CITY OF PICKERINGTON

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2003

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

7:30 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. England called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. England, and Mr. Maxey were present. Mayor Postage was absent. Others present were: Councilman Bill Wright, Lance Schultz, Lynda Yartin, Bob Mapes, Mike Eckholt, Kathy Rohrer, Darrel Rohrer, Jeff Dalrymple, James Strausbaugh, Brian Burd, Shane Chandler, Gary Schottenstein, Brett Kaufman, Chad Shirer, and others.

2. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF February 11, 2003, Public Hearing regarding rezoning of 78 West Columbus Street for The Design Team. Mr. Bosch moved to approve; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. England voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 5-0.

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF February 11, 2003, Regular Meeting. Mr. Bosch moved to approve; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion. Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Maxey, Mr. England, and Mr. Smith voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 5-0.

3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:

A. Review and request for motion to approve the rezoning of 28.548+/- acres from AG (Rural District) to R-4 (Residential District) for a single-family development located north of Long Road and south of the railroad tracks and just west of the proposed Long Estates Subdivision for Rockford Homes (Woodward property). (TABLED, 11-12-02)

B. Review and request for motion to approve Olde Pickerington Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for signage for Pickerington Heating and Cooling at 22 North Center Street. (TABLED, 11-12-02)

C. Review and request for motion to approve a final development plan for Long Estates Phase II a single-family development on approximately 79.89 acres for William Lane located north of Long Road and south of the railroad tracks (Lane property). (TABLED, 11-12-02)

D. Review and request for motion to approve Conditional Use Permit for Cottman Transmission at 860 Refugee Road. Mr. Schultz stated this Commission approved a Conditional Use in January of this year, however, that was for a stand alone building. Mr. Schultz stated they are now requesting an expansion of the Below Clearance and Auto Zone building. He stated this would add approximately 10,000 square feet to the building and it would house Cottman Transmission and a 6,100 square foot tenant space that would remain vacant at this time. He stated two curb cuts would access the site from Refugee Road, and parking spaces would be shared. He stated storm water would likely be detained in the parking lot. Mr. Schultz stated there are five requirements that need to be met for a Conditional Use approval and the applicant does meet those requirements. Mr. Schultz stated further the land use is compatible with other automotive related uses in this area. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the Conditional Use Permit contingent upon the proposed building meeting all zoning requirements and the commercial design guidelines. Mr. Bosch clarified this was for the Conditional Use Permit only. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve the request for a Conditional Use Permit for Cottman Transmission; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Maxey, Mr. England, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Nicholas voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-0.

E Review and request for motion to approve Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for building materials for Cottman Transmission at 860 Refugee Road. (TABLED, 1/14/03) Mr. Bosch moved to remove from the Table; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Maxey, Mr. England, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-0. Mr. Schultz stated the site plan appears to meet all the parking setback requirements except for along the east property line. He stated the zoning code requires a 15 foot parking setback adjacent to commercial uses and parking may occupy 40 percent or 6 feet of the side yard setback, thus requiring a 9 foot side yard setback. He stated the applicant was proposing a 5 foot parking setback along the eastern property line. Mr. Schultz stated compliance can be achieved by relocating the parking lot to meet the minimum zoning standards or requesting a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. He stated the front elevation would be the extension of the Auto Zone and Below Clearance facade and brick would comprise the initial 10 feet of the building. He stated limestone drivit would comprise the remaining 7 feet of the elevation. Mr. Schultz further stated a new entrance canopy with a pitched roof facade with limestone drivit above the entrance to the future tenant would match the entrance to the Auto Zone and Below Clearance. Mr. Schultz further stated the entrance would have typical aluminum storefront windows and doors. Mr. Schultz stated the elevation of Cottman Transmission would have five windows that would be divided into muttons and mullions. Mr. Schultz stated the east elevation would have brick along the initial 30 feet and metal wall panels along the remaining 95 feet of elevation. Mr. Schultz stated the Commercial Design Guidelines require commercial buildings to be comprised mostly of brick, and the east elevation would be highly visible from Refugee Road. He stated six overhead doors would be located along this elevation. Mr. Schultz stated on the north elevation the owner was proposing metal wall panels along the entire elevation. Mr. Schultz stated brick is required, however, the Auto Zone and Below Clearance building was approved with metal wall panels and this elevation would not be visible from any major roadway. Mr. Schultz stated the roof would be a flat metal roof to match the existing building and the roof of the canopy above the new entrance would be comprised of asphalt shingles also to match the existing building. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the certificate of appropriateness for building materials contingent upon the parking setback along the eastern property line be 9 feet, the east elevation of Cottman Transmission be constructed of brick, the color of the brick and the color of the roof match the existing building, and the windows along the Cottman Transmission frontage be divided into smaller sections with muttons and mullions. He stated further Certificates of Appropriateness for landscaping, signage, and lighting will be required. Mr. Bosch clarified this extension would basically match the existing building. Mr. Schultz stated this Commission had previously approved a site plan for Cottman Transmission, however, that was for a stand alone building. He stated the approval of that site plan should be rescinded since that request has now been amended. Mr. Maxey moved to approve the Commercial Design Guidelines Certificate of Appropriateness for building materials for Cottman Transmission contingent upon meeting staff’s recommendations and to rescind this Commission’s previous approval of the building location on the site plan; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Mr. Smith ascertained the applicant would relocate the parking to meet the zoning requirements. Roll call was taken with Mr. Nicholas, Mr. England, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-0.

F. Review and request for motion to approve a Conditional Use Permit for a garage at 321 East Columbus Street (Shirer property). Mr. Schultz stated the applicant is proposing to construct a 768 square foot detached garage at the rear of the property, and it would have access from the existing drive that would be extended. Mr. Schultz stated the garage would meet all the setback requirements, however, in an R-2 district the maximum size for garage area is 960 square feet. He stated there is presently a 480 square foot attached garage, and therefore, the applicant is over the allowable area by 288 square feet. Mr. Schultz stated the Board of Zoning Appeals would have to approve a variance for the larger size garage area. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the Conditional Use Permit if the Board of Zoning Appeals approves a variance for the additional garage area over 960 square feet. Mr. Schultz stated the applicant’s lot is over one acre in size. Mr. Bosch clarified the adjacent neighbor’s would be contacted should the applicant apply for a variance with the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Nicholas clarified the building materials of the detached garage would match the house, and that is stucco. Mr. Nicholas moved to approve contingent upon the applicant receiving a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Smith, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. England voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-0.

G. Review and request for motion to approve Conditional Use Permit for Eastside Vineyard Church at 333 Jericho Road. Mr. Schultz stated the owners propose to expand the church from 5,120 square feet to 21,200 square feet, which will include a sanctuary (multi-purpose facility), and new classrooms. He stated the church is providing 214 parking spaces while 133 spaces are required. Mr. Schultz continued three curb cuts from Jericho road would provide access to the parking lot, and in addition, the owner is requesting a 25 foot by 50 foot picnic shelter in the rear of the property just east of the small creek. Mr. Schultz stated the site currently has access to S.R. 256 through Jericho Road and this access would remain the same, however, traffic would likely increase due to the expansion. He stated the City is pursuing an access point to Courtright Road for the church, and the church would be responsible for the cost of the second access point. Mr. Schultz stated the expansion of the existing church is compatible with the surrounding land uses and staff supports the conditional use permit contingent upon the building meeting all zoning requirements and the commercial design guidelines, and, that if the City secures an access point to Courtright Road that the church provide access per the City Engineer’s standards at the expense of the church. He stated Certificates of Appropriateness for building/site plan, landscaping, signage, and lighting are required. Mr. Maxey moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit contingent upon all of staff’s recommendations being met; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Smith, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. England, Mr. Bosch, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-0.

H. Review and request for motion to approve Commercial Design Guidelines Certificates of Appropriateness for building materials, landscaping, and lighting for Eastside Vineyard Church at 333 Jericho Road. Mr. Schultz stated the site plan meets all the parking setbacks and there appears to be appropriate area for perimeter and interior landscaping. He stated the sanctuary addition would front S.R. 256 and would be 37 feet high at the apex of the pitched roof. The façade would be comprised of split face block containing three pastel colors. The lower level of the sanctuary would be ivory and match the existing building, the upper level of the sanctuary would be a buff color, and a third color, russet, would accent the building including the columns and a one-story structure on the north side of the elevation. He further stated the east, or rear elevation, would remain the same except for the sanctuary extending above the existing building. The north elevation would be comprised of the sanctuary and the new classroom. The sanctuary would be comprised of buff colored split face block with a russet accent row with a pitched roof, the new classroom would be comprised of a desert colored vinyl siding, and there would be four windows with muttons and mullions along the elevation. The roof of the sanctuary and new classroom would be pitched with brown and asphalt shingles. Mr. Schultz stated the detached shelter (picnic area) would be constructed of vinyl siding to match the church siding, the pitched roof would have asphalt shingles to match the church roof, wood posts would support the shelter, and a 14 foot by 25 foot storage shed with a garage door to store lawn equipment, etc., would be located on the north end of the shelter. Mr. Schultz stated the split face block does not meet the requirements of the Commercial Design Guidelines, however, because this is an expansion and the majority of the existing building is constructed of split face block an exception can be acceptable if designed creatively. He stated this Commission has, in the past, been more lenient on existing buildings that expand and do not meet the exact requirements of the Commercial Design Guidelines. Mr. Schultz stated perimeter buffering is required to the northeast and east and the owner is proposing a 4 foot high mound with staggered pine trees 15 feet on center. He stated the proposed mounding does meet the city’s buffering requirements, however, the City Arborist indicated that the proposed Hemlock trees do not typically grow well in urban settings and suggests another type of tree. Mr. Schultz stated the owner is proposing several parking islands that appear to meet the zoning requirements and there will be at least one tree planted in each parking island. He stated the City Arborist indicated a few of the parking islands might not be wide enough to support the proposed red maples and he recommended Green Ash trees for those locations. Mr. Schultz stated the owner is proposing 13 light poles throughout the parking lot that are 20 feet in height. The lights appear to be standard box style lights and the city requires total cut-off type lights. He continued the three light poles adjacent to the proposed subdivision are oriented toward the parking lot and have house side shields. The illumination at property lines appear to be zero foot candles, which exceeds our requirements. Mr. Schultz stated staff recommended approval of the Commercial Design Guidelines Certificates of Appropriateness for building materials, landscaping, and lighting provided the split face block and vinyl siding on the building expansion and shelter match the colors of the existing building or are as depicted on the submitted plans, the roof shingles on the building expansion and shelter match the roof shingles of the existing building, the landscaping materials shall be installed as shown on the submitted plans, the light poles shall be total cut-foot type and be installed as shown on the submitted plans, and that the recommendations of the City Arborist be followed. He stated further a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage is required because the existing sign does not meet the City’s standards. Mr. Maxey moved to approve the Commercial Design Guidelines Certificates of Appropriateness for building materials, landscaping, and lighting for Eastside Vineyard Church with the conditions listed by Mr. Schultz being met; Mr. Nicholas seconded the motion. Mr. Wright inquired if the parking lot is shared with the apartments and Mr. Schultz stated he could not find any documentation that it was shared, but he believed it was. Mr. Maxey clarified the Church used to own the apartments and the parking lot was shared at that point, and they are still currently sharing the parking lot. Mr. Schultz clarified the 144 parking spaces on the site plan are not included in the shared parking lot. Mr. Nicholas stated he thought this expansion was a good thing. Mr. Bosch clarified Mr. Maxey’s motion included the changes recommended by the City Arborist. Roll call was taken with Mr. Smith, Mr. Bosch, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Nicholas, and Mr. England voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-0.

I. Review and request for a Comprehensive Sign Plan and Certificate of Appropriateness for signage for Pickerington Ridge Apartments. Mr. Schultz stated these apartments are located just east of the new police station and the applicant is proposing one ground sign and one pole sign. He stated the ground sign would be located just east of Fuller’s Way, fronting Refugee Road, and would be approximately 12 feet wide by 5.75 feet high for a total of 69 square feet. Mr. Schultz stated there is approximately three feet of brick from both ends of the sign horizontally, there would be approximately 20 inches of brick from the ground to the bottom of the sign area, and the sign would be comprised of high-density urethane, with white letters and a green background. He stated two lights would be located at the top of each column for illumination. Mr. Schultz stated there are some potential site plan issues with this sign as it would be located on an approximately 4 foot high mound fronting on Refugee Road, and the height of the sign would be 10 feet high in relation to Refugee Road. Mr. Schultz stated according to the engineer’s estimate, the possible future widening of Refugee Road would result in the lowering of the road approximately two feet, and the sign would then be about 12 feet high in relation to Refugee Road. Mr. Schultz further stated the width of the proposed sign is more than is typically permitted. Mr. Schultz continued it was his concern that the size and scale of the sign be carefully analyzed because the sign will probably set a precedent for other signs in this area. Mr. Schultz stated the pole sign would be located just north of the second entrance on Fuller’s Way, would be almost ten feet high and be comprised of cedar post. The sign would be approximately two feet high and four feet wide and made of high density urethane. Mr. Schultz stated pole signs are not permitted per the zoning code, but have been permitted at some locations in the old downtown area. Mr. Schultz stated staff supported the Comprehensive Sign Plan and Certificate of Appropriateness for signage with the conditions that the ground sign be located five feet from the right-of-way and outside the site triangle and that the width of the ground sign structure be reduced to be consistent with other signs in the City. Mr. Schultz stated sign permits are required for the ground sign, and ground signs require footer inspection from the building department. Mr. Bosch stated with regard to the pole sign, the old downtown area has a unique character and the pole signs are unique to that area, and he felt pole signs should not be allowed in other areas. Mr. Bosch stated if the ground sign will be on the mound he would recommend the width of the sign be limited to where the columns are on the rendering and then move the concrete cap that is further to the side to abut up to the top of the Pickerington Ridge sign itself so you have a smooth flowing sign that comes down to basically the brick and a half width, carried straight down. He stated he felt the concrete cap at the bottom is a nice detail and should be included. Mr. Schottenstein, the applicant, stated he felt they would have no problem amending their sign to those recommendations. Mr. Bosch clarified the widening of Refugee Road is planned for some time in the future, but there is no definite time set to do that. Mr. Bosch further clarified the applicant will work with Mr. Schultz on the location of the ground sign. Mr. Schottenstein stated they were proposing the pole sign for the entryway so cars coming in would not have a blind spot. He stated they could easily change that and have a sign that is low to the ground. Mr. Bosch stated as he understood it, Mr. Schottenstein was referring to something similar to the interior signs at CrossCreeks. Mr. Schultz stated that was his understanding. Mr. Bosch moved to approve the Comprehensive Sign Plan and Certificate of Appropriateness for signage based on the recommendations of this Commission; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion. Mr. Mapes clarified the Commission was requesting the directional sign be made to look like the ones on the interior roads in CrossCreeks. Mr. Smith clarified the interior signs do not have brick up the sides, and Mr. Wright questioned why they didn’t. Mr. Mapes stated brick was not required as the signs were internal signs identifying entrances. Mr. Schultz further stated in some places there was not enough room to have the brick. Mr. Wright stated he felt if it was a separate entrance that was exclusive to a certain area, it should be similar to the main entrance sign in design and include the brick. Mr. Schultz clarified that the sign as requested by this Commission eliminated the lights on the top, and ground lights could be placed on each side to illuminate the sign. Roll call was taken with Mr. Bosch, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Maxey, Mr. England, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-0.

4. REPORTS:

A. Planning and Zoning Director - Lance Schultz

(1) BZA Report. Mr. Schultz stated the Board did not meet in February and it did not appear they would meet in March.

B. FCRPC - Lance Schultz. Mr. Schultz stated the Commission reviewed five items in Violet Township. He stated Spring Creek final plat, Section 1, was extended; Winding Creek, Section 4 final plat with 9 lots was approved; Sycamore Creek Church final plat was approved; Pickerington High School final plat and variances were approved; and, Sycamore Plaza, which is Krogers, was approved.

5. OTHER BUSINESS: No other business was brought forward.

A. Tree Commission. No report.

6. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Maxey moved to adjourn; Mr. Bosch seconded the motion. Mr. Bosch, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Smith, Mr. England, and Mr. Nicholas voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 5-0. The Planning and Zoning Commission adjourned at 8:15 P.M., March 11, 2003.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

___________________________ ______________________________

Lynda D. Yartin Lance A. Schultz

Municipal Clerk Director, Planning and Zoning