PLANNING COMMISSION

DESIGN REVIEW

MINUTES OF MEETING OF MAY 12, 2004

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Alan Seymour, John Cunningham, Pete Griffin, Ken Kraus, and Don Bergwall.  Bruce Limes was absent.  There is one vacancy.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Mayor Tom Kruse, Steve Falor, Robert Montgomery, Stanley Corl and Barb McCoy

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Discussion with Mayor

 

Mayor Tom Kruse was present to discuss long-range goals for the City with the following highlights:

 

·  Economic development action plan being reviewed with attorneys Smith & Hale and Bricker & Eckler

·  Establish community authority – able to do by ordinance for any new residential and annexation areas that will be run by a board.  Will have higher property taxes for additional funding to support new infrastructure in those new developments

·  Industrial/commercial development is priority

·  Residential development doesn’t need encouragement – they are already coming because there is a market for residential

·  Will not be moratorium

·  Need to treat developers with respect, trying to move projects at some reasonable pace

·  Give developers impression we want them here and they can make profit here

·  Do not project hostile environment

·  Don’t need to compromise City’s standards that have been set

·  Planning Commission is independent board – it has a specific job to do

·  Concerned about Shade Tree Commission – would like to combine with Planning Commission/Design Review Board for “one stop shop”.

·  Not sympathetic with zoning changes – should follow Union County Economic Development Plan

 

Mr. Seymour stated Commission doesn’t want to project negativity but Planning Commission is required to follow Planning Code.

 

Mr. Bergwall commented City needs a project coordinator to help developers run through the subdivision process smoothly.  Mayor responded it’s split among himself, City Engineer, Economic Developer Eric Phillips and Zoning Inspector Barb McCoy.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Kraus to amend agenda to approve Minutes of Meeting, moving agenda items 4 and 5 to the top, then #2 and discuss tabling item #3.  Voice vote was unanimous.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

The minutes from the meeting of April 14, 2004, were approved as presented.

 

Mini-Storage Buildings – 679 Clymer Rd., Filed by Bob Montgomery

 

Mr. Montgomery reviewed plans for the mini-storage project with the following noted:

 

·        Landscape plan to be reviewed by Shade Tree Commission on May 19

·        No curbs will be constructed

·        No sidewalks required

·        Due to large number of existing metal structures, this facility is keeping with the theme of the area

·        Storm water plan has been approved by City engineer

·        Will be fully paved within 2 years

·        All site work, all concrete pads to be constructed first

·        To build two buildings first

·        Will construct the remaining units depending on economics

·        All steel, manufactured buildings

·        Can change roof color to lighter than the brown

·        Lights will be attached to buildings

·        Need to build as economical as possible to make them marketable at the lower end of cost spectrum

 

Discussion held concerning curbs.  Neighborhood dictates no curbing being used with nature of business.  Intention of ordinance is for buildings to be harmonious with existing area.

 

Code 1144.10(a)(4) states “Building materials shall be of high quality and durability, and architectural features should be used to create visual interest and usability of the commercial or office buildings. Building facades shall be constructed with one or more of the following materials: solid wood, glass, brick, stone, stucco, decorative block or contemporary durable materials, with minimal use of vinyl, decorative aluminum or metal siding. The use of a combination of stone, brick or stucco and wood are encouraged. At least 40% of the facades of new commercial or office buildings should be constructed of a decorative stone, brick or stucco material…”  Discussion held concerning façade material.  Suggestion made to not have front façade have doors and placing wood or other decorative durable material in place of the metal on the front façade of the buildings.  It was agreed that because of doors breaking the flat surface, the building does not need any additional uninterrupted length of any façade due to the nature of building and business and surrounding area in which the project is located.

 

Mr. Kraus made a motion to approve the design review for the mini-storage units to be located at 679 Clymer Road with the f following conditions:

 

Ø     Material on front façade to be in accordance with Design Review Section 1144.10(a)(4)

Ø     Paving to be completed within two years

Ø     Shade Tree Commission to approve landscape plan

Ø     If fence is installed at later date, must comply with Section 1141(b) 6

Ø     Storm drainage to be approved by City Engineer

 

The question put, stood:

 

Mr. Seymour Yes   Mr. Cunningham Yes   Mr. Bergwall Yes   Mr. Kraus Yes   Mr. Griffin Yes

 

The design review for 679 Clymer Road is approved according to the drawings received in City offices on April 21, 2004, with the above conditions.

 

Sumitomo Research Facility – 16960 Square Drive.  Filed by Ferguson Construction Company

 

Stan Corl discussed the future project with the following noted:

 

·        New building will tie together with existing building

·        12,462 sq. ft. structure – office use, research area for 40-50 engineers

·        Existing sewer lines in middle of property and current setback made it necessary to buy over two acres

·        Sumitomo is major supplier to Honda

·        Lot will have 61 parking spaces Detention designed to meet MORPC standards and will be approved by City engineer

·        Landscape plan to be reviewed by Shade Tree Commission on May 19

·        Building material is pre-engineered material with split face concrete block masonry features

·        To be natural gray color with contrasting blue to match existing building across street

·        EIFS system is acrylic polymer based stucco material

·        Exterior lighting will be typical exterior wall mount – 8 lights – white to match building

·        Trash enclosure to be cedar – 6’ high

·        Sign will be ground mount sign that will meet all City sign regulations

·        Sidewalks will be installed

·        Sidewalks and curbs to confirm to City specs

 

Mr. Cunningham made a motion to approve the design for this project with the following conditions:

 

·        Landscape plan to be approved by Shade Tree Commission

 

The question put, stood:

 

Mr. Cunningham Yes   Mr. Bergwall Yes   Mr. Kraus Yes   Mr. Griffin Yes   Mr. Seymour Yes 

 

The design review for Sumitomo is approved according to the drawings received in City offices on April 20, 2004, with the above conditions.

 

4-Unit Apartment Building – 701 Kenny Lane.  Filed by Stephen Andrews, Andrews Architects, Inc.

 

Mrs. McCoy reported the applicant had called once again requesting this item be tabled until the next regularly schedule design review meeting.  Discussion held by Commission members with the consensus this agenda item is not complete or accurate due to some miscalculations on the site plan.  Unclear exactly where lot is located.  Need to be assured there is adequate parking and room for access drive.  Mr. Cunningham made a motion to return to staff to return to applicant due to incompleteness and inaccuracies of the site plan. The question put, stood:

 

Mr. Bergwall  Yes    Mr. Kraus Yes      Mr. Griffin  Yes      Mr. Seymour Yes     Mr. Cunningham  Yes

 

REVIEW OF CHANGES TO PLANNING CODE TO CORRECT CONFLICTING ORDINANCES

 

Mr. Kraus suggested revising all fees in the Planning and Zoning Code to reference the fee schedule in Chapter 1100.   Barb McCoy to review the entire section and submit for the May 25th special Planning Commission meeting.

 

MISCELLENEOUS

 

Discussion held concerning having the Design Review Board to be five members from the Planning Commission with three needed for a quorum.  Agreed to wait a few months for further discussion in order for the Commission to get a better feel on how the Design Review Board will progress.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.