PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2007

 

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

7:30 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Blake called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with roll call as follows: Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Blake, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Bosch were present.  Mr. Binkley and Mr. Sauer were absent.  Others present were:  Lance Schultz, Joe Henderson, Steve Smith, Bob Schorr, Konan Stevens, John Roush, Eric Shaver, Gessica Peraza, Dick Harmon, and others.

 

2.         A.        APPROVAL OF MNUTES OF December 12, 2006 Public Hearing regarding a Preliminary Development Plan for a 38,100 square foot retail development on the northeast corner of SR 204 and Freedom Way (Shoppes at Yarmouth). Mr. Blake stated due to the absence of several Commission members, he would request that these minutes be continued on the agenda for the next meeting. 

 

            B.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF December 12, 2006, Public Hearing regarding a Preliminary Development Plan for a 34,480 square foot retail development on the southwest corner of SR 204 and Freedom Way (Hunters Run Phase V)  Mr. Blake stated due to the absence of several Commission members, he would request that these minutes be continued on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

            C.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES of December 12, 2006, Public Hearing regarding a Comprehensive Sign Plan at 35 West Church Street  Mr. Blake stated due to the absence of several Commission members, he would request that these minutes be continued on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

            D.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES of December 12, 2006, Regular Meeting 

Mr. Blake stated due to the absence of several Commission members, he would request that these minutes be continued on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

3.         SCHEDULED MATTERS:

           

            A.        Review and request for a motion to appoint a Vice Chairperson  Mr. Blake stated due to the absence of several Commission members, he would request that this item be continued on the agenda for the next meeting.

           

 

            B.         Review and request for a motion to approve a Comprehensive Sign Plan for Ground signage for Circle K at 29 Hill Road South (Tabled 12/12/06).  Mr. Hackworth moved to remove this item from the table; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Blake, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas and Mr. Hackworth voting "Yea."  Motion passed 4-0.  Mr. Henderson reviewed the report as presented to the Commission and stated staff supports the request with the following five conditions:

 

                        1.         That the brick on the sign shall match the building.

                        2.         That the sign shall be limited to three colors and have a matte finish.

                        3.         That the sign shall not be higher than 7.125-ft above the parking lot.

                        4.         That the sign shall be located 5-ft from the right-of-way and outside the site triangle

                        5.         That a planter with a curb shall be located around the monument sign.

 

Mr. Schorr stated we would like to ask about moving the sign location from where the existing one is and moving it over toward Columbus Street to the third parking area and Mr. Schultz stated that would be appropriate as long as it meets the sight distance triangle. Mr. Blake asked if there were any objections to staff recommendations and Mr. Schorr stated there were no objections.  Mr. Nicholas asked how bright would the lighting be for the sign and Mr. Schorr stated it would be similar to the CVS 24 Hour sign. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve with staff recommendations and with the addition that the applicant work with staff and the City Engineer to make sure the change in sign location meets sight guidelines; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Blake, and Mr. Bosch voting "Yea."  Motion passed, 4-0.

 

 

            C.        Review and request for a motion to approve a Comprehensive Sign Plan for Ground Signage for C3 Church at 200 Hill Road South (Tabled 12/12/06) Mr. Hackworth moved to remove this item from the table; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Blake and Mr. Bosch voting "Yea." Motion passed, 4-0. Mr. Henderson reviewed the report as presented to the Commission and stated that staff supports with the following two conditions:

 

                        1.         That the sign shall be limited to three colors and have a matte finish.

                        2.         That the ground spot light shall not exceed 10-footcandles.

 

Mr. Stevens stated someone donated the sign and we hope that you would allow us to keep it.  Mr. Blake asked what the proposed changes were compared to last time and Mr. Stevens stated we could make the letter board the same beige color and we would make the letters the rust color.  Mr. Blake asked if they were willing to take the steps as they were being proposed and Mr. Stevens stated that was correct.

 

CLERKS NOTE:  Mr. Binkley arrived at 7:43 p.m.

 

Mr. Smith asked the applicant if they had a problem with Mr. Binkley voting after missing part of the discussion and Mr. Stevens stated no. Mr. Bosch moved to approve the alternate design as submitted this evening with staff recommendations; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Binkley, Mr. Blake, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Bosch voting "Yea."  Motion passed, 5-0.                                

            D.        Review and request for a motion to approve a Comprehensive Sign Plan for Ground Signage for Pickerington Health Center at 475 Hill Road North. Mr. Henderson reviewed the report as presented to the Commission and stated staff supports with the following two conditions:

 

            1.  That the sign shall be limited to two colors and have a matte finish.   

            2.  That the width of the stone on the sign shall extend out further than the width of the sign face area.

 

Mr. Shaver stated he was the architect for the owner and they were prepared to accept all of the staff recommendations. Mr. Nicholas asked for clarification on the address block material and Mr. Shaver stated it is the same material and we would mount the numbers on top of the stone. Mr. Bosch asked if there would be landscaping around the bottom of the sign and Mr. Shaver stated there would be some. Mr. Hackworth asked about line of sight and Mr. Schultz stated they dedicated 50 feet of right of way in their site plan. Mr. Binkley clarified that the colors would be green and white and will be consistent and Mr. Shaver stated that was correct Mr. Nicholas moved to approve with staff recommendations, Mr. Binkley seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Binkley, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Blake and Mr. Nicholas voting "Yea." Motion passed, 5-0.

                                   

            E.         Review and request for a motion to approve Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan/Building Materials and Landscaping for a 5,839 square foot office building at 790 Windmiller Drive. Mr. Schultz reviewed the report as presented to the Commission and stated staff supports with the following seven conditions with an addition of within 10 feet of the property line to condition number three:

 

            1.  That the dumpster enclosure shall be constructed of brick to match the building and have wood doors.

            2.  That the proposed development shall comply with the City's Architectural Consultant Recommendations.

            3.  That a 1-2-ft high undulating mound with continuous landscaping shall be installed along Windmiller Drive within 10 feet of the property line.

            4.  That the proposed development shall comply with the City Engineer's requirements

            5.  That the proposed development shall comply with the Violet Township Fire Department requirements.

            6.  That arborvitae 5-ft high at installation shall be located on a 1-2-ft high mound along the western property line to create an opaque screen.

            7.  That a 4-ft wide sidewalk shall be installed along Windmiller Drive.

 

Mr. Roush stated staff recommendations seem reasonable and it is our intention to have the same look as the other buildings along Windmiller Drive. Mr. Binkley asked about shifting the site for the gas easement to fit the buffer in and Mr. Schultz stated we had that discussion with Columbia Gas and they are not interested in that.   Mr. Roush added we are trying to make our land costs economical.  Mr. Binkley asked if there was room for a two to three foot mound and Mr. Roush stated we will mound it as much as we can without getting in trouble.  Mr. Binkley stated he would like to see some type of headlight screening and Mr. Schultz stated our arborist stated the arborvitae would do a better job than pine trees.   Mr. Nicholas suggested having the brick water table brought at a minimum of two feet along the backside of the building or remove the brick water table to the inside corner so it would just be on the front portion of the building. Mr. Nicholas stated he would also like to see any roof penetrations painted to match the roof color and Mr. Roush stated he felt the same way.  Mr. Hackworth clarified that all of the sidewalks would be four foot and Mr. Schultz stated that was correct.  Mr. Hackworth asked if this business would have a lot of visitors and Mr. Roush stated it would be very minimal. Mr. Binkley asked for clarification on whether it was one contiguous property and Mr. Schultz stated there would be a lot split. Mr. Binkley stated his personal opinion was to see a four foot undulating mound with typical landscaping as opposed to the arborvitae. Mr. Schultz stated that where the eight parking spots are there could be more landscaping to help screen the headlights, but we still have to meet the intent of the code.  Mr. Schultz stated we can review the landscape buffer requirement as more buildings are constructed and determine if any revisions to the buffer may be required. Mr. Bosch stated as we develop these lots if we could space out the access points with possible shared access points and Mr. Roush stated we will keep that in mind.  Mr. Blake clarified that the arborvitae would also stay for screening purposes and Mr. Schultz stated that was correct because we have to meet the guidelines.

Mr. Hackworth moved to approve with staff recommendations with the revision to Condition No. 3 and with the following additions of wrapping the brick water table along the back of the building; that all roof penetrations be painted to match the roof; that all building materials and colors match Dr. Martello's building and that the eight parking spaces have enhanced headlight screening with mounding and landscaping; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Blake voting "Yea" and Mr. Binkley voting "Nay."  Motion passed, 4-1.

 

            F.         Review and request for a motion to approve a code amendment to Chapter 1292 (Signs) and Appendix IV (Commercial Design Guidelines) of the Pickerington Codified Ordinances (Public Hearing).  Mr. Schultz reviewed the recommended revisions with the Commission and stated one revision from the last time it was in front of the Commission was 14 days per event not per year for Community Activity signs.  He further stated we are receiving requests for signs that are one color during the day and lighting up as another color during the night and wanted to get the Commission's thoughts on it. Mr. Blake opened the Public Hearing to the audience. Ms. Peraza stated she was there on behalf of the Pickerington Area Soccer Association to make sure they were doing the right thing with their signs and Mr. Harmon stated he was there on behalf of Prince of Peace Church.  Mr. Hackworth asked why there was a change in wording from approval by the Zoning Director to Department and Mr. Schultz stated when it was written there was only one person in the department and now there are three, so it allows for any one of us to sign off on it.  Mr. Blake clarified this is not to punish any of the non profits, but addresses the issues as best as possible.  He further asked what the prerogative would be in denying a sign and Mr. Schultz stated if it meets the code and is located properly we are compelled to approve it.  Mr. Smith added that the way it is written if it meets the requirements it has to be approved.  Mr. Schultz stated we have also made some revisions to the sandwich board sign section. Mr. Nicholas stated because we do not know whether an earth-tone color is available for sandwich board signs, maybe we should just state it should be white.  Mr. Schultz stated the reason is because we have seen brown and other colors.  Mr. Harmon asked about their professionally made temporary sign with changeable letters and Mr. Blake stated we are trying to come up with something that is uniform and can work for everyone.  Mr. Nicholas stated we need to come up with a way to allow them to do that kind of advertising and maybe it could be a 14 day temporary sign and not the changeable copy type of sign.  Mr. Schultz stated we are open to any suggestions.  Mr. Smith stated when it comes to differentiating uses or types of signs you can potentially run into problems, however you can distinguish between areas within the City.  He further stated you can't pick and choose uses you like or don't like.   Mr. Blake stated he feels like we have a good document here and staff has worked very hard on it.  Mr. Schultz stated this will move on to the Service Committee and then on to City Council.  Mr. Nicholas moved to approve with staff recommendations and to forward on to the Service Committee; Mr. Blake seconded the motion.   Roll call was taken with Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Blake, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Bosch and Mr. Binkley voting "Yea".  Motion passed 5-0.

           

4.         REPORTS:

 

            A.        Planning and Zoning Director

 

                        (1)        BZA Report- Mr. Schultz stated there were no agenda items for December or January.

 

                        (2)        FCRPC - Mr. Henderson stated there was a Final Plat variance request for Spring Creek Section 3 on Milnor Road.  He further stated they are having discussions regarding sidewalks within the development.

 

5.         OTHER BUSINESS:

 

            A.        Tree Commission.  No Report.

 

            B.         Commission Discussion- Mr. Nicholas asked about any development on the Courtright Road extension to Milnor and Mr. Schultz stated we have not heard from the developer since September.  Mr. Blake asked if we are any closer on having our other member for the Commission and Mr. Hackworth stated he will ask the Chairman of the Rules Committee.  

 

            C.        Planning Studies- Mr. Schultz stated we are working with the consultant and getting a timeline together.

           

6.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Nicholas moved to adjourn; Mr. Binkley seconded the motion.  Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Blake, and Mr. Binkley voted "Aye." Motion carried 5-0.  The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 9:32 P.M., January 9, 2007.

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                               

Stacey L. Bashore                                                        Lance A. Schultz

Deputy Municipal Clerk                                                Director, Planning & Zoning