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Session 1859 November 4, 2002 She also suggested that the proposed committee get involved in enforcement of regulations for new housing construction. Councilmember Wagner expressed thanks to the citizens who came to address Council on this issue. He said that although the Public Hearing was for the purpose of discussing the two recommended changes, he believed that these were steps in the right direction and commended the staff and the Plan Commission. He agreed with Ralph Bowser on the significance of the problem but he recommended that the Council start by approving the changes for which the Public Hearing was being held. Councilmember Munkel said that the city was changing its requirement for a ten foot separation between buildings to one for sixteen feet. He maintained that the additional six feet of open space would allow sunlight between buildings and help with fire safety. He also pointed out that University City's land area is fixed at about six square miles and suggested that Council give serious consideration to restrictions with such limited available space. Councilmember Lieberman observed that the Plan Commission was originally directed to investigate the kinds of problems being created by infill housing and examine the need for an architectural review board. The Commission saw no need for an architectural review board but took note of needed changes that would reflect the concerns of residents. These initial changes pertained to the height of buildings and building set backs. The Mayor suggested that citizens and Council look at the Brookings Institution's work on urban redevelopment. It recommended that, since the life expectancy of housing stock is a little over 100 years, cities should be concerned about building code mechanisms that would allow recycling. Mayor Adams said that the non-existence of new land required that University City employ strategies to reuse, readapt, take out and rebuild. He pointed out the possibility of new techniques in construction and the importance of not discouraging developers who wish to build in an urban environment. He thanked citizens for attending and participating in meetings and expressed the importance of constantly monitoring the process. AGENDA ITEM #3 - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 6808 WASHINGTON: The City Manager said that the Council was being asked to approve a conditional use permit by the Epworth Organization to utilize an additional apartment on the first floor at 6808 Washington. The Plan Commission recommended approval with no conditions because the usage complied with code requirements. Mayor Adams called for a vote. Mr. Munkel made the motion and Ms. Welsch seconded. 4