Opinion ID: 2285989
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Building Height

Text: [¶ 11] The Zoning Ordinance also provides: A non-conforming structure may be added to or expanded after obtaining a permit... with the following conditions:... The height of any part of the addition or expansion that extends into the setback area shall not exceed the height of the encroaching part of the existing structure nor the height allowed in the zoning district, whichever is less. Rockland, Me., Rockland Zoning Ordinance § 19-308(3)(A)(3) (Mar. 6, 2000). Building height is defined as, the vertical distance from the mean elevation of the original grade or existing street level, whichever is higher, around the perimeter of the building to the highest point of a flat roof .... Height limitations shall not apply to chimneys, steeples, water stand-pipes or spires .... Rockland, Me., Zoning Ordinance § 19-302 (Mar. 6, 2000). The plan of Ellsworth Builders provides for the construction of a cupola on a building inside the setback area which, if its height were included as part of the height of the building, would violate the building height Ordinance by increasing the height of the renovated structure above that of the existing structure. Plaza Realty contends that the Board erred in concluding that because the cupola does not add functional space and is similar to a chimney, its measurement is not included in the calculation of building height. [¶ 12] Statutory language should be given its plain and ordinary meaning. Mullen v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 589 A.2d 1275, 1277 (Me.1991). We have often relied on dictionaries to determine such meanings. Furthermore, statutory language should be interpreted to avoid absurd, illogical, or inconsistent results. Town of Madison, Dep't of Elec. Works v. Pub. Utils. Comm'n, 682 A.2d 231, 234 (Me.1996). Cupola is defined as [a] domed roof or ceiling or [a] small, usually domed structure surmounting a roof. THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY 349 (2d ed.1982). Similarly, chimney is defined as [a] passage through which smoke and gases escape from a fire or furnace or [t]he part of such a structure that rises above a roof. THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY 266 (2d ed.1982). The two structures are similar in definition, purpose, and appearance. Although the Ordinance specifically recites a list of structures that are excluded from the calculation of building height, and a cupola is not included in that list, to vacate the Board's conclusion on this basis would be an overtechnical interpretation of the Ordinance and would disregard the intent and the spirit of the Zoning Ordinance to exclude from height restrictions those structures which are largely ornamental. If chimneys were excluded from building height calculation but the similar cupolas were held to be included, the result would be absurd, illogical, and inconsistent. Thus, the Board's determination that a cupola is similar to a chimney and is therefore excluded from the measurement of building height is not error.