January 7, 2008 - No Meeting held
February 4, 2008 - No meeting held
March 3, 2008 Meeting Minutes
The Planning Commission Meeting was called to order
at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman, Tom Lytle. Members
present were James Page, Angie Kuhn, and Jack Witte.
Allen Kuck was absent. Others
present were: Steve Gillenwater,
Greg Feller and Ray Wood (arriving late), representing Whitehouse Square,
Barbara Knisely, Robert Werner, Michelle Tippie, Maridee Curry, Debby Curry,
Nick Kuharchek, Steve Bell, Russ Adkins, Bill May, Mindy Curry-Masales, James
Grove, Jim Miller and Dennis Recker, Whitehouse Village Administrator.
As this was the first meeting of 2008, the Commission
members elected officers for the year. Jack
Witte moved to nominate Tom Lytle as Chairman, Jim Page as Vice-Chair and he
agreed to continue serving as Secretary. These
nominations were seconded by Jim Page. Nominations
were closed and the nominees were approved by a vote of 4-0.
Jack Witte moved to approve the October 1, 2007,
Minutes. Jim Page seconded the
Motion. Minutes of October 1, 2007,
were approved 4-0.
The first order of business was a preliminary
discussion of the Whitehouse Square site plan.
Chairman Lytle recognized Steve Gillenwater and Greg Feller representing
JCT Enterprises who provided an overview of their request.
Greg Feller, consulting engineer for the site plan proposal provided
details behind the items that were changed from the existing TND as previously
approved. The site consists of
approximately 50 acres of JCT property. This
site plan does not apply to the other two thirds of the TND.
The plan is segmented into 5 areas. Among
the most significant change was the Senior Housing Village.
This senior rental/with purchase option subdivision has been reduced from
two phases requiring 14 acres to a single phase on 7.9 acres.
A 14.2 acre section identified as Area 4 previously contained the second
phase of the Senior Village and a 12 acre special use area designated as the
site for the Cedar Creek Church. Mr.
Feller stated the Church would be moved north to an 8.9 acre section previously
shown as C-3 Commercial. The vacated
14.2 acre parcel identified as Area 4 is being marketed to potential assisted
living providers (unnamed).
Mr. Feller stated that the commercial square footage
area would be increased elsewhere in the plan.
The Administrator informed the JCT representatives
that the Church is a special use site and moving it constitutes a zoning map
amendment which would have to be approved through a public hearing process
before the Planning Commission and Council.
Mr. Feller indicated their understanding of and agreement to this
requirement. Mr. Feller explained
that the east/west roadway would not have to be built to accommodate the Church
development but that the road would be constructed as needed to support Area 4
and Area 5 development.
Chairman Lytle then went through the considerations
identified on Staff Report #2008-01. Beginning
with Item 6.a., the plan shows a 50’ private access easement crossing Area 1
east/west. The Village prefers this
private access easement be planned as a 66’ public roadway.
The plan shows a 60’ public right-of-way in the east/west road between
Area 4 and Area 3. Mr. Feller
indicated this would be corrected to show a 66’ road right-of-way.
The Administrator pointed out that storm and sanitary
sewer utilities have been constructed in Area 3 where the Church is proposed.
This was the old Lincoln Drive right-of-way.
Mr. Feller acknowledged that some of this utility network may be used but
that all other unused existing utilities in the Lincoln Drive right-of-way would
be properly abandoned. The
Administrator asked how and by whom the private access areas would be
maintained. Mr. Feller indicated
that a Private Business Association or Resident/Home Owners Association would be
formed to ensure perpetual care and maintenance of non-public common areas,
roads, and privately held open areas. The
Developer’s representatives were reminded that the site plan, when brought
back for preliminary approval, would have to have all the land features of the
area (Blue Creek) shown along with items required in Section 1241.06 of the Code
Enforcement Chapter.
Mr. Witte indicated that the TND concept is very
flexible and that underlying zoning areas can be moved.
Steve Gillenwater indicated that the Cedar Creek Church hoped to be in
their facility by Easter of 2009, and that could be done using existing
roadways.
The Chairperson reiterated that this was a
preliminary discussion only and thanked Mr. Gillenwater, Mr. Feller and Mr. Wood
for their participation. It was
determined that a Public Hearing on the Zoning Map Amendment and a preliminary
site plan review approval would be scheduled before the Planning Commission and
Council.
Next the Planning Commission reviewed proposed
language amending Section 1004.03 of the Zoning Code, which would regulate
placement of fire wood on residential property.
The Planning Commission Members reviewed the proposed
language and eliminated side yards from enforcement, removed the specific
elevation standard as to inches but left the requirement to elevate the wood
piles off the ground. The Commission
simplified the dimension standards so as to not exceed 160 square feet of (wood
pile) area. The Commission
eliminated language prohibiting use of wood piles as fencing.
The Administrator recommended the revised policy be placed on the Village
web site and posted at the Village’s normal public places for citizen review
and comment. These comments would be
reviewed and the issue would be brought back to the Planning Commission along
with the summarized public input for final recommendations.
With no further business before the Commission, Jim Page moved to adjourn. Jack Witte seconded the Motion. Motion to adjourn passed 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
April 7, 2008 - No meeting held
May 5, 2008 - No meeting held
June 2, 2008 Meeting Minutes
The Planning Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman, Tom Lytle. Members present were James Page, and Jack Witte, Mayor Angela Kuhn arrived at 7:03 p.m. Allen Kuck was absent. Others present were: Rob Casaletta, Maridee Curry, Debby Curry, Karen Schneider, Josh Torres, Matt Billings, Barbara Knisely and Administrator Dennis Recker.
The Chairman asked the Committee if the Minutes met with their approval. Jim Page moved to approve the March 3, 2008, Minutes. Seconded by Jack Witte. Motion passed 4-0.
The Chairman then introduced the only business item for the meeting which was the Planning Commission's review and revision of Chapter 1259 of the Village Zoning regulations titled "Signs". It was decided that the review would be conducted in a line by line comprehensive manner.
The Commission added a "grandfather clause" to Section 1259.02 as item "E". "All nonconforming permanent signs existing at the time this regulation is adopted shall be permitted until such time as the business entity which created or commissioned the sign ceases to operate, transfers ownership, or substantially changes the primary use of the business, building, or property on which the sign is located".
Other proposed modifications to the regulation are listed below:
Section 1259.03 (2) becomes 1259.03 (5) and was simplified as follows, first sentence of current paragraph deleted and new language inserted: "If the sign is composed of one (1) or more individual business signs in one structure,".
Section 1259.03 (7), was added to read: "Signs can be of any geometric shape".
Section 1259.04 (A) becomes 1259.05 (A): "Exceptions" are identified up front as follows: "except for multiple family dwelling facilities, approved special use facilities and subdivision entrance signs".
Section 1259.04, now 1259.05 is further modified as follows: Current sections B, C, and E are deleted. Section D is to be included in 1259.05 (B) as follows: "The rules concerning area and location as stated above shall be applied for signage permits requested for multiple family/apartment dwellings, special use facilities, and subdivision entrance signs in any "A", "S" or "R" district.
Section 1259.05 becomes 1259.06 "Commercial Districts":
A. Add "No freestanding signs are allowed in a public right of way".
B. "Size" is deleted here and placed in 1259.03 (Area" (A)(6):
a. The total signage area on an external wall abutting a street shall not exceed two square feet of signage area per lineal foot of such wall at the ground floor level.
b. The length of any wall sign, or combinations of wall signs, shall not exceed two-thirds of the length of the wall upon which the sign or signs are placed.
c. Where frontage is located on one (1) or more streets or alleys, only the sign computed with frontage on an abutting street or alley shall face that street or alley.
Additional discussion was held regarding section 1259.05 "Commercial Districts" and due to its importance more review will be made.
The remaining sections are being researched by staff to prepare language for review by the Planning Commission at their next work meeting scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
The Chairman called a halt to work at 9:00 p.m. and Jack Witte moved to adjourn. Jim Page provided a second to the motion which passed 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
June 16, 2008 Meeting Minutes
The Planning Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman, Tom Lytle. Members present were James Page, Mayor Angela Kuhn, Tom Lytle, and Allen Kuck. Member Jack Witte arrived at 7:11 p.m. Others present were: Karen Schneider, Jim Miller, Barbara Knisely and Administrator Dennis Recker.
The Chairman asked the Committee if the Minutes met with their approval. Alan Kuck moved to approve the June 2, 2008, Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Jim Page. Motion passed 4-0.
The Chairman stated the only Agenda item was the continuation of the review and revision of Chapter 1259 of the Village Zoning regulations titled "Signs". Chairman Lytle went over the revisions discussed at the June 2, 2008 meeting, and stated that they would continue the line by line review of the remaining sections:
1259.06 Commercial Districts (C-1 through C-4)
B. Add the word "or" (Signs shall be identity signs which carry the name and/or logo…)
1258.08 Temporary Signs
A. Add the following sentence at the end of this section: "Construction signs are not allowed in the right-of-way."
C. Add the words "and/or issues on the ballot" (Political campaign signs announcing the candidates seeking public political office and/or issues on the ballot, up to an area of thirty-two (32) square feet…)
Remove existing "D" pertaining to street banners and place it under 1259.09 Exceptions.
E. "Window Signs" becomes "D" for temporary window signs and change the percentage allowed from 50% to 15% for temporary window signs. "Window Signs" will also be added to 1259.03 Sign Area Calculation and 1259.04 Sign Location as it pertains to permanent window signs.
E. Add the word "and" (Temporary portable advertising signs and banners are allowed…)
G (1). Add the words "limited to one (1) sign per business" at the end of the sentence.
G (4). Add the words "May be placed in the public right-of-way, but…" to be beginning of the paragraph.
1259.09 Exceptions
G. Remove the words "of any kind, provided the sign is painted or attached directly to the body of the original vehicle and does not project or extend beyond the original manufactured body proper of the vehicle, and provided that the primary use of the vehicle is not for advertising purposes" from the beginning of the section. Page 2 Meeting Minutes June 16, 2008
K. Moved from 1259.08 "Temporary" to 1259.09 "Exceptions"
It was agreed that the review of the remaining Sections: 1259.10 Prohibited Signs, 1259.11 Illumination, 1259.12 Inspection, 1259.13 Permits and Fees, and 1259.14 Permit Not Required, will continue at the July 7, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.
Jim Page asked the Administrator for an update on the status of the temporary sales trailer positioned at the entrance to Whitehouse Square.
The Chairman called a halt to work at 9:15 p.m. Jim Page moved to adjourn. Jack Witte seconded the motion, which passed 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
July 14, 2008 Meeting Minutes (This Meeting was originally scheduled for July 7, 2008, but was cancelled and rescheduled)
The Planning Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Tom Lytle. Members present were James Page, Mayor Angela Kuhn, Tom Lytle, and Jack Witte. Others present were: Bill May, Michelle Tippie, Service Director Steve Pilcher, Building & Zoning Clerk Barbara Knisely, and Administrator Dennis Recker.
The Chairman asked the Committee if they had had a chance to go over the Minutes from the June 16, 2008 Meeting and if the Minutes met with their approval.
Jim Page stated that at the June 16, 2008 meeting he had asked for an update on the status of the temporary sales trailer at Whitehouse Square, but that he did not see it on the Agenda. Mr. Recker explained that the Board of Zoning Appeals had given the original permission to place the temporary trailer for six months, and had then given one extension for an additional six months. The extension expired in June, 2008, at which time the matter was brought before Council. Village Council, at it's June 17, 2008, Meeting, granted one additional six month extension for the placement of the temporary sales trailer, to allow the owners/developers time to market the property.
Jack Witte moved to approve the June 16, 2008, Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Jim Page. Motion passed 4-0.
The Chairman advised that there were several items on the Agenda, the first being the Maintenance Facility Yard on Waterville Street. Chairman Lytle asked the Service Director, Steve Pilcher, to go over the proposed site plan. Mr. Pilcher reviewed the site plan and indicated the items to take place this year in Phase 1, which include removing existing asphalt pavement and installing new pavement to provide a complete loop for in and out traffic; removing the existing electrical overhead service and installing below ground service; and removing the current heating system in the garage area and replacing it with a new heating and ventilation system.
After some discussion, members Mayor Kuhn and Jack Witte both stated that these updates were needed and were a positive reflection on the Village and it's commitment to provide excellent services to our residents. Jim Page made a motion to accept the site plan as proposed. Jack Witte seconded the Motion, which passed 4-0.
Next Chairman Lytle asked Dennis Recker to explain the next item on the Agenda, a possible modification to Chapter 521.11 "Cutting of Weeds and Grasses". Mr. Recker reviewed the difficulties the Village is having with developers and other land owners in mowing undeveloped lots within the Village limits. Many developers have parcels that have gone through the preliminary platting stages, but have not been further developed because of the economy. These areas are often left unattended and vegetation is allowed to grow. Many residents have complained about the tall grasses and noxious weeds, and if the owner fails to mow after being given notices by the Village, the Village crews go in and mow the property, and invoice the owner. The modification requested was to allow owners to mow only the 90' perimeters of these properties that adjoin developed lots. After discussion, Jim Page moved to make no modifications to Chapter 521.11. Angela Kuhn seconded the Motion, Motion passed 3-0 (Jack Witte abstained).
The next Agenda item was the continuation of the review of Chapter 1259 "Signs". At the June 16, 2008, Meeting the Commission finished review of the Chapter up to 1259.10 "Prohibited Signs", and it was agreed that the Commission would start there, reviewing the existing Chapter line by line.
The Commission agreed that no changes would be made to sections 1259.10 Prohibited Signs and 1259.11 Illumination.
1259.12 Inspection, Removal, Safety will be modified as follows:
A and B - no changes C - add the word "/she" to the second sentence to make it gender appropriate. D - add the word "Exterior" to the beginning to read: Abandoned Exterior Signs. Also add the word "/her" to the last sentence to make it gender appropriate. E - no changes
1259.13 Permits and Fees will be modified as follows:
A - add the words "which requires a permit," to the first sentence (Prior to construction or establishment of any sign which requires a permit, a permit shall be obtained from the zoning inspector.) B and C - no changes
1259.14 Permit Not Required - no changes.
Mr. Recker informed the Commission Members that there is an item for the August meeting, but that the developer might not be ready by the August 4, 2008 meeting date. It has been requested that the Planning Commission change the August meeting date to sometime later in the month. After review of calendars, it was decided that the 18th was not a good date, but that a quorum of the members would be available on either the 11th or 25th. The Planning Commission will be kept informed on this matter.
With no further business before the Whitehouse Planning Commission, Jack Witte made a Motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jim Page. Motion passed 4-0.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.