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. Fix, Mr. Blake, Mr. Kramer, and Mr. O’Brien were present. Mr. Bosch, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Nicholas were absent. Others present were: Judy Gilleland, Lance Schultz, Lynda Yartin, Bob Mapes, Dennis Meecham, Kevin South, Andy Delzoppo, Nick Vollman, Gus Mecera, Don Kinsec, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF June 8, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mr. Kramer seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien abstaining, and Mr. Fix, Mr. Blake, and Mr. Kramer voting “Yea.” Motion failed, 3-0. Mr. Blake requested the approval of these minutes be continued for the next meeting.

3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:

A. Review and request for motion to a Conditional Use Permit for a second (dual) drive thru for McDonalds located at 1091 Hill Road North. Mr. Schultz stated the owner was proposing a second drive thru ordering station just west of the existing one. He stated they felt a second drive thru would provide more efficient service to their customers. Mr. Schultz stated the existing and proposed drive thru stations meet the requirements for a fast food drive thru, which include access issues, buffering adjacent to residential properties, and compliance with exterior lighting standards. Mr. Schultz stated the proposed second drive thru will eliminate seven parking spaces, add an escape lane around the proposed ordering station, widen the radius of the access drive, and require some re-stripping in the parking lot. He stated the stacking space actually increases by at least one vehicle and the internal access circulation should not be negatively impacted by this request. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the conditional use request. Mr. Schultz stated further they were also requesting a menu board, and that would need sign approval. Mr. Schultz stated he had missed this on the application and it would be up to the Commission to decide if they wanted to include that this evening or put it on the next agenda. Mr. Fix stated he did not see any reason to continue it for a month, and questioned if the Commission could approve it with the understanding they would use the standard drive thru menu board. Mr. Mapes stated that if that is included in the motion, that would be appropriate. Mr. Mapes clarified the menu board proposed is identical to the one they already have. Mr. Mecera stated he was the construction manager for McDonald’s and the work that is proposed at the existing McDonald’s is to add a second order point. He stated the menu board would be a duplicate of what is there now, and will reduce the backlog of vehicles that sometimes happens. Mr. O’Brien inquired if Mr. Schultz had spoken to McDonald’s at all about the entrance on S.R. 256. He stated there have been problems at that intersection and he would like to see that turned into a right in/right out access. Mr. Schultz stated he understood when that was originally approved there were some conditions put on that entrance. Mr. O’Brien asked Mr. Schultz to look into that especially now with the construction going on by the Drug Mart. Mr. O’Brien stated he thought this should be looked into as a separate issue. Mr. Fix moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit for a second (dual) drive thru for McDonald’s with the understanding that the second menu board will be the same as the current one; Mr. Blake seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Fix, Mr. Kramer, and Mr. Blake voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.

B. Review and request for motion to approve Commercial Design Guidelines Certificates of Appropriateness for Site Plan/Building Materials and Lighting for Lot 3 of the Creek Bend Business Park. Mr. Schultz stated this lot fronts S.R. 256 and the owner is proposing to construct a 13,000 square foot retail building that would be 28 feet in height, and would have access from Clint Drive. He stated the site plan identifies 102 parking spaces, which should be sufficient, however, calculations would be required when each tenant space is leased. He stated a dumpster and loading area are located just east and west of the building respectively, and storm water would likely be detained in the parking lot. Mr. Schultz stated the site plan appears to meet all the zoning requirements and there appears to be sufficient area to accommodate the interior and perimeter landscaping requirements. Mr. Schultz further stated there would be a single curb cut on Clint Drive and there is a signalized intersection at S.R. 256 and CrossCreeks Boulevard to enter the Creek Bend Business Park. He further stated a right-in/right-out only curb cut is located just south of the subject site on S.R. 256. Mr. Schultz stated the front elevation has three primary gabled entrance features with seven other entrance doors. He further stated the building would be constructed of a combination of red brick, white limestone, beige fiber-cement siding and trim, and would have large bays of windows. The elevation would match the two existing buildings on Lots 1 and 2 of the Creek Bend Business Park and a stone veneer watermark will extend the length of the elevation. The rear elevation would be comprised of stucco. He stated the rear elevations of the other two buildings on Lots 1 and 2 match the front elevation, however, their rear elevations front Clint Drive while the subject site abuts a stand of trees next to a residential subdivision. He further stated ten metal service doors would access the building from this elevation. Mr. Schultz stated the east and west elevations would be comprised of brick veneer with a stone veneer watermark, each elevation would have a bay of windows and the watermark would extend the length of the elevations. Further, the roof materials would be dimensional shingles to match the buildings on Lots 1 and 2, and to buffer any mechanical equipment a fence should be installed on the east (rear) elevation facing the residential subdivision. The owner is proposing seven light poles throughout the parking lot that are 20 feet in height, eight wall mounted fixtures are proposed, four on the front elevation and two each on the side elevations, the light boxes shall match the ones installed on Lots 1 and 2, and the illumination of the lights at the property lines meet City standards. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for site plan/building materials and lighting with the condition that any mechanical equipment on the roof of the building shall be screened from the adjacent residential subdivision, that the light poles shall be 20 feet in height and the light boxes shall match the ones installed on Lots 1 and 2, and that each dumpster shall be screened with a wood or brick material. Mr. Schultz stated a Certificate of Appropriateness for landscaping and a Comprehensive Sign Plan will be required. Mr. Kevin South stated he is the developer for this project. Mr. South distributed an aerial photograph of the site that showed the relative location of the building on the site. He stated he would request the Commission consider the elimination of the rear fence screening the mechanicals as the building faces northeast and there is a dense woods at the rear of the building. He stated he walked the site prior to this meeting and the 50 foot set back extends right to where the tree stand ends. Mr. Mapes clarified the existing trees are on this property. Mr. Schultz stated he would like to wait on reviewing the landscaping certificate because this has to meet new State annexation requirements and also the City requirements and he did not have the opportunity to walk this entire site as yet. He stated further he felt it made more sense to do this as one comprehensive plan rather than individual plans. Mr. Blake ascertained the property directly behind this site, after the 50 foot set back, is owned by an individual named Myers. Mr. Schultz stated that land fronts S.R. 256 as you go further north on 256. Mr. Schultz stated his concern about the buffering of the mechanical equipment is that the two existing buildings have the screening, the Skyline building across the street has the screening, and the buffering is there today, but during the winter months when the trees are bare, the residents would likely be able to see the backs of these buildings. Mr. Blake stated his concern was also future development, what would happen down the road if that property develops and there was no screening on this building. Mr. South stated he just felt this was an undue expense and he felt the way the property sits it is unlikely the residents could see the mechanicals. Mr. Fix clarified the cost to the developer to do this screening was approximately $8,000. Mr. Fix stated his concern is also that those trees are there today, but may not be there tomorrow, and $8,000 in the long term is not that great an expense for the developer. He stated to protect our standards and the nearby residents, the building should be done right. Mr. O’Brien moved to approve the Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan/Building Materials and Lighting for Lot 3 of the Creek Bend Business Park with the conditions that any mechanical equipment on the roof of the building shall be screened, the light poles shall be 20-feet in height and the light boxes shall match the ones installed on Lots 1 and 2 of the Business Park, and that each dumpster be screened with a wood or brick material; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Kramer, Mr. Blake, Mr. Fix, and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.

4. REPORTS:

A. Planning and Zoning Director - Lance Schultz

(1) BZA Report. Mr. Schultz stated there were no cases in June and there are no cases scheduled for July.

B. FCRPC - Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated at the last meeting there were two items on the agenda that were in Violet Township, the subdivisions of Tollgate and Meadowmore, and they were approved.

C. Violet Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update – Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated the consultant is preparing a draft of the complete plan that will be distributed at the next meeting. He stated it is likely the Township will schedule a public hearing in the next few months. Mr. Fix clarified that Mr. Schultz and Ms Crotty from the City sit on this steering committee. Mr. Fix further clarified that some areas of the Township’s land use plan are very similar to the City’s, and the majority of the changes they have will be in the area around the new high school.

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 move forward with this yet this summer.

C. Marcus Theater Outlot Access Alternatives. Mr. Schultz stated the Commission had been provided a memorandum on this issue. He stated staff and our engineer met with the applicant and the recommendation to this Commission is to have a single curb cut on the eastern outlot, approximately 150 feet from S.R. 204. He stated the curb cut to the western outlot will not be constructed at this time, and southbound traffic from S.R. 204 to Marcus Theater will have a left-hand turn lane into the outlot, traffic will not stop at the eastern outlot or as it enters the Marcus Theater parking lot. He further stated a new turn lane, or escape lane, will be added along the southern entrance. Mr. Schultz continued that for northbound traffic to S.R. 204, there would be a left hand turn lane into the western outlot when the outlot is developed and this lane would be stripped in the interim. There will be a stop sign located just south of the outlot curb cut for northbound traffic. He stated there will be two lanes from the outlots to S.R. 204, with a left hand turn lane out to 204, and a right-turn lane and a thru lane that would go through Cycle Way at the S.R. 204 intersection. Mr. Schultz stated staff recommended approval of this design conditioned upon the additional southbound lane be constructed prior to the occupancy of the buildings on the eastern outlot, and the curb cut to the eastern outlot be relocated to south of the site adjacent to the Marcus Theater parking lot if the approved location causes dangerous traffic situations in the opinion of the City that compromises the health, safety, and general welfare of drivers in the area. He stated dangerous traffic situations include stacking back-ups on S.R. 204, increased traffic accidents in the area, and other situations deemed dangerous by City staff. Mr. Schultz stated staff felt comfortable with this design with that condition so it can be moved behind the site if there is a safety issue. Mr. O’Brien indicated signage should be installed in some locations to indicate a two-way stop and that through traffic will not stop. Mr. Vollman stated he would note that. Mr. O’Brien stated there were some areas on the Marcus property that could be hazardous and requested Marcus be approached about the safety in that area. Mr. Vollman stated he would like the language regarding who would determine if the traffic situation is dangerous and would require the relocation of the curb cut be more specific, rather than just city staff. Mr. Schultz stated perhaps it should be required to come back through this Commission. Mr. Blake clarified that the suggestion was if the City staff determined the curb cut should be relocated for safety issues, then it would come back to this Commission to determine if it should be relocated. Mr. Vollman stated that would allow them to present their position to this Commission as well. Mr. O’Brien moved to approve the Marcus Theater Outlot Access alternative as presented this evening with the condition that the additional southbound lane be constructed prior to the occupancy of the buildings on the eastern outlot, and that the curb cut to the eastern outlot shall be relocated to south of the site adjacent to the Marcus Theater parking lot if the approved location causes dangerous traffic situations in the opinion of the Planning and Zoning Commission that compromises the health, safety, and general welfare of drivers in the area; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Blake voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.

6. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Blake moved to adjourn; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Mr. Blake, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Kramer, and Mr. Fix voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0. The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 8:09 P.M., July 13, 2004.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

___________________________ ___________________________

Lynda D. Yartin Lance A. Schultz

Municipal Clerk Director, Planning and Zoning