REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

7:30 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Bosch called the meeting to order at 7:40 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, Jim Luse, Rick Sicker, Steve Agganis, Kevin South, Dennis Meacham, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF September 14, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mr. Smith 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 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 this is continued from the last meeting and the proposal is for Phase I of a potentially larger development on the parcel that would include 52,000 square feet on five acres. Mr. Schultz stated access to the site will likely be from a new curb cut on S.R. 256 just north of the Pickerington Medical Complex, however, Phase I will use the existing access at the medical complex. Mr. Schultz stated the site plan appears to meet all zoning requirements and there appears to be sufficient area to accommodate perimeter and interior landscaping. Mr. Schultz stated a 50-foot buffer with 4 to 6 foot high mounding would be required on the western and southwestern portions of the site, and a solid row of 6 foot high pines would be required adjacent to the church’s play area. He stated because the proposed building is approximately 560 feet from the Cherry Hill subdivision, staff recommends the buffering along the western and southwestern perimeters of the site occur in Phase II of the development. Mr. Schultz stated with regard to the access plan, per a land covenant in 1992 between the previous land owners and the City, the Ctity is permitting a right-in/right-out access curb cut across from the PYAA entrance on S.R. 256, and this will likely be utilized in Phase II of the development. Mr. Schultz stated the City is preparing a traffic impact study to determine the type of traffic movement permitted at this location. Mr. Schultz stated the applicant is required to document the size and location of trees to be removed and they must be replaced in accordance with the formula in the tree preservation ordinance. Mr. Schultz stated the subject property has several public and private easements on the site. He stated the City will permit parking lots over the water and sanitary sewer easements, however, the owner will need to get confirmation from the owners of the private easements if parking is permitted on their easements. Mr. Schultz stated the majority of the front elevation would be comprised of brick veneer with two brick soldier course accent bands. The brick will be a Monticello color which is a mix between the Logos Church and the Pickerington Medical Complex. A stone veneer watermark extends the length of the elevation and is a limestone color. Two aluminum storefront window bays with arches and two rectilinear window bays are located on this elevation. The pitched roof will have dimensional shingles that are dark grey or black in color, and the wood trim is painted a stone lion color. The window frames are brown and the gutters and downspouts are a sand color. The rear elevation would also be comprised of a majority of brick veneer with two brick soldier course accent bands, a stone veneer watermark extends the length of the elevation, four aluminum store front window bays, and the pitched roof would have dimensional shingles. The side (west) elevation would be the location of the main entrance. Brick veneer would comprise the majority of the elevation with two brick soldier course accent bands, a stone veneer watermark extending the length of the elevation, two aluminum storefront window bays with arches, and the pitched roof would have dimensional shingles. The east elevation would also be a majority of brick veneer with two brick soldier course accent bands, a stone veneer watermark extending the length of the elevation, one aluminum storefront window bay with arches and two rectilinear window bays, and a pitched roof with dimensional shingles. Mr. Schulz stated staff supports the Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan/Building Materials with the following conditions: (1) that a permanent dumpster shall be screened with brick or stone materials and that a temporary dumpster shall be screened with a wood fence; and (2) that a solid row of six-foot high pine trees shall be installed adjacent to the playground area of the church. He stated a Certificate of Appropriateness for landscaping, lighting, and signage will be required. Mr. Rick Sicker stated he was present representing the developer of this project. He stated the two main plan changes included eliminating the parking along the playground at the church and creating an area for the temporary dumpster. He stated he had also brought the color pallet tonight for the Commission to review. Mr. Bosch stated at the last meeting this Commission had discussed some of the issues with the Traffic Impact Study which is still on-going. He further stated they had discussed the playground with regard to the site plan, and that will be coming in with Phase II. He clarified the action this evening would be for Building No. 2 on the site plan, which is Phase I of the development. Mr. Bosch inquired if the site concerns regarding the grade had been addressed as he thought the Commission would receive some elevation drawings. Mr. Sicker stated they have completed engineering documents and they have been submitted to the Building Department for review. Mr. Schultz there would be a swale that drops down by the playground. Mr. Schultz stated during the preliminary review of the plans by our engineer and the Building Department there were no problems. Mr. Nicholas stated for clarification the site plan he has shows a dumpster location with an adjacent dumpster pad. Mr. Sicker stated that is correct, that pad is an existing one and it will be relocated somewhere on the site. Mr. Nicholas clarified the Commission had discussed the permanent location of the dumpster not being there. Mr. Bosch stated that was correct, and it was in relation to the final access plan, which is based on the traffic impact study. Mr. Schultz stated the permanent location can be addressed when Phase II comes in, based on the determination of the future access. Mr. Bosch stated it was his understanding that as the development continues there are a few things to be determined based upon that traffic impact study and how the final traffic pattern will be for those facilities. Mr. Schultz stated that was correct. Mr. Fix moved 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 with the understanding that the permanent dumpster shall be screened with brick or stone materials and that a temporary dumpster shall be screened with a wood fence, and that a solid row of six foot high pine trees shall be installed adjacent to the playground area of the church; Mr. Smith seconded the 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 Olde Pickerington Village Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for building materials for an awning and signage at 46 East Columbus Street for the Olde Village Diner (M’Lee’s Diner). Mr. Schultz stated the owner is proposing to replace the existing awning and install a new pylon sign. He stated the existing awning is light blue with white stripes and the proposed awning would be a dark blue with taupe stripes. He stated the door and shutters would remain painted a dark blue. Mr. Schultz stated the existing pylon sign is on a 20-foot high pole and has at least 20 square feet of area and is illuminated. He stated the proposed PVC sign, which looks like wood and has been approved in the old village area, would be be 5’x4’ for a total of 20 square feet. He stated it would be located on the 20-foot high pole with the pole being painted white and the sign would not be illuminated. Mr. Schultz stated the zoning code in the old downtown permits a 15-foot high pole with a maximum sign area of 12 square feet. He stated the proposed sign has four colors-a white background with black letters and black, violet, and green graphics. Mr. Schultz stated the zoning code allows only three colors. Mr. Schultz stated it would be staff’s recommendation to reduce the size of the sign area from 20 square feet to 12 square feet and to reduce the height of the sign pole to 10 feet to be consistent with other signs in the old downtown area. Mr. Schultz stated the current sign is one of the last non-conforming signs in the old downtown area. Mr. O’Brien stated if the sign is reduced to 4’x’3 on a 10 foot pole, people would bump their heads on it. Mr. Schultz stated the pole would be moved back or the bottom of the sign would be 9 feet, and when you add three or feet, it would become 12 or 13 feet high. Mr. Schultz stated these are minimums only. Mr. Agganis stated he was representing the owner of the property. He stated they were making significant aesthetic improvements to the building and to the signage. He stated from both a practical and cost perspective, keeping the same pole with cleaning it up and painting it, and putting in the wood looking sign, it would improve the area. He stated dropping it to 10 feet would not allow enough clearance for a pedestrian area. Mr. Bosch stated with the four colors on the sign and our code only allowing three, were there any suggestions on that. Mr. Schultz stated the sign has smoke from the train, and they have some green in there. He stated it does look appropriate, but it does not meet the code. Mr. Bosch clarified the owner’s intent is the use the existing pole, paint it white, and hang the decorative sign roughly in the same location as the current sign. Mr. Schultz stated the clearance of the current sign is approximately 15 feet. Mr. Bosch stated this is an awfully nice looking sign, but we have enforced the three colors on the sign for other businesses. Mr. Bosch inquired if the existing pole can be reduced in height at all. Mr. Agganis stated they could hang the sign lower on the pole, but the pole would still be 20 feet high. Mr. Fix clarified if the owner only wanted to change the face plate on the existing sign, they would not have to come before this Commission. Mr. Schultz stated his concern was if it was a 4’x5’sign, 20 feet in the air, it would look out of scale and lowering it would make it look more appropriate. Mr. Bosch clarified he would not have a problem if the existing pole is painted white, and the sign is lowered to about 12 feet for the total height, and the size of the sign is reduced to approximately 4-1/2’x 3-1/2’. Mr. Smith stated he concurred with that suggestion. Mr. Nicholas clarified the pole is in good structural condition. He stated it might be possible to cut the pole off and put a decorative cap on it. He stated if it is a 12-foot pole, then the bottom of the sign would be a safe distance above the walk. Mr. Agganis stated if they were to lose the square footage of the actual sign and the height, they would most likely not proceed with changing the sign because they needed that visibility. Mr. Fix clarified the owner would be more agreeable to losing the square footage of the sign and not the height. Mr. Bosch stated with working with staff, he felt a lower height for the sign could be determined that would provide the visibility the business needs, and yet still get what the Commission needs. He stated he would be willing to set a maximum height and allow staff the opportunity to work with the business owner. He stated he would also like to see the owner investigate the possibility of cutting off the top of the pole so it would be more in scale with the area. Mr. Agganis stated they did not intend to put the sign at the top of the pole, so he did not think they would have a problem putting a decorative cap on that, and he felt losing six inches off each side of the sign would be doable and still keep the look of the sign they were looking for. Mr. Schultz stated he would be happy to work with the owner, he would just like to have parameters on the minimum and maximum height above the ground and the size of the sign. Mr. Bosch moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the building materials for the awning and the signage with the maximum height of the sign 15 feet above the sidewalk, reducing the sign area to a maximum of 4-1/2x3-1/2 square feet, and the final height to be determined by the applicant and staff, reducing the height of the pole, and reducing the number of colors to three colors; Mr. Nicholas 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, Landscaping and Lighting for a 17,142 square foot building on Lots 3 and 4 of the Creek Bend Business Park. Mr. Schultz stated in July and August of this year, individual buildings were approved for these lots, and the owner has decided to consolidate those buildings into one building on both lots. He stated this will yield a 17,142 square foot building that is 28 feet high. It will have two access points from Clint Drive, and a drive-thru is proposed on the northern portion of the site. Mr. Schultz continued the site plan identifies 131 parking spaces, which should be sufficient depending upon the tenants. He stated parking calculations will be required when each tenant space is leased. A dumpster and loading area will be located just east and west of building respectively, and stormwater will be detained in the parking lot. He stated the site plan appears to meet all of the zoning requirements, and there is a 20 foot utility easement that parallels the rear of the 50 foot building setback. He stated staff recommends if this utility easement is not utilized that it should be vacated to limit any construction in this area. He further stated the dumpster should be screened with brick or stone that matches the building, and the doors should be made of wood, and the transformer should be screened with landscaping as much as possible. Mr. Schultz stated the building materials match the buildings on Lots 1 and 2, and the front elevation of the building has four primary gabled entrance features with nine other entrance doors. Mr. Schultz stated there are a few trees that would be removed along the rear of Lots 3 and 4 and these will need to be replaced per the tree preservation ordinance. He stated there is a concern because the developer is constructing a burrow pit and it may destroy the roots of some trees near it. There is a residential subdivision located in the Township just east of the site and the City requires a Type A buffer between commercial and residential property. In addition, State annexation law requires a buffer separating annexed territory and the adjacent remaining land in the Township when the uses are incompatible. This property was annexed in 2001 under the new annexation laws. There is a stand of trees that are quite dense during the growing season separating the site and the residential subdivision to the east, however, during the non-growing season the proposed building would be visible from the subdivision. Although it could be argued there is sufficient buffering, especially adjacent to Lot 3, staff recommends meeting the Type A buffer requirements of complete opaqueness from the ground to six feet above the ground. This could be a combination of mounding, landscaping, and fencing. He stated the owner is proposing a six-foot high fence along the length of the entire site. Mr. Schultz stated further streetscape buffering adjacent to Clint Drive and S.R. 256 is required, and interior landscaping is required throughout the parking lot. Mr. Schultz stated the owner is proposing landscaping in all of the parking islands except for three, and staff recommends these islands also have landscaping. Mr. Schultz continued the owner is proposing 11 light poles throughout the parking lot, 9 wall-mounted light fixtures that match the ones installed on Lots 1 and 2, and the illumination appears to meet the City’s foot-candle minimums. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan/Building Materials, Landscaping and Lighting with the conditions that any mechanical equipment on the roof be screened, that each dumpster be screened with stone or brick material that matches the building, that the two parallel parking spaces in the southeastern parking lot be eliminated, that the number of trees removed be documented and replaced per the tree preservation ordinance formula, that a two to four foot high mound be installed along S.R. 256 and a one to three foot high mound be installed along Clint Drive, that the light poles be a maximum of 20 feet in height and the light fixtures match the fixtures installed on Lots 1 and 2, and that the lighting plan meet the City foot-candle requirements at the property lines. He stated a Certificate of Appropriateness for a Comprehensive Sign Plan is required. Mr. Kevin South stated he was present representing the applicant and he would answer any questions anyone might have. Mr. Nicholas clarified the transformer would be landscaped but not enclosed. He further clarified the light poles would be 20 feet in height from grade level. Mr. Smith moved to approve the Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Site Plan/Building Materials, Landscaping, and Lighting for a 17,142 square foot building on Lots 3 and 4 of the Creek Bend Business Park to include the seven stipulations recommended by Mr. Schultz; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Fix voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.

D. Review and request for motion to approve Conditional Use Permit for a Drive-Thru for a 17,142 square foot building on Lots 3 and 4 of the Creek Bend Business Park. Mr. Schultz stated in August of this year this Commission approved a drive-thru on Lot 4. He stated the developer is now requesting the drive-thru on the northern portion of the building, and this request meets all of the conditional use requirements except for the queuing space. Mr. Schultz stated a single drive-thru requires a minimum of 154 feet and this has approximately 110 feet. Mr. Schultz stated staff believes this proposal is better than the original proposal and supports the request with the condition that the drive-thru have a restriction on the number of vehicles allowed per day or per hour as determined by the City engineer. He stated this would limit the tenant from being a fast food type drive-thru at any time in the future. Mr. Schultz stated he would like a number from Swan Cleaners and he will have our engineer come back with a firm number. Mr. Dennis Meacham stated he was representing the applicant and being as this would be a dry cleaning business there would be low intensity use of the drive-thru. Mr. Schultz stated staff supports the request for the conditional use with the restriction on the number of vehicles allowed per hour/day as determined by the City’s engineer. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit for a Drive-Thru with the stipulation that the developer work with staff and our engineer to provide the maximum number of trips allowed per hour/day; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Fix voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.

E. Review and request for motion to approve a Comprehensive Sign Plan for a 17,142 square foot building on Lots 3 and 4 of the Creek Bend Business Park. Mr. Schultz stated the owner was proposing building wall signs and a ground sign for Lots 3 and 4. He stated the building signs would be divided into gable signs and wall signs with all signage facing Clint Drive, and the ground sign would front S.R. 256. Mr. Schultz stated the gable sign area would be 3-feet high and 10-feet wide, for a total area of 30 square feet. There is a potential for eight wall signs, each being 3-feet high and 8-feet wide for a total of 24 square feet. Mr. Schultz stated the maximum vertical letter height shall be two feet with a minimum of one foot of void space on each side of the sign horizontally. He stated there shall be a minimum of six inches of void space above and below the sign vertically. The background is light blue with white letters and the letters shall be five inches in depth. Individual aluminum channel letters are to be painted white with white acrylic faces and white trim mounted to an eight inch deep aluminum cabinet painted blue with two inch white inline, and would be internally illuminated. Mr. Schultz stated the ground sign is proposed to be 9 feet high and 12 feet wide, with a sign area of approximately 50 square feet. The sign would be blue with white lettering and borders, there would be approximately 4 feet of stone from the bottom of the sign area to the ground and stone would extend up both sides to the radial portion of the sign. The sign would be internally illuminated and the sign cabinet would be 16 inches deep. Mr. Schultz stated the original intent of the Creek Bend Business Park was to have consistent sign colors, like the Cross Creeks Center. He stated the buildings on Lots 1 and 2 of the Creek Bend Business Park have a Comprehensive Sign Plan approved with the signs having a green background, white letters, and a cardinal red border. The developer is requesting signs with a light blue background with white letters and borders for Lots 3 and 4. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the Comprehensive Sign Plan conditional upon the sign colors being limited to white letters and a blue background and that the ground sign shall be located five feet from the property line and outside the site triangle. He further stated a sign permit is required for each tenant sign and footer inspection is required for the ground sign. Mr. Schultz stated the developer originally intended for all signs to be one color, however, he is now concerned they will look too much the same and you could not distinguish between buildings. Mr. Schultz stated the existing signs are PVC material and are not lighted, where these signs are individual letters. Mr. Schultz stated he felt this sign looks better than the ones there now. Mr. Meacham stated he was representing the applicant and he would answer any questions. Mr. Bosch clarified there were no grading issues for the ground sign. Mr. Schultz stated with regard to the criteria, he has listed six inches of void space above and below the sign vertically, and he felt three inches was appropriate after seeing the sign sample. He stated he felt that condition should be modified to three inches. Mr. Fix clarified this was more of a royal blue than a light blue. Mr. Nicholas stated he would like to clarify the sign and any materials to be used should be matte and not a glossy finish. He also clarified the stone going up the side of the sign would be as wide as the box as a minimum. Mr. Meacham stated the paint could be done in a matte finish, however, the letters are plastic and could not be made matte. Mr. Fix moved to approve the Comprehensive Sign Plan for Lots 3 and 4 of the Creek Bend Business Park with the understanding the sign colors will be limited to white letters with a royal blue background, with three inches of void space above and below the sign vertically, that the ground sign shall be located five feet from the property line and outside the site triangle, and that the stone on the ground sign will be as deep as the box of the sign as a minimum; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Fix, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.

4. REPORTS:

A. Planning and Zoning Director - Lance Schultz

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

B. FCRPC - Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated a zone change request was approved for 334 homes on 167 acres, which is two units per acre, just east of the Kroger on Refugee Road. He stated the development spans both sides of the road with the majority of the homes on the south side and the remaining on the north side. He stated he was not sure if this would go to Violet Township for rezoning this month or next month.

C. Violet Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update – Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated there would be a public meeting pertaining to this plan on Wednesday, October 27, 2004, in the Township Hall.

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 was still hoping to start addressing this issue sometime in the next few months.

C. City Council/Planning and Zoning Commission Growth Management Assessment Workshop – Tuesday, October 26, 2004, at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Schultz stated this will be a joint workshop with City Council and this Commission at the request of our consultant to discuss issues in and around Pickerington. The consultant will also provide a status report on the project.

Mr. Schultz stated Kohl’s has agreed to turn half of their lights in the parking lot off an hour after they close. Mr. Nicholas stated he has noticed they have been doing this.

Mr. Fix clarified the temporary sign at Cup O’Joe’s has been renewed for another 30 days. Mr. Schultz stated he had just received their permanent sign permit application today.

Mr. Schultz stated some of the sign issues in the old downtown area have been addressed and it appears we are moving forward.

Mr. Smith stated he has noticed that the sign at the new police facility does not have stone up the side, and he felt if the City requires everyone else to do that and then not do it ourselves, it does not look very good. Mr. Schultz stated he would pass this along to the Police Chief and City Manager.

Mr. Bosch stated he would like to know if the Commission would prefer to have Mr. Schultz give a summarized statement rather than read his entire report at the meeting. Mr. Nicholas stated he concurred with that as all of the Commission members read the reports prior to coming into the meeting. All of the Commission members concurred in this as well. Mr. Schultz stated that would be fine with him.

6. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Nicholas moved to adjourn; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Mr. Smith, Mr. Fix, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Kramer voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 6-0. The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 9:10 P.M., October 12, 2004.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

___________________________ ___________________________

Lynda D. Yartin Lance A. Schultz

Municipal Clerk Director, Planning and Zoning