PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009

 

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. Bosch, and Mr. Sauer were present.  Mr. Binkley, Mr. Nicholas, and Mrs. Evans were absent.  Others present were:  Lance Schultz, Lynda Yartin, Joe Henderson, Mitch Banschefsky, Paul Woodruff, Don Selan, Michelle Griffis, Paul Ramsay, John Roush, Jeanette Castoe, Jack Berry, Bob Burman, and others. 

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 10, 2008, Regular Meeting.  Mr. Bosch moved to approve; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Bosch, Mr. Sauer, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Blake voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 4-0.  

 

Mr. Blake stated if there were no objections he would like to review agenda items 3.F. and 3.G. after item 3.B. as our architectural consultant is here to answer any questions.  There were no objections. 

 

3.         SCHEDULED MATTERS: 

 

A.        A Public Hearing and review and request for motion to approve a rezoning at 77 West Church Street from R-4 (Residential) to PC-2 (Planned Central Business/Mixed Use) for Winstead’s Gallery.  Mr. Henderson stated the applicant is proposing to convert the existing single-family house into a custom framing and floral preservation shop, which is permitted in the Planned Central Business/Mixed Use District.  Mr. Henderson reviewed the report provided to the Commission members.  Mr. Henderson stated staff supported the rezoning request as there are commercial uses to the north and south of the property and just down the street to the east, and the proposed use would likely be compatible with the surrounding environment.  Mr. Henderson further stated the proposed custom framing and floral preservation shop apparently would have limited amounts of visits per day and, therefore, traffic would likely increase minimally in this area.  Mr. Blake stated at this point in the public hearing he would entertain any questions or comments regarding this proposed rezoning.  Ms Jeannette Castoe stated she resides in the property just south of this property and her main concern is parking on the alley.  She stated the alley is riddled with potholes and there are children in the area.  She stated it is her understanding the plan is to carve out a large chunk of the back yard for a parking lot and she has concerns about drainage since they have had flooding issues in the past.  Mr. Blake stated he would ask Mr. Schultz to explain any alterations or changes to the property and the City’s stance on taking care of the alley.  Mr. Schultz stated he would forward the alley issue to our Service Department for review.  Mr. Schultz further stated if the property owner were going to require parking, they would be required to submit a drawing for our engineer’s review and the City’s approval.  Mr. Hackworth clarified that Ms Castoe resides at 84 W. Columbus Street and is directly to the south of the property being considered.   Ms Castoe stated other than the drainage issues she was fine with everything else.  Mr. Schultz stated the City is currently doing a stormwater project in the old downtown area and it is likely that would address some of these issues.  He stated he would discuss that with the City’s engineer. 

 

There being nothing further, Mr. Blake closed the public hearing. 

 

Mr. Blake inquired if there were any comments or questions from Commission members.  Mr. Schultz stated he would like to clarify that this item was the rezoning of the property only; it did not identify any additional parking or other issues at this time. 

 

Mr. Blake clarified that the most recent rezonings in this area were Planned Office and that does not allow any retail or other type of use.  Mr. Blake further clarified this proposed rezoning does meet the criteria for this District.    Mr. Sauer clarified that typically the applicant would expect to have no more than one or two customers at a time.  Ms Griffis stated most of their business is conducted by appointment.  Mr. Hackworth inquired if a coffee shop could be put in at this location and Mr. Schultz stated this zoning would allow that.  Mr. Hackworth inquired if some restrictions could be put in this and Mr. Schultz stated that is why he suggested a planned district.  Mr. Schultz stated when he reviewed this he could not think of any restrictions to put on the property.  He stated this is a small house on a small lot and there are not a lot of retail type uses that would likely go in there.  Mr. Schultz stated this Commission could recommend any type of conditions to apply to this case.  Mr. Schultz further stated our Code does not require off street parking for uses in the old downtown area.  Mr. Hackworth stated if there were a chance of this being retail in the future, he would like to have some type of language prohibiting high traffic.  Mr. Banchesfsky stated he had the same problem that Mr. Schultz did in trying to come up with some type of limitation that would be enforceable.  Mr. Schultz stated this zoning would allow any type of commercial use, however, he felt the limitations may already be based on the size of the house today and the upgrade it would require to make it a viable retail use.  Mr. Sauer moved to approve the proposed rezoning of 77 W. Church Street from R-4 (Residential) to PC-2 (Planned Central Business/Mixed Use) based on staff’s recommendations; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Bosch, Mr. Sauer, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Blake voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 4-0. 

 

B.   Review and request for motion to approve an amended Comprehensive sign Plan for Ground Signage for Shoppes on the Parkway at 152-196 Clint Drive.  Mr. Schultz stated the applicant has requested this item be tabled this evening.  Mr. Bosch moved to Table; Mr. Sauer seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Blake, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Sauer voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 4-0.  

 

            Review and request for motion to approve a Conditional Use Permit for C3 Church building expansion located at 200 Hill Road South.  Mr. Henderson stated C3 Church is proposing a 5,700 square foot addition to the north side of the existing church.  Mr. Henderson reviewed the staff report provided to all Commission members.  Mr. Henderson stated staff supports the Conditional Use Permit with the following two conditions:

 

                        1.         That the church expansion shall comply with Certificate of Appropriateness requirements.

 

                        2.         That the church expansion shall comply with City Engineer’s requirements as it pertains to traffic. 

 

Mr. Schultz stated the next agenda item will review the site plan, architectural, landscaping, and lighting.  He stated this item is strictly dealing with the use of land. 

 

Mr. Jack Berry stated he was the architect on the project and he would be happy to answer any questions the Commission may have. 

 

Mr. Bosch moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit for C3 Church building expansion with the two conditions stated; Mr. Sauer seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Sauer, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Blake voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 4-0. 

 

Mr. Blake stated with no objections, he would take Items 3.F and 3.G. at this time. 

 

            Review and request for motion to approve Nonresidential Design Standards Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan, Architecture, Landscaping, and Lighting for C3 Church building expansion located at 200 Hill Road South.  Mr. Henderson stated the applicant is proposing a 5,700 square foot addition to the north side of the existing church, and will be maintaining their existing curb cut on Hill Road South.  Mr. Henderson reviewed the report provided to the Commission.  Mr. Henderson stated the city engineer is reviewing the existing and proposed services, programs, etc., proposed by the church to determine if a traffic impact study is required.  He further stated the bike path easement is requested per the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and a dumpster elevation and enclosure has not been identified.  He stated staff would like to see what the enclosure would look like and it should match the building. 

 

Mr. Paul Woodruff, the city’s architectural consultant, stated he has reviewed the addition and he found it generally acceptable.  He stated he was not able to review colors and he would need to review those before commenting.  Mr. Woodruff stated the only other item he would like to address would be the windows.  Mr. Woodruff stated the proposal does not meet the building fenestration section of the Code, however, blanks have been provided to create rhythm and represent windows along the side of the brick façade.  He stated he recommended acceptance of this, it looks fine, and considering the specific use of this structure as a chapel for religious services, it does not require them to have windows.  Mr. Henderson stated staff supports the Certificate of Appropriateness request for Site Plan, Architectural, Landscaping, and Lighting with the following conditions:

 

                        1.         That the church expansion shall comply with City Engineer’s requirements as it pertains to traffic.

 

                        2.         That a bike path easement shall be dedicated to the City per the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

 

                        3.         That color samples shall be submitted and reviewed by the City’s Architectural Consultant for compliance.

 

                        4.         That the streetscape trees shall be located outside the drainage ditch area.

 

                        5.         That the dumpster and mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view.

 

                        6.         That the site plan shall be in compliance with the tree preservation ordinance. 

 

Mr. Henderson stated the following waivers for the Architectural Standards compliance in Appendix IV would be required: 

 

                        1.         That the building windows for this building as proposed does not meet Chapter VII.F.5.a.i.(a), fifty percent (50%) of wall area between two and ten feet above grade shall consist of windows unless waived by two-thirds (2/3’s) of the Planning and Zoning Commission. 

 

Mr. Schultz stated he would like to add that the staff engineer has indicated that she would require a survey to ensure the site is not within a flood plain as she is concerned that the dumpster and shed may be within the flood plain.  He stated if that is the case they would have to be moved outside the flood plain.  Mr. Bosch stated this is not a flood way, it is a flood plain, and, therefore, as long as they do not add anything new in it, they have not changed anything.  Mr. Bosch stated the dumpster may have to be moved, but he felt the shed was an existing structure.  Mr. Schultz stated the City could not require the shed be moved out of the flood plain, however, we would request it. 

 

Mr. Jack Berry stated he was present representing the applicant.  He stated he would be happy to answer any questions.  Mr. Blake stated with regard to the first condition, it appeared the engineer was concerned about the impact on Hill Road South during services.  Mr. Schultz stated the concern was if there were increased services, such as a day care, etc.  He stated a letter from the church depicting their programs, hours of operation, and services was forwarded to the engineer last week and she will determine if that will trigger an impact study.  Mr. Schultz stated if they keep everything similar to what they have today, it might not require a study.  Mr. Schultz stated until the engineer reviews this issue and signs off on it, he has placed this condition on the Certificate of Appropriateness.  Mr. Bosch stated he felt there should be a caveat so that if nothing is needed at this point that is fine, but if at any time the operation of the church changes the city would reserve the right to require a traffic impact study.  Mr. Berry stated he had brought some color samples tonight and Mr. Woodruff stated they looked generally acceptable and would fall within our guidelines.  Mr. Berry stated the dumpster and mechanicals would be screened with the same materials.  Mr. Bosch stated he believed our code required the screening be of stone or brick, and in this case they would want the brick to match.  Mr. Berry stated the owner would prefer to have the screening out of material that is similar in scale, texture, and color as the main part of the existing building.  Mr. Blake clarified we have required a masonry material for the dumpster enclosure because of the structural integrity of the enclosure for the dumpster.  Mr. Schultz stated in checking our Code, it does require the dumpster enclosure be of brick or stone with wood doors.  Mr. Berry stated they did not object to the enclosure, they just wanted to make it out of fiber cement board as opposed to masonry.  Mr. Blake stated with regard to the windows, he would agree with our architectural consultant that what they have done to give it the aesthetic look of windows is appropriate.  Mr. Bosch clarified the windows would be either an efis or a stucco panel of some sort that will be trimmed out like a window and would appear to be a dark stained glass.  Mr. Blake stated he did not want to deviate from our requirement for the dumpster screening and Mr. Bosch stated he agreed as this Commission has worked to get these standards in place.  Mr. Sauer stated he also concurs with Mr. Blake and Mr. Bosch regarding the dumpster screening.  Mr. Bosch moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan, Architectural, Landscaping, and Lighting, with staff conditions and the waiver for architectural standards compliance in Appendix IV as stated in the staff report; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Blake, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Sauer, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 4-0.  

 

            C.        Review and request for motion to approve a Comprehensive Sign Plan for Building Signage for the Circle K Shopping Center located at 29-35 Hill Road South.  Mr. Schultz stated this is for the wall signage for a four tenant spaces.  He stated the applicant is requesting the Circle K sign and three box signs.  Mr. Schultz stated in September the applicant renovated the roof and during that time the signs were removed and in replacement they must be in compliance with our Code.  Mr. Schultz reviewed the report presented to the Commission and stated staff supports the Comprehensive Sign Plan for Building Signage with the following conditions:

 

            1.         That all signage shall have three colors and have a matte finish.

 

            2.         That the signs shall have channel letters. 

 

Mr. Bob Burman stated he was present representing the applicant and he would be happy to answer any questions. 

 

Mr. Hackworth stated the first condition states that all signage shall have three colors and have a matte finish, and Mr. Schultz stated that was in error, the sign shall have a maximum of three colors. 

 

Mr. Bosch moved to approve the Comprehensive Sign Plan for Building Signage with the conditions recommended by staff, but modifying Condition 1 to state that all signage shall have a “maximum” of three colors and have a matte finish; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Sauer, Mr. Blake, and Mr. Bosch voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 4-0. 

 

D.        Review and request for a motion to approve Nonresidential Design Standards Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping for Moo Moo’s Car Wash located at 1410 Hill Road North.  Mr. Henderson stated the applicant is constructing a 2,867 square foot car wash and is proposing landscaping for the site.  Mr. Henderson reviewed the report provided to the Commission members and stated staff supports the request with the following conditions:

 

            1.         That all mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view.

 

            2.         That Cross Creeks Boulevard and Clint Drive shall have mounding and landscaping that complies with the Nonresidential Design Standards.  This includes the Clint Drive temporary curb cut when it is relocated per the Site Plan approved in July 2008. 

 

Mr. John Roush stated he is the developer of this property and with regard to the mounding; the fence on the Cross Creeks side does not leave enough room to put mounding between the fence and the curb.  He stated he did not want to put the mounding under the fence because it would hump the fence up and down and he felt a nice, clean, smooth fence run would look better.  Mr. Roush stated there are only six to eight feet between the actual fence and the curb line on Cross Creeks Boulevard so it is a tight area, and they tried to put the mounding in but it is just too tight there.  Mr. Blake clarified that any time you are adjacent to a public or private road our Code requires mounding and landscaping.  Mr. Blake stated he felt there were places for mounding and places where it is not appropriate.  Mr. Schultz stated this would be the first instance where we have a fence along a streetscape.  Mr. Sauer stated he felt that we should not pick and choose where we apply the mounding requirement.  Mr. Schultz stated our streetscape standards do not identify fencing; that is not an option, and the applicant is requesting fencing in lieu of mounding.  He continued that to allow fencing you would have to waive our mounding requirements at that location.  Mr. Bosch stated with the design of this building, he felt fencing would look appropriate at this site and he would support waiving the mounding requirement along Cross Creek Boulevard.  He continued that when the back is closed off and there is the appropriate area, he would support putting the mounding in there.  Mr. Blake clarified this Commission would have to modify staff’s condition two by having it read “That Cross Creeks Boulevard shall have mounding and landscaping that complies with the Nonresidential Design Standards unless waived by two-thirds (2/3’s) of the Planning and Zoning Commission per the site plan submitted, and that the Clint Drive temporary curb cut shall comply with the Nonresidential Design Standards when it is relocated per the Site Plan approved in July 2008.”  Mr. Bosch moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping with the following conditions: 

 

            1.         That all mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view.

 

            2.         That Cross Creeks Boulevard shall have mounding and landscaping that complies with the Nonresidential Design Standards unless waived by two-thirds (2/3’s) of the Planning and Zoning Commission per the site plan submitted, and that the Clint Drive temporary curb cut shall comply with the Nonresidential Design Standards when it is relocated per the Site Plan approved in July 2008;

 

Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Sauer, Mr. Blake, and Mr. Bosch voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 4-0. 

 

E.         Review and request for motion to approve a Comprehensive Sign Plan for Building and Ground Signage for Moo Moo’s Car Wash located at 1410 Hill Road North.  Mr. Henderson stated the applicant is proposing building and ground signage for a 2,867 square foot car wash.  Mr. Henderson reviewed the report provided to the Commission members.  Mr. Henderson stated staff supports the Comprehensive Sign Plan for Building and Ground Signage with the following conditions: 

 

            1.         That all signage shall be limited to three colors; red, white, and black.

 

            2.         That all signage shall have a matte finish.

 

            3.         That the wall signage shall be channel letters.

 

            4.         That the stone columns shall extend up at least 75 percent of the sign face area.

 

            5.         That the height of the ground signs shall not exceed nine feet above the sidewalk grade adjacent to the sign. 

 

            6.         That the ground sign shall be located a minimum of five feet from the property line and outside the site triangle. 

 

Mr. Roush stated he was present to answer any questions the Commission may have.  He stated, however, he was asking the Commission to approve the building signage out of a matte finish vinyl.  Mr. Blake stated as he understood it, this would be more of a flush mounted, external illuminated sign.  Mr. Bosch stated the sign as requested looked like it would blend in with the signage on other buildings around it.  Mr. Sauer stated he thought there had been a problem with other signage like this that had bubbled in the heat and he would like to make sure the sign would not be impacted by the weather like that.  Mr. Roush stated he would speak to his sign person to make sure that would not be an issue.  Mr. Bosch stated he thought this would be more of a PVC material and Mr. Roush stated if this could be approved the look on one of the routed PVC signs, that would be what he would like.  Mr. Bosch stated he had some concern with requiring the stone columns extending up at least 75 percent of the sign face area because he thought extending the columns 75 percent on this sign would not look right.  Mr. Schultz stated this Commission could amend the condition if they desired.  Mr. Sauer moved to approve the Comprehensive Sign Plan for Building and Ground Signage with staff recommendations, but deleting Conditions 3 and 4; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Sauer voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 4-0. 

 

F.         Review and request for motion to approve a Conditional Use Permit for C3 Church building expansion located at 200 Hill Road South.  Mr. Blake stated this was dealt with earlier in the meeting. 

 

G.        Review and request for motion to approve Nonresidential Design Standards Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan, Architecture, Landscaping, and Lighting for C3 Church building expansion located at 200 Hill Road South.  Mr. Blake stated this was dealt with earlier in the meeting. 

 

4.         REPORTS:

 

A.        Planning and Zoning Director. 

 

            (1)        BZA Report.  Mr. Schultz stated the BZA did not meet in March due to the lack of a quorum, but would meet on April 23rd to consider a fence variance and the setback variance for Violet Limousine.   

 

            (2)        FCRPC.  Mr. Henderson stated the Commission approved a plat for Winding Creek.      

 

5.         OTHER BUSINESS:

 

A.        Commission Discussion.  Mr. Blake stated he had noticed a neon sign in the business next door to Blockbuster and Mr. Schultz stated he would check into it.  Mr. Blake stated further he has had some concern on the patios being requested lately.  He stated the Commission recently approved the nonferrous chairs at Don Patron’s and although he had voted to approve this, he was now questioning the deviation from what has been approved in the past.  Mr. Blake further stated we do not have good guidelines for patios and what is appropriate for a new building is not always appropriate for an existing structure.  Mr. Bosch stated he understood Mr. Blake’s concern, but he did not know what the Commission could do other than take the standards that we have and apply them to each individual request.  Mr. Schultz stated Mr. Banschefsky would do some research and see what restrictions other communities are applying to these patios, however, it might take some time to revise our regulations. 

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Bosch moved to adjourn; Mr. Sauer seconded the motion.  Mr. Bosch, Mr. Sauer, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Blake voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 4-0.  The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 9:40 P.M., April 14, 2009.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

___________________________                 

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk