PLANNING
AND ZONING COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
TUESDAY,
MARCH 9, 2004
PUBLIC
HEARING
7:20
P.M.
OPEN DISCUSSION
REGARDING A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT CONCERNING PORTABLE SIGN REGULATIONS IN THE
OLDE PICKERINGTON VILLAGE AREA
Mr. Bosch
opened the public hearing at 7:20 P.M., with the following members of the
Planning and Zoning Commission present:
Mr. Smith, Mr. Blake, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Bosch. Mr. Fix was absent. Others present were: Mitch O’Brien, Lance
Schultz, Lynda Yartin, Bob Mapes, Barbara Freeman, Jim Waits, John Gambino, and
others.
Mr. Bosch asked if anyone present would like to speak for or against the proposed text amendment that deals with portable signs, also known as sandwich boards.
Mr. Mapes pointed out there is a clause in the legislation that will allow restaurants the ability to change their daily specials. Mr. Bosch stated the legislation also allows for the plastic or the wood to allow for the weight issues that had been discussed.
Mr. Bosch ascertained there were no further comments and declared the public hearing closed at 7:24 P.M., March 9, 2004.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ATTEST:
____________________________ _____________________________
Lynda D. Yartin, Lance A. Schultz,
Municipal Clerk Director, Planning and Zoning
CITY OF PICKERINGTON
PLANNING
AND ZONING COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
TUESDAY,
MARCH 9, 2004
7:30
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Bosch called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Smith, Mr. Blake, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Bosch were present. Mr. Fix was absent. Others present were: Mitch O’Brien, Lance Schultz, Lynda Yartin, Bob Mapes, Jim Waits, Barbara Freeman, John Gambino, and others.
2. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF February 10, 2004, Public Hearing regarding zone change at 836 Refugee Road. Mr. Smith moved to approve; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. There being no questions or comments, the minutes were approved.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF February 10, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mr. Smith moved to approve; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. There being no questions or comments, the minutes were approved.
Mr. Bosch stated with Mr. England’s resignation, the Commission needs to select a new Chairman and Vice Chairman. Mr. Smith moved to nominate Brian Bosch as Chairman, Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
Mr. Bosch moved to nominate Chris Smith as Vice Chairman; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:
A. Review and request for motion to approve
Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Signage for All
Pets at Pickerington located at 573 Hill Road North. (TABLED)
B. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to amend Section 1292.05 and enact Section 1292.02 of the Pickerington Codified Ordinances to promulgate standards and regulations for portable signs in the downtown Pickerington village area. Mr. Schultz stated in July staff noticed there were several portable signs in the downtown area and our Code prohibits portable signs. He stated the city determined we should be proactive and business friendly and create an ordinance to regulate these signs rather than eliminate them. Mr. Schultz stated in preparing an inventory in August, he found there were 17 portable signs and 4 banner signs that were not permitted, and 4 nonconforming signs. He stated this Commission had requested he research other communities and prepare a draft ordinance for them to review. Mr. Schultz stated he had provided information to the Commission in October and they scheduled an open house in November and another in December to allow the business owners to provide input. Mr. Schultz stated based on all of that information another public hearing was held this evening and the draft ordinance is on the agenda for this Commission to consider. Mr. Schultz stated this legislation defines the old village area and provides a definition of portable signs. He stated the legislation further states the signs shall be located on the business’ property or on the sidewalk immediately adjacent to the business and there shall be at least 48 inches of clear walking space on the sidewalk where the sign is placed to provide handicap access. Mr. Schultz further stated the sign shall not exceed 5-1/2 feet in height and 4 feet in width, and the sign area shall not exceed 12 square feet. Mr. Schultz stated the signs shall be constructed of wood or plastic, and shall be brown and textured. He continued the sign shall only utilize permanent lettering or logo, however, a restaurant business may have a chalkboard area on the sign for edible copy. He stated further, the sign shall be displayed no more than one-half hour before the business opens and one-half hour after the business closes. Mr. Schultz stated any portable sign will be required to come through this Commission for approval and a sign permit will be required. Mr. Schultz stated upon approval by this Commission, non-profit organizations are allowed to have two portable signs in the old village area for a maximum of 14 days each.
Mr. O’Brien stated the draft legislation does not state whether lighting is allowed or disallowed on the signs. Mr. Schultz stated they do not have standards in the old downtown, and perhaps that should be considered. Mr. Bosch stated that was discussed at the last meeting and this Commission did wish to review that issue. Mr. Bosch stated the ordinance states the signs should be “brown in texture” and he felt that should read “brown and textured,” and questioned if the color of the wood should be spelled out as well. Mr. Mapes stated each sign does have to come before this Commission for approval, and the Commission could review the colors at that time. Mr. Nicholas stated he felt there were many shades of brown and he felt the wording in the ordinance should read “plastic and wood signs shall be brown and textured.” He stated this would allow the Commission to approve signs based on samples that were brought in. Mr. O’Brien stated since the signs cannot be staked to the ground, should something be added in to allow them a way to secure the signs so they will not be blown away. Mr. Mapes stated if the signs are constructed like a ladder, when it is opened it will lock, and that should prevent them being blown. Mr. Mapes stated he did not see a problem with having a way to anchor them. Mr. Bosch stated he did not think this Commission was trying to put everything in the ordinance, and since it is a small area and the business owners have had input into the ordinance, he did not think that was going to be an issue. Mr. Mapes stated when the signs are brought in for approval, if this Commission feels something more is needed to keep it from blowing over, it can be dealt with at that time. Mr. Gambino stated he does have a problem with the placement of the sign, because the City owns the front of his building and the landscaping on either side, and the handicapped access is directly in front of his doors. Mr. Bosch stated each sign would have to be handed on a case by case basis. Mr. Mapes stated he could add some language to the ordinance that would allow the signs to be placed in the tree lawn if approved by this Commission. Mr. Nicholas stated he felt the sight triangle needed to be addressed in this ordinance as a safety issue. Mr. Nicholas stated he concurred that when it gets windy or a storm is coming, the owners can bring the signs in. Mr. Nicholas further stated the draft ordinance states a portable sign cannot exceed a height of 5-1/2 feet, and he would recommend that the words “including it’s supports” be added so the entire sign and structure in it’s entirety not exceed that height. Mr. Nicholas stated he is not in favor of lighting on the portable signs as they are to be brought in each night, and he did not know how that would be approved or disapproved. Mr. Schultz stated most of the signs would be in the right-of-way so they will be on city property. Mr. Nicholas stated he would be in favor of having language in the ordinance that prohibited the portable signs from being lit because there is plenty of street lighting and ambient lighting for people to be able to read the signs. Mr. Nicholas stated further his last concern would be what the penalty would be if the signs were not taken in each night. Mr. Schultz stated that would be an enforcement issue and would be a minor misdemeanor. Mr. Smith stated he felt this Commission was trying to accomplish something that would work for the business owners as well as for the City. Mr. Bosch stated he would have no problem including language regarding the sight triangle, and Mr. Schultz stated that is in the sign code. Mr. Bosch stated we may just need to reference that in this ordinance and this ordinance is in addition to the current sign code. Mr. Mapes stated another issue is that the ordinance states the sign shall be located on the owner’s property or the sidewalk immediately adjacent to the property. Currently you cannot locate signs in the public right-of-way. Mr. Mapes stated in cases where there is curb lawn and we intend for the businesses to put the signs there, it should be included in the ordinance. Mr. Bosch stated he would like to ensure that this would be allowed only in the old downtown area, and businesses along S.R. 256 could not be putting signs in the tree lawn. Mr. Blake clarified that sign permits cannot be revoked once they are approved, however, for example if the signs are left out over night, it would become an enforcement issue and is handled in that manner. Mr. Smith stated he felt the issue of lighting on signs should be dealt with on a case by case basis and approved or denied by this Commission. Mr. Mapes stated a lighting concept could be put forward with the initial sign application and could also be submitted as a modification to current permits. Mr. Mapes summarized the Commission’s recommended changes to the draft ordinance included the language regarding the “brown and textured” composition of the sign; the height should include the supports or structure; remove the language that the sign shall not be staked or otherwise attached to the ground; add the language that the sign may be located in the tree lawn area if approved; language that such signs shall not have lights attached except as approved by this Commission; and add language that no sign shall be located in the sight triangle at any intersection. Mr. Schultz inquired if non-profit signs could be approved by an annual blanket approval in cases where they are put up monthly rather than having them come in each time. Mr. Schultz stated an example would be the Shoppe Hoppe signs that are put up each month. The Commission members concurred that would be more efficient than individual requests. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve and forward the draft ordinance with the changes recommended by this Commission to Service Committee; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Blake voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
Mr. Schultz clarified Service Committee would review this ordinance at their meeting on March 18th, and a public hearing before Council is scheduled for April 6th.
4. REPORTS:
(1) BZA Report. Mr. Schultz stated there were no cases in February, and there are no cases scheduled for March.
B. FCRPC - Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated Spring Creek, Section 1, Phase III, received a final plat extension and a new subdivision preliminary plan was approved for the Ravines at Tollgate, which is located west of Tollgate Road and north of S.R. 204 in Violet Township.
C. Violet Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update – Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated they finalized land use concepts for the various areas and they are looking at an initial thoroughfare plan update.
5. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Tree Commission. No report.
B. 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 hoped to look at this sometime this summer when we get better mapping of the City.
C. Storage Shed Research. Mr. Schultz stated he provided the Commission with a memo on this issue. He stated he felt we should add a new Chapter to the Code concerning storage sheds and he would recommend one storage building of 120 square feet be permitted on a single family lot with an existing house on it. Mr. Schultz further stated the storage shed should be five feet from the property line, a maximum of 15 feet high, and the structures should not be used to store automobile related vehicles. The structure should also be of compatible in appearance, architecture character, building materials, and color of the residential structure. He further stated he felt we needed to modify our conditional use chapter that allows storage buildings in certain districts. Mr. Nicholas stated he felt a minimum width of eight feet should be included so there would be some uniformity.
Mr. Smith stated he would like to point out that a few months ago this Commission approved a sign for the Creek Bend Parks development, and did not require brickwork. Mr. Schultz stated he had reviewed this, and during the meeting the Commission requested changes to the sign and the brickwork did not get included in the approval. Mr. Smith stated Mr. Schultz had contacted the applicant and requested them to provide a cost on getting the brickwork done. He stated when he receives that information he will provide it to the Commission. Mr. Bosch stated he felt the developer would want to be a good neighbor and would put the brickwork in.
6. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Nicholas moved to adjourn; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Blake voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0. The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 8:55 P.M., March 9, 2004.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
___________________________ ___________________________
Lynda D. Yartin Lance A. Schultz
Municipal Clerk Director, Planning and Zoning