commission and city council.
