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. Smith, Mr. Blake, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. O’Brien were present. Mr. Fix was absent. Others present were: Lance Schultz, Lynda Yartin, Woody Winfree, Suzanne Breman, Angie Mounts, David Percy, and others.

2. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of November 9, 2004, Public Hearing regarding zone change for NOCA Retail Development, Ltd. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Blake, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Kramer voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 6-0.

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of November 9, 2004, Public Hearing regarding zone change for Sycamore Creek Community Church at 8110 Refugee Road. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Blake voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 6-0.

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of November 9, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. There being no discussion, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Smith, and Mr. O’Brien 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 for office buildings at 692 Hill Road North for Winfree & Associates, Ltd. Mr. Schultz stated this Commission approved the site plan and building materials for Phase II of this development, and they are now coming forward with landscaping. Mr. Schultz stated per the Tree Preservation ordinance, the owner will be required to install 17 new trees on the site. He further stated we are requesting a one to three foot high mound where possible based on the grading plan and where feasible. Mr. Schultz stated the owner is proposing a six-foot high wooden shadow box fence along the length of the northern property line along with 29 Norway Spruce trees that would be five to six feet high at installation. Mr. Schultz stated the trees would be adjacent to the residences with the fence closer to the parking lot. He further stated staff supports the Landscaping Certificate of Appropriateness on the conditions that a one to three foot high mound be installed along S.R. 256 where possible, that the 29 Norway Spruce trees installed along the northern property line be five to six feet high at installation, and that the Norway Spruce trees installed along the northern property line shall separate the residences and the proposed shadow box fence. Mr. Winfree stated he was present to answer any questions the Commission may have. Mr. O’Brien stated the site plan the Commission received shows the trees being planted on the other side of the fence. Mr. Schultz stated that was correct, and the City would need a site plan that reflects the fence being closest to the parking lot. Mr. Winfree stated he would provide that. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping contingent upon the developer meeting all of the conditions set forth by Mr. Schultz; Mr. Kramer seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Kramer, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. Blake voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.

B. Review and request for motion to approve Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping for ReMax Office Building at 10400 Blacklick Eastern Road. Mr. Schultz stated the building is currently under construction. He stated in accordance with the Tree Preservation ordinance the owner has removed 23 trees on the site and that requires 23 trees be replaced. He stated further the developer is proposing a three to five foot mound along S.R. 204, and there will be two maple trees and three flowerbeds along the frontage. He continued the owner is preserving 15 large pine trees along the eastern perimeter of the site adjacent to the residential subdivision, however, the trees are located on a mound at least two feet above the parking lot elevation. Mr. Schultz stated there is a gap between the two stands of pine trees and they are proposing three seven to eight foot high pine trees to be installed in the opening. Mr. Schultz stated further staff is requesting that 14 new pine trees, five to six feet high, be installed, staggered with the existing trees, to provide a buffer six feet and below. He stated he felt that would meet our Type A buffer requirements. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping contingent upon the existing 15 trees along the eastern perimeter of the site being preserved, the red maple on the eastern perimeter of the site be replaced per the Tree Preservation ordinance requirements or have the original grade restored around its roots, that 3 pine trees that are 7-8 feet in height at installation be located in the open space between the existing trees along the eastern perimeter of the site, and, that 9 pine trees north of the opening and 5 pine trees south of the opening on the eastern perimeter of the site be installed. He stated the pine trees shall be 5-6 feet in height at installation and be located a minimum of 15 feet west of the existing trees. Mr. David Percy stated he was present representing the applicant and he had some questions he would like answered. Mr. Percy stated some of the existing trees have boughs that go to the ground, however, some have been trimmed up several feet. He stated the boughs were not removed by them, and he felt they were being asked to replace trees that someone else has taken the limbs off of. He stated his question was, if the limbs continue to be removed would they be required to keep rescreening it every few years. Mr. Schultz stated he had not been informed of any trees being trimmed. Mr. Schultz stated he was at the site with the City’s Arborist, and the City’s Type A Buffer requires a zero to six foot opaque buffer. He stated if the small trees are placed between the large trees you would have some kind of opaqueness in a few years. Mr. Schultz stated he did not know who had trimmed the trees as they were on the developer’s property. Mr. Percy stated that was his question, if someone continues to trim the trees, will they be required to continually replace them. There was also a question about the 15 foot from the existing tree line requirement. Mr. Schultz stated our arborist had recommended the 15 foot distance, and Mr. Percy clarified the minimum requirement between the new building and the lot line was 25 feet, and that meant the trees would be planted 10 feet away from a future building. Mr. Percy stated if it grew ten feet it would be touching the building and that might be a little tight. Mr. Schultz stated if they met with our arborist perhaps the distance could be looked at. Mr. Percy further clarified the signage was not on the agenda for discussion this evening. Mr. Schultz stated that would be on the agenda for next month. Mr. O’Brien stated perhaps Mr. Percy would like to take the time to meet with our arborist and this issue could be considered next month along with the signage. Mr. Percy stated his concern was the weather and they would like to get a base in for the sign before next month. Mr. Schultz stated Planning and Zoning Commission has to approve the size and location of the sign and he did not receive that information as yet. Mr. Smith stated he agreed with Mr. O’Brien and if the applicant could meet with the arborist between now and the next meeting, it could all be dealt with at that time. Mr. O’Brien clarified the applicant would also like a written legal opinion as to their responsibilities regarding replacing the trees that have been damaged by other parties, and also a written opinion regarding the grading and the exact distance that would be permitted for planting the additional trees. Mr. O’Brien moved to Table the Certificate of Appropriateness for Landscaping; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Blake, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Kramer, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0. (TABLED)

4. REPORTS:

A. Planning and Zoning Director - Lance Schultz

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

B. FCRPC - Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated he was unable to attend the last meeting, however, all of the agenda items were approved, none of which were in Violet Township.

C. Violet Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update – Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated he was unsure of the status at this time.

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, and he had received information from other communities that he was researching to see if we can use in our area.

Mr. Schultz stated at the last meeting the Commission approved the Phase II building, which is in the rear of the site, of the Winfree & Associates development and the site plan for the entire site. Mr. Schultz stated he did not think the Commission had officially approved the building that is out front, and Mr. Winfree has indicated it will be the same building. Mr. Bosch clarified the Commission had approved the site plan and the building materials for the back building. Mr. Schultz stated that was correct and the front building will be the same building as approved for the rear of the site. The Commission reviewed the motion as stated in the minutes from the last meeting and determined both buildings were included in that motion.

6. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Nicholas moved to adjourn; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. Mr. Smith, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Kramer voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 6-0. The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 8:00 P.M., December 14, 2004.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

___________________________ ___________________________

Lynda D. Yartin Lance A. Schultz

Municipal Clerk Director, Planning and Zoning