REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

7:30 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. England called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mayor Postage, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. England were present. Mr. Smith, Mr. Maxey, and Mr. Blake were absent. Others present were: Lance Schultz, Lynda Yartin, Bob Mapes, Richard Brahm, John Bain, Craig Bohning, Robert Farrell, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 11, 2003, Regular Meeting. Mr. Bosch moved to approve; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Mr. Bosch, Mr. England, Mayor Postage, and Mr. Nicholas voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.

3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:

A. Review and request for motion to approve an extension to the Final Plat for The Reserves at Pickerington Ponds. (TABLED, 11/11/03). Mr. Bosch moved to remove from the Table; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mayor Postage, and Mr. England voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0. Mr. Schultz stated Council accepted the annexation of this property in 2001 and approved the final plats for Sections 1, 2, and 3 of The Reserves at Pickerington Ponds in September 2002. He stated the applicant is requesting a plat extension for one year. Mr. Schultz stated in 1994 Stonebridge, Section 5, received a one year extension, and in 1997 Simsbury, Section 2, received a one year extension. Mr. Schulz stated this project will encompass 380 single-family homes on approximately 147 acres, and the developer, Homewood, is requesting the one year extension because in September 2002 they applied to the Ohio EPA for a permit to install sanitary sewers. He stated the Ohio EPA did not finalize the permit until August of 2003. He further stated the City’s moratorium on building permits created uncertainty with the timing and the ability to complete the subdivision proposed, and weather conditions for the summer of 2003 created an environment that would not allow improvements to begin. Mr. Schultz stated typically the EPA review period for permits to install is one to three months. During this PTI process EPA requested additional information from the developer and the city. He stated staff does not have a recommendation concerning the final plat extension. Mr. Mapes stated he would like to clarify that this commission is dealing with the section of the code that deals with unforeseen delays. He stated extensions would be approved by Council and the question this Commission is dealing with is whether there was something that was out of the control of the developer, which, in this case, it would be the EPA not approving the permit until August 2003. Mr. Mapes stated further he did not think anyone disagreed that there was an unforeseen delay here, and no further action is required beyond this Commission if they approve it. Mr. Bosch clarified that the permit was issued in August, however, it was not final for 30 days, and therefore the permit was not actually approved until September. Mr. Brahm stated he was an attorney representing the developer and he would request a one year extension from September 2003. Mr. Bosch stated he would like to see any and all construction completed prior to the start of school because this construction was not just water and sewer, but actually the approaches, pavement for the streets inside the subdivision, and things of that nature. Mr. Schultz stated he would also like to clarify this is for the first phase, and the construction deadlines are one year increments for each phase. He stated as there are 13 phases, they would have 13 years from that time to complete all the phases. Mr. Bosch moved due to the unforeseen delay the one year time period for construction of improvements will run from September 1, 2003 to September 1, 2004; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. England, Mr. Nicholas, Mayor Postage, and Mr. Bosch voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.

4. REPORTS:

A. Planning and Zoning Director - Lance Schultz

(1) BZA Report. Mr. Schultz stated two cases were approved last month, a side yard setback for Donley Concrete Cutting, and a rear yard setback for a house on East Street was approved. He stated in December there is one case on their agenda.

B. FCRPC - Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated last week one zone change in Bern Township was the only item on the agenda.

C. Violet Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update – Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated they would meet on December 10^th.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

A. Tree Commission. No report.

B. Review and discussion regarding Olde Downtown Pickerington Village Sign Code. Mr. England stated after the open house this evening he felt the banner signs should be removed. Mr. Bosch stated he agreed with the comments regarding some sort of changeable lettering, that he would not like to see that in the old downtown, but some chalkboard type surface for restaurant uses. He stated he did not see the need for this kind of sign for other types of businesses. Mr. Bosch stated we want the old downtown to look a certain way, and if we can start with removing the banners and setting guidelines for the sandwich board type signs, then we can look at the issues of the not for profit signs, etc. Mr. Schultz clarified that the Commission would like to see a draft of the proposed changes in their next packets and a public hearing could be scheduled for February if they agree with the changes. Mr. Nicholas stated he would also like to see real estate signs in the old village being uniform if at all possible. Mr. Bosch stated he would like to see a section created in the Code that deals with the signage issue in the old downtown area, and then deal with each type of sign or issue individually. Mr. Schultz stated he would have to review the Code to see where this could best be incorporated. Mr. Schultz stated he would provide a draft to the Commission for their next meeting. He stated he would also provide the draft to business owners for their review and they could provide comments to the Commission at the January meeting if they desired.

C. Review and discussion regarding an Ordinance to Enact Chapter 1480 of the Pickerington Codified Ordinances Relative to the Preservation of Notable Structures within the City. Mr. Schultz stated he had provided a copy of a recently adopted ordinance approved by Council. He stated this ordinance authorized this Commission to create a listing of notable structures. Mr. Bosch clarified this would not be an historic district, but identifying notable structures throughout the city. Mr. Schultz stated once this listing is put together, he would recommend an open house be scheduled for the owners of all property identified on this list. Mayor Postage stated there was a lot of discussion on Council floor regarding this ordinance. The Commission requested Mrs. Yartin provide copies of all of the minutes from Committee and Council dealing with this discussion in their next packets for their review.

Mr. Schultz stated Mr. Farrell is present this evening and he would like to address the Commission regarding storage sheds.

Robert Farrell, 416 Pickering Drive. Mr. Farrell stated he lives in RaMar acres and his family built this home in the 1970’s. He stated in RaMar there is not a very large turnover, however, the home next to his recently sold. He continued that home had two storage sheds in the back yard and the new owner has now put up a third storage shed. Mr. Farrell stated after speaking to Mr. Schultz, he learned that up to 34 percent of the square footage of a parcel can be impervious surface or can be under roof. He stated the lots in this subdivision are 100’x180’ so they are good sized lots. He stated he would like to see this Commission entertain limiting the amount of these out buildings that can be put on a parcel, or the square footage. Mr. Farrell provided photographs for the Commission to see what these three buildings looked like in his backyard. He stated with the size of these lots, this individual could add two or three more of these units. Mr. Farrell stated he understood that nothing could be done regarding the current situation, however, he would like to see that this cannot happen in the future. Mr. Schultz stated he would like to point out that our code allows a 10’x12’ storage shed without a permit as long as it is five feet from the property line. He continued if it is larger than that, the building department must review it to determine if it becomes a liveable space. Mr. Bosch stated he would have no problem looking into this issue to see what we can include in the Code to either limit the number of storage sheds, the square footage allowed for them, or something of that nature. Mr. Schultz stated he would review this issue and provide something to the Commission.

6. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Nicholas moved to adjourn; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion. Mr. England, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, and Mayor Postage voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0. The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 8:10 P.M., December 9, 2003.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

___________________________ ___________________________

Lynda D. Yartin Lance A. Schultz

Municipal Clerk Director, Planning and Zoning