REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

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. Fix, Mr. Smith, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. O’Brien were present. Mr. Blake was absent. Others present were: Lance Schultz, Lynda Yartin, Bob Mapes, Jeff Frazer, Tony Dill, Jim Luse, Tom Morris, Bob Devine, Rick Sicker, John Humbert, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF August 10, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Fix, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Kramer voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 6-0.

3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:

A. Review and request for motion to approve Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping and Lighting for a 3,700 square foot retail building for The S.R. 256 Company located at 1302-1306 Hill Road North (Morris Property). Mr. Schultz stated the site plan and building materials were approved by this Commission in May. Mr. Schultz stated the applicant has identified 16 trees that have a diameter of between 6 to 12 inches, and our tree preservation ordinance requires replacement of these trees on a one-to-one basis. He stated, therefore, 16 trees are required in addition to the typical number of trees and landscaping for such development and they should be located throughout the development. He stated streetscape buffering adjacent to S.R. 256 is required and they are putting mounding long the northern portion of the site adjacent to S.R. 256. He stated mounding is not required along the southern portion because the site drops about six feet into the parking lot, however, additional landscape beds of shrubs and flowers should be installed along the southern portion of the site. He continued perimeter buffering is not required because it is surrounded by commercial uses. Mr. Schultz stated for the interior landscaping the owner is proposing 16 trees while a minimum of 16 is required for the replacement of the existing trees, and a minimum of 8 additional trees should be installed along the northern and southern perimeters because they would have to plant trees even if they did not have to comply with the tree preservation ordinance. For lighting the owner is proposing three light poles with square fixtures throughout the parking lot, and the light poles are proposed to be 25 feet in height. The light fixtures would have to be the cut-off type, and staff suggests light fixtures that are rural in character, like the fixtures at Creek Bend Business Park and Cross Creeks, be used. There does not appear be any wall-mounted lights. He further stated there are some illumination of the lights that is over one foot candle at the property line adjacent to commercial property, and that needs to be reduced to one foot candle or below. Mr. Schultz stated staff supports the Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping and Lighting with the following conditions: (1) that additional landscape beds consisting of shrubs and flowers be installed along the southern frontage of Hill Road North, (2) that a minimum of eight additional trees shall be installed along the northern, southern, and western perimeters of the site, (3) that the light fixtures shall be rural in character to match the fixtures at Creek Bend Business Park, and (4) that the illumination of the light poles shall be 1.0 or less foot-candle adjacent to commercial property. Mr. Tom Morris stated this is a very challenging site and he has given a 30 foot by 200 foot easement across the rear and he is running out of space to put any additional trees. He stated it is not that he objects to putting in the trees, it is just that he does not have space. Mr. Morris stated further he is confused regarding the lighting fixture issue because he is proposing the same fixtures that are being used directly across the street at Kohl’s. Mr. Schultz stated Kohl’s has 40 foot light poles, which are standard for larger parking lots. He stated in smaller parking lots, such as Creek Bend and Cross Creeks, we use smaller lights that are rural in character. Mr. Bosch clarified the parking lot lighting for the medical complex behind him and the auto supply store are different than the Creek Bend and Cross Creeks, but they were built several years ago. Mr. Bosch stated it seemed those were more the commercial type like Mr. Morris was proposing. Mr. Bosch clarified Mr. Schultz was recommending extra trees and flower beds by S.R. 256. Mr. Schultz stated it is possible if there is not room for the trees that, per the ordinance, the developer can give the trees to the City and we can plant them elsewhere. Mr. Schultz stated our arborist had gone out to the site and he felt there was sufficient room to put additional trees. Mr. Bosch further clarified the easement Mr. Morris had given was fully paved. Mr. Morris stated he would be happy to work with the City Arborist to plant as many trees as he can on the site, and any he cannot he would give to the City. Mr. Nicholas clarified the developer was proposing 25-foot light poles, and his only concern is that this is a difficult site as it drops down. He stated it is right on the curve on S.R. 256 and his concern would be a glare in driver’s eyes as they are coming around that curve. Mr. Morris stated these lights are squared and are on the S.R. 256 side of the parking lot, facing in towards the building. Mr. Nicholas clarified there would be service lighting on the back of the building and stated we would have to look at those fixtures to ensure they are similar to what is on the pole, but made for the building, and that it does not go out into other properties and so forth. Mr. Nicholas stated he would not have a problem letting staff approve those fixtures as long as it meets our criteria. Mr. Schultz stated on the northern portion of the site there is a landscape bed and approximately a four foot high mound where the sign would be. He stated as you go south on S.R. 256 the mounding becomes less and it looks like it is a grass area, and he was thinking there should be more shrubs and landscaping that would block the view of the parking lot. Mr. Nicholas inquired if there was anything regarding the screening of utility boxes along S.R. 256, and Mr. Schultz stated he was not sure where the utility boxes would be. Mr. Morris stated the current utility box is in the right-of-way. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve the Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping and Lighting per staff recommendations, that the developer work with staff regarding the building lighting and the trees per the preservation ordinance; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Mr. Bosch stated he felt the lighting as proposed was appropriate for this site because it sits down so low. Mr. Nicholas moved to amend his motion to approve the lighting as proposed with the condition that the 25-foot height applies to not the poles, but the light fixture itself, because of the possibility of putting it on a two to three foot concrete pier; Mr. Fix seconded the amended motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Fix, Mr. Kramer, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.

B. Review and request for a motion to approve an amended Comprehensive Sign Plan for Speedway Gas Station at 1711 Hill road North. Mr. Schultz stated this Commission approved a Comprehensive Sign Plan for the Shoppes at Turnberry in November 2003, and the Speedway station would like to revise the sign colors on the building and the gas canopy. Mr. Schultz stated the existing sign on the building has white letters with a brown sign band, and the proposed sign would have red letters with a white sign band. He stated the letters are nearly the same size as the existing letters and the letters on the red sign would not be illuminated, the sign band would extend around the entire building, and the sign band would not be illuminated. He stated further the existing canopy sign has white letters with a brown sign band and the proposed sign would have red letters with a white sign band. The proposed letter sizes are nearly the same as the existing letters, and the proposed sign would have red neon letters. The previous signs were backlit. The sign band would extend around the entire canopy, and the sign band would not be illuminated. He stated the owners of the shopping center have agreed to these modifications and the request is consistent with UDF, BP, and Sunoco gas stations in the City. Mr. Schultz stated staff supports the amendment to the Comprehensive Sign Plan and a sign permit is required for the building and canopy signs. Mr. Jeff Frazer stated he was present representing Speedway and he would answer any questions the Commission may have. He stated the change in the sign is the version of what they are doing corporately. He stated for the price sign they are going to change from the white on blue to white on black and they were going from listing three prices to listing two prices. Mr. Bosch clarified the Speedway sign would have red neon lights where the current sign is backlit. Mr. Frazer these were channel letters that go on the canopy that have neon tubes inside. Mr. Bosch stated they would be individual letters that were more or less backlit by the neon rather than the panel. Mr. Fix moved to approve the amended Comprehensive Sign Plan for Speedway Gas Station; Mr. Kramer seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Kramer, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Fix, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Smith, and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.

C. Review and request for motion to approve Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan/Building Materials for a 5,400 square foot office building (Phase I of the Luse Office Buildings) located on 5.13 acres west of the Pickerington Medical Complex and east of Cherry Hill Subdivision (Luse Property). Mr. Schultz stated the owner is proposing to construct a 5,400 square foot office building with 28 parking spaces. He stated the site would have access through the existing curb cut at Pickerington Medical Complex, which Mr. Luse also owns. He stated the western end of the building would be almost adjacent to the western end of the church located just south of the site. This proposal is Phase I of a potentially larger development on this parcel. A preliminary concept plan for the 5.13 acre site identifies ten buildings yielding approximately 52,000 square feet of office space with 292 parking spaces. Access would likely be from a new curb cut on S.R. 256 just north of the Pickerington Medical Complex. Mr. Schultz stated the site plan appears to meet all zoning requirements and there appears to be sufficient area to accommodate the interior and perimeter landscaping requirements. Mr. Schultz stated he would like to point out that the approval tonight would be for one building and the shaded area of the parking lot, not the other nine buildings and the remainder of the parking lot. Mr. Schultz stated a 50-foot Type A buffer with 4-6 feet high mounding with landscaping and/or fencing would be required adjacent to the residential homes along the western perimeter of the site and a 25-foot Type A buffer with mounding and landscaping and/or fencing would be required along the southwestern portion of the site adjacent to the residential homes. Further a 10-foot Type C buffer with landscaping would be installed along the southern perimeter of the site adjacent to the church. A fence should be installed adjacent to the playground area of the church. Mr. Schultz stated because the proposed building is approximately 560 feet from the houses in the Cherry Hill subdivision (the same distance as Logos Church), staff recommends that the Type A buffer along the western and southwestern perimeters occur in Phase II of the development. Mr. Schultz stated the development is utilizing the existing Pickerington Medical Complex curb cut. Per a land covenant between the previous land owners and the City in 1992, the City is permitting a right-in/right-out access across from the PYAA entrance on S.R. 256, and this curb cut could be utilized in Phase II of the development. He stated the City is preparing a traffic impact study to determine the type of traffic movement permitted at this location, and hopefully that study will be completed some time in October. Mr. Fix clarified this study is being done by the City and will be looking at the corridor from Drug Mart all the way down to the railroad tracks as there are other vacant parcels in this corridor that need to be addressed. Mr. Schultz stated there is a stand of trees located on this site and the applicant needs to document the size and location of trees to be removed. The trees need to be replaced per the formula in the tree preservation ordinance. Mr. Schultz further stated the subject property has several public and private easements that are located on the site. The City will permit parking lots over the water and sanitary sewer easements on this site, however, structures are not permitted. Further, the owner needs to get confirmation from the owners of the private easements if parking and landscaping is permitted within the easements. He stated there is a 20-foot electric easement along the southern perimeter of the site. Mr. Schultz stated the majority of the front (south) elevation would be comprised of brick veneer with two brick soldier course accent bands. The City prefers red brick as opposed to lighter brick colors as proposed, and a stone veneer watermark extends the length of the elevation. Two aluminum storefront window bays with arches and two rectilinear window bays are located on this elevation. The pitched roof would have dimensional shingles. The City recommends black or dark grey shingles. The rear (north) elevation would be similar to the front elevation except the windows would all be rectilinear and would not have arches. The west (side) elevation would be the main entrance and again comprised of brick veneer with a stone watermark and there would be two bays of windows with arches. The east (side) elevation would be similar to the west elevation but there would be no entrance door on this elevation. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan/Building Materials with the following conditions: (1) that the dumpster shall be screened with brick or stone materials, (2) that the brick shall be a dark red in color that is consistent with other development in the City, (3) that the roof shingles be black or dark grey in color, (4) that a six-foot high solid wood fence shall be installed adjacent to the playground area of the church, and (5) that the appropriate Type C buffer shall be required along the southern property line for the length of construction in Phase I. Mr. Schulz stated a Certificate of Appropriateness for landscaping, lighting, and signage are required for this development in the future. Mr. Schultz stated this was originally submitted in March but was withdrawn to work with access issues with the property to the north. He stated since that time the City has been working with the developer to determine where the appropriate access would be. He stated the developer is waiting to see what the exact permitted movements are at this new access location before building out this site. Mr. Bosch stated then that Sheets 1 and 2 provided to the Commission shows a full build out for all of the property owned by the developer. Mr. Schultz stated further the land covenant signed in 1992 to allow access to the site would extend Black Cherry Drive out to S.R. 256. He stated the City has been working with the developer to determine traffic movements at the location and hopefully not to extend Black Cherry Drive which would go into the Cherry Hill subdivision. Mr. Rick Sicker stated after completing a boundary survey of the property and seeing that the church playground is right on the property line, they would like to look at the idea of eliminating the parking that would be facing that and leaving extra space in there in lieu of fencing. He stated there is quite a bit of a grade change there and that is where the storm sewer outlet is, on the church property, and if you put up a fence, the fence would be in a hole. He stated that didn’t seem like it would work very well. Mr. Schultz stated that could be addressed during the Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping process. Mr. O’Brien inquired if staff has been in contact with the church to find out what their feelings were on this. Mr. Schultz stated he has spoken to someone at the church indicating an office complex was proposed, but he did not ask their feelings on this. Mr. O’Brien clarified the church playground is used by a daycare, and there is a chain link fence around it. Mr. O’Brien stated he would like to get the comments from the church prior to considering the landscaping. Mr. Sicker stated they have presented a full layout so the Commission can get an idea of the entire development. He stated he would like some kind of approval on that so when they work out grades and utilities to service the one building they are going to build they will know everything will work. Mr. Schultz stated the remainder of the concept does appear to meet zoning setbacks. Mr. Bosch stated he is somewhat familiar with the area, and behind the Logos property there are some sanitary manholes and like that, and he did not see any easements in that area on these plans. Mr. Sickler stated those were in the 50-foot easements. Mr. Bosch stated his one big concern was the proposed access for this whole site as there is a lot of square footage of business coming out of a cul de sac and out the back of an existing building. He stated he assumes that if the future road is built the existing access closes. Mr. Schultz stated the land covenant says it would be closed, however, our engineers have commented it might make sense to keep it as a right-out only. He stated that will be determined in the traffic impact study. Mr. Bosch stated he did not feel the access as it is right now adequately serves the needs of this facility. Mr. Bosch stated he would not have a problem approving the one building now with the understanding that the access is still an open issue. Mr. Bosch further stated with regard to Phase I, as shown on Sheet 2 of 2, what concerned him was how the garbage truck got in to that dumpster and would it be forced to back out to the existing medical building. He stated, as shown, the garbage truck would pull in and block the only access to the building, and then have to back out because there is no loop or anything for him to make there. Mr. Schultz stated he understood the developer was eliminating about 14 parking spaces to the south and would build them to the north, between building 1 and 2. He stated perhaps the dumpster could temporarily be put at the end of the parking lot where the truck could go in and have some type of temporary turn around. Mr. Bosch stated further the current location of the dumpster is potentially within 150 feet of people’s bedrooms and he would ask that some accommodations be made to that effect. Mr. Nicholas stated with regard to the consideration of the green space buffer in lieu of a fence, he would applaud that decision. He stated he had the same safety concerns about the dumpster location as Mr. Bosch had mentioned. Mr. Nicholas stated further he felt as far as the window frames, especially in the store front, can be arranged more to mimic the rest of the windows as far as the spacing on the frames. Mr. Nicholas ascertained the developer did not have a color board available this evening. Mr. Schultz stated the Commission could approve the site plan for the Phase I work and table the Certificate of Appropriateness until the next meeting when they bring the color board in. Mr. Bosch stated he understood the developer would like approval of the site plan so they can get on with the site plan work and get the engineering done. Mr. Sicker stated that was correct. Mr. Bosch stated he would move to approve the Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for the site plan for Phase I of the 5,400 square foot office building with staff recommendations and with the recommendation of deleting the fence right now and addressing that issue with the landscaping if that was appropriate. Mr. Mapes stated the motion could be bifurcated, and Mr. Bosch could include in the motion that the remainder of the request would be dealt with at the next meeting when the color board is available. Mr. Bosch stated he would like to include in the motion the temporary relocation of the dumpster as well. Mr. Schultz stated since they are moving the parking lot he felt it would make more sense to Table the entire item, but let them know it will likely be approved. He stated they do have to move the parking lots and show us the new parking location with the dumpster. Mr. Schultz stated that it would be a lot cleaner to Table it than deal with it in two parts. Mr. Mapes stated as he understood it, the developer would just like to know verbally if anyone has a problem with what they are doing. Mr. Schultz stated in the interim the developer could be doing their engineering drawings. He stated he felt we could allow them to submit engineering drawings based on the site plan the Commission is looking at tonight, because it sounds like we are in agreement with the plan. He stated further the Commission wants to see the building materials and with the parking lot change, it changes some of the buffering on the southern boundary. He stated he felt there were just a few too many changes not to table it. Mr. Mapes stated it is not necessary to actually Table the item, the Chairman can just request this be continued on the agenda for the next meeting. Mr. Bosch stated what the Commission was asking was for the parking lot to be moved and for the developer to bring the color board next month. Mr. Nicholas stated he would encourage the developer to work with staff regarding the parking layout and the buffer and so forth to make sure it meets what this Commission intends to approve. Mr. Bosch stated with the Commission’s concurrence he would like this continued for the next agenda.

4. REPORTS:

A. Planning and Zoning Director - Lance Schultz

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

B. FCRPC - Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated there was a zone change on Diley Road for three parcels directly across from the Manchester subdivision entrance for commercial that was tabled indefinitely. Mr. O’Brien stated he understood a public hearing was scheduled for this issue on September 21^st. Mr. Schultz stated it was his understanding that public hearing would not take place. He further stated the County did not support the zone change.

C. Violet Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update – Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated we are waiting for a public meeting at the Township level.

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 start addressing this issue sometime in the next few months.

Mr. Bosch inquired if the engineer had developed a number of trips for the drive thru that was approved at the last meeting and Mr. Schultz stated he is working on it and is still waiting for a letter from the developer providing the information from another Swan’s Cleaners in Columbus.

Mr. Bosch further clarified that the sign on the Cup’O Joe is a temporary sign for 30 days and they are allowed three 30-day increments per year. Mr. Smith clarified they can use those 30-day increments concurrently.

Mr. O’Brien ascertained that Mr. Schultz, the City Manager, the Chamber, and the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association are going to have a meeting to discuss the issue of the portable signs in the downtown area. Mr. O’Brien stated he felt it was an enforcement issue and we should enforce the legislation that was developed. He stated further he would like to know if we are going to move on with the enforcement of exterior lighting, and if there is not an issue we can enforce is it possible to make an issue for appropriateness for lighting. Mr. Schultz stated we do not have anything in our ordinance for the old downtown addressing lights. Mr. Bosch stated that was the next item this Commission was going to address. Mr. Schultz stated one of the complaints from the businesses was that they could not get the brown textured plastic signs from the sign companies and we are working to determine if that is correct. Mr. Smith stated this Commission had worked with the business owners to make sure the regulation was amenable to them. Mr. Bosch asked Mr. Schultz to please express this Board’s desire to have action taken on this matter because there are other factors this Board would like to address.

Mr. O’Brien stated he had a question regarding the lighting at Kohl’s. He questioned if they could turn off a good portion of the lights during the overnight hours and run similar to what you have in an office building, emergency lighting, left on all night. He stated that is an awful lot of light pollution for residents who live near there. Mr. Schultz stated to his knowledge we did not have legislation saying they have to turn so many off at a certain time. Mr. Bosch inquired if the City Engineer had any means of measuring the lighting because it is awfully bright at night. Mr. O’Brien stated if there is nothing on the books regarding being able to control the light at night, perhaps we should start working toward that. Mr. Schultz stated he would look into this issue and see if there are avenues where it can be addressed.

6. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Nicholas moved to adjourn; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Fix, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Smith voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 6-0. The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 8:55 P.M., September 14, 2004.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

___________________________ ___________________________

Lynda D. Yartin Lance A. Schultz

Municipal Clerk Director, Planning and Zoning