HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ.2019.0926.Minutes PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 26,2019 PAGE 1
TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
September 26, 2019
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—Chairman Susan Dempster
Chairman Dempster called the meeting of September 26, 2019, to order at 600 p.m.
1. MOMENT OF SILENCE—Chairman Susan Dempster
2. ROLL CALL — Chairman Susan Dempster
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Susan Dempster, Vice Chairman Erik Hansen;
Commissioners Mathew Boik,Clayton Corey, Peter Gray,ChristopherJones and Scott Schlossberg.
STAFF PRESENT: Development Services Director John Wesley and Executive Assistant Paula
Woodward.
3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
None.
Pursuant to ARS. 38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required)on matters NOT listed
on the agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Planning and Zoning
Commission and (ii) is subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Planning
and Zoning Commission will not discuss or take legal action on matters raised during "Call to the
Public" unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. At the conclusion
of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to
review a matter,or(iii)ask that the matter be placed on a future Planning and Zoning Commission
agenda.
4. CONSIDERATION of approving minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
minutes dated September 12, 2019.
Vice Chairman Hansen MOVED to approve the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission
dated September 12, 2019; Commissioner Schlossberg SECONDED: passed unanimously.
5. NOMINATION AND ELECTION of a Chairman for a one (1) year term.
Chairman Dempster asked for Chairman Nominations.
Chairman Dempster NOMINATED Erik Hansen for the Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman;
Commissioner Boik SECONDED: passed unanimously.
6. NOMINATION AND ELECTION of a Vice -Chairman for a one (1) year term.
Vice Chairman Hansen NOMINATED Peter Gray for the Planning and Zoning Commission Vice
Chairman; Chairman Dempster SECONDED: passed unanimously.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 26,2019 PAGE 2
7. PUBLIC HEARING and CONSIDERATION of ORDINANCE#19-16,a text amendment to the Town of
Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 6, Sign Regulations, Sections 6.08. M and 6.08. Q. The
amendments replace the existing language in Section 6.08 M regarding Garage Sale Signs with
new provisions for Residential Directory Signs and eliminate Section 6.08. Q. regarding Open
House Signs. Case#Z2019-06
Chairman Dempster opened the public hearing.
John Wesley, Development Services Director, explained that the Town's entire sign code is under
review by staff to make changes to comply with the 2015 Supreme Court ruling, Reed v. The
Town of Gilbert. The court ruled that sign regulations couldn't be based on the content of the
sign. There are examples throughout the Fountain Hills sign ordinance that base the
regulations on the sign content.The Town has started to review and update the entire sign
ordinance to comply with the ruling. One of the most ongoing challenges today faced by code
enforcement is open house and garage sale signs. Staff has chosen to address these temporary
signs now and the remaining ordinance updates to follow. The new provisions allow these signs
to be designated into a single category "residential directional signs." This will keep the sign
physical characteristics consistent and the sign content does not dictate designation. Mr. Wesley
reviewed the proposed residential directional sign regulations as stated in the staff report. The
maximum amount of signs allowed is five. One sign may be anywhere on the property and
one additional sign at each turning movement beginning at the property leading out to a major
street. The new language clarifies the distance and measurements from the right-of-way. The
distance for sign placement is measured from the curb not the right-of-way. By approving the
4114r► amendment, code compliance issues regarding the type of sign and correct placement will be
reduced. Mr. Wesley concluded that staff recommends approval of the proposed text
amendment.
In response to Commissioner Gray, Mr. Wesley replied that code enforcement has stepped up in
the last couple of months. The addition of a second code enforcement officer allows for
coverage on the weekends when most of these type of signs are posted. There have not been
any issues or concerns regarding blue staking for these type of signs. The majority of these sit on
the top of ground or are lightly staked.
Commissioner Boik asked about the "lost dog" signs posted on street signs and utility poles.
Mr. Wesley said there are provisions still in the code that prohibit placing signs on stop signs or
utility poles.
Commissioner Corey said that the way the proposed text amendment is written seems unclear
regarding the number of signs and placement.
Chairman Dempster asked how the service roads are affected. Is it possible to put more detail
for clarification regarding the placement in medians.
Mr. Wesley said that the commission could postpone their recommendation this evening so he
would have an opportunity to address their comments. He would present the proposed text
amendment at the October 10, 2019, meeting.
Chairman Dempster closed the public hearing.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 26,2019 PAGE 3
Vice Chairman Hansen MOVED to postpone to forward a recommendation to Town Council
ORDINANCE#19-16, a text amendment to the Town of Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance, Chapter
6, Sign Regulations, Sections 6.08. M and 6.08. Q. The amendments replace the existing language
in Section 6.08 M regarding Garage Sale Signs with new provisions for Residential Directory signs
and eliminate Section 6.08. Q. regarding Open House Signs, to the October 10, 2019,
meeting. Case#Z2019-06; Commissioner Corey SECONDED: passed unanimously.
8. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND PROVIDE COMMENTS on the first portion of the draft Fountain
Hills General Plan 2020.
Chairman Dempster emphasized how important the General Plan is, especially how the Planning
and Zoning Commission reference the document regarding land, growth and development.
Mr. Wesley explained that state statute requires that cities and towns update their general plan
every ten years. The current Fountain Hills General Plan was approved in 2010. Staff has been
working with a consultant to prepare the new plan for adoption by the Council and voters in
2020. Over this last year, the consultant has been gathering and analyzing background data on
Fountain Hills. Citizens also provided input as well. He said that he wanted to review the draft
with the commission in detail since they will be forwarding a recommendation to the Town
Council. He said the approach taken this time is different from previous General Plan updates.
Instead of the traditional land used approach, the draft new Plan defines different types of
development character. This is a more flexible way to manage land use and help to reinforce
maintenance of the existing character of the Town. Mr. Wesley said the first section of the new
General Plan has been submitted by the consultant for review by the Town. The section for
review and feedback included:
Ikrry • Introduction and Overview
• How to Use this Document
• Vision
• Existing Development
• Establishment of Character Areas and associated Goals and Policies
• Sections to be submitted over the coming months include:
• Neighborhoods
• Social Environment
• Connectivity, Access and Mobility
• Public Facilities
• Natural Environment
• Economic Development
• Plan Administration
The document is available on the Town's website for public review and comment, as will the
subsequent sections over the next couple of months. There will be a stakeholders' meeting and
a public open house on the Plan at the Community Center on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
Mr. Wesley said the Planning and Zoning Commissions input is very important. The final
document will be presented to the Commission in April 2020 and to the Town Council in June
2020.Voting will take place in November 2020.
‘Nos. Discussion took place among the commission as the draft was reviewed page by page.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 26,2019 PAGE 4
Chairman Dempster asked about the safe by design neighborhoods definition.
Commissioner Jones said that there is the CPTED, Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design, which is similar.
Mr. Wesley said that law enforcement has been using the CPTED for years. On page, 23 of the
draft there are a list of safe by design concepts.
In response to Commissioner Jones, Mr. Wesley said on pages 14, 15 and 16 are an outline of
what is coming in the plan. Page 19 mentions specifics pertaining to property maintenance. In
the goals and polices section on page 22, there are a few things that relate to that same topic.
Once the plan is approved, it is reviewed to make adjustments in ordinances and procedures so
the new plan can be implemented.
Commissioner Gray said he believes mention of re-gentrification would be an opportunity for
the general plan. There are neighborhoods where most of the buildings date back to 1970 or
earlier.
In response to Commissioner Gray, Mr. Wesley said that the statements in the vision should
work toward the goals. If they do not then they can be changed and tweaked. The economic
development section will be reviewed in the coming months.
Mr. Wesley said that on Page 31 is the beginning of the new character approach. Most of the
town is neighborhoods and the town center. The gateways roll in the town and the role they
play in w
Commissionertheto n.Jones commented that the emphasis on the town's gateways are more of a
threshold than the "once you are there." A gateway is entry into something but our gateways
seem to be missing a node.There are intersections that could be nodes.
A discussion about the general plan took place and Mr. Wesley agreed that the internal
boundary map line definitions could be omitted on the map. The town area specific plan is
nearing its end.There are lot of opinions about it and their boundaries.
Mr. Wesley said that one of the most important items to review is Table 1. It describes the
existing character, where the character should go and what the plan is for these areas. It
is a useful tool regarding development proposal in the future. One example in this table is the
Shea Blvd Corridor. It is shown overbuilt with retail so a future with mixed use would be
appropriate.
In response to Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Jones explained that activitiy nodes are a
circle of an area that identifies it as more intense activity. It encourages and allows more higher
density, more employment more commercial without defining a boundary. Creating nodes at
major intersections helps to develop those areas
Mr. Wesley said that the town center area may be helped by identifying a node. It would be
important to reinforce the urban walkable area.
9. REVIEW AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK on staff reports, staff presentations, meeting process and
dates.
Mr. Wesley said he would like feedback from the commission regarding staff. It is staff's goal to
give the commission the information they need to make informative decisions.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 26,2019 PAGE 5
Commissioner Gray said that he appreciates the new format regarding staff report
recommendations.The commission agreed moving forward this would be the best format.
Commissioner Jones asked if it's possible to view the presentations on the laptops. It is difficult at
times because the room lacks darkness and the screen location makes viewing difficult.
Mr. Wesley replied that a program called agendaquick has been purchased and will be in use for
the commission and boards in the near future. Agenda quick allows for the viewing of overhead
presentations on the individual laptops.
Chairman Dempster stated she would like to have been able to give input regarding the changes in
the speaker comment cards. The changes omitted were important to maintain an orderly meeting
and to prevent repetition of a topic. She also suggested that the commission meetings take place
even though there may not be a case to discuss. It would provide an opportunity for training or
discussion or current events pertaining to planning and zoning.
Mr. Wesley asked the commission to think about changing the meeting dates to Monday or
Wednesday nights. This would be up for discussion at the October 10, 2019 meeting.
Commissioner Gray suggested that a chairman's report would be helpful to go along with the
council packet.
10. COMMISSION DISCUSSION/ REQUESTS FOR RESEARCH to staff.
11. SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS from Development Services Director.
12. REPORT from Development Services Director.
*r
Mr.Wesley provided flyers to the commission regarding the up coming general plan events.
13. ADJOURNMENT.
The Regular Meeting of the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission held September 26,
2019, adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Town of Fountain Hills
Erik Hansen, C irman
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
aldix
� , tquotAia
Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Session held by
the Planning and Zoning Commission of Fountain Hills in the Fountain Hills Council Chambers on the 26th day of
September 2019. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 8th day of September 2019.
Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant
OJ,111.1Ny1 POST ACTION AGENDA ,.Alb its NOTICE OF MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
tkatIsOa"'
Chairman Susan Dempster
Vice Chairman Erik Hansen Commissioner Peter Gray
Commissioner Mathew Boik Commissioner Chris Jones
Commissioner Clayton Corey Commissioner Scott Schlossberg
TIME: 6:00 P.M. — REGULAR SESSION
WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
WHERE: FOUNTAIN HILLS COMMUNITY CENTER
13001 N. LA MONTANA DRIVE, FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ
Commissioners of the Town of Fountain Hills will attend either in person or by telephone conference call; a
quorum of the Town's Council, various Commission, Committee or Board members may be in attendance at
the Commission meeting.
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9, subject to certain specified statutory exceptions,
parents have a right to consent before the State or any of its political subdivisions make a video or audio
recording of a minor child. Meetings of the Commission are audio and/or video recorded and, as a result,
proceedings in which children are present may be subject to such recording.Parents, in order to exercise their
rights may either file written consent with the Town Clerk to such recording, or take personal action to ensure
that their child or children are not present when a recording may be made. If a child is present at the time a
recording is made, the Town will assume that the rights afforded parents pursuant to A.R.S. §1-602.A.9 have
been waived.
REQUEST TO COMMENT
The public is welcome to participate in Commission meetings.
TO SPEAK TO AN AGENDA ITEM, please complete a Request to Comment card, located in the
back of the Council Chambers, and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion of that item,
if possible. Include the agenda item on which you wish to comment. Speakers will be allowed three
contiguous minutes to address the Commission. Verbal comments should be directed through the
Presiding Officer and not to individual Commissioners.
TO COMMENT ON AN AGENDA ITEM IN WRITING ONLY, please complete a Request to
Comment card, indicating it is a written comment, and check the box on whether you are FOR or
AGAINST an agenda item,and hand it to the Executive Assistant prior to discussion, if possible.
REGULAR MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE -- Chairman Dempster
6:00 PM
2. ROLL CALL — Chairman Dempster
3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431,01(H),public comment is permitted(not required)on matters NOT listed on the agenda Any such comment(i)must
be within the jurisdiction of the Commission and(ii) is subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not
discuss or take legal action on matters raised during"Call to the Public"unless the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action_
Atthe conclusion of the Call to the Public,individual commissioners may(i)respond to criticism, (ii)ask staff to review a matter,or(iii)ask that
the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda.
4. CONSIDERATION OF approving the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes dated J4444)-2.61.
2019. APPROVED SEPTEMBER 12
5. NOMINATION AND ELECTION of a Chairman for a one (1) year term.APPROVED
Erik Hansen appointed Chair
6. NOMINATION AND ELECTION of a Vice -Chairman for a one (1) year term.APPROVED
Peter Gray appointed Vice Chair
7. PUBLIC HEARING and CONSIDERATION of ORDINANCE #19-16, a text amendment to the Town of
Fountain Hills Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 6, Sign Regulations, Sections 6.08. M and 6.08. Q. The
amendments replace the existing language in Section 6.08 M regarding Garage Sale Signs with new
provisions for Residential Directory Signs and eliminate Section 6.08. Q. regarding Open House
Signs Case #Z2019-06 Postponed to the October 10, 2019 meeting
8. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND PROVIDE COMMENTS on the first portion of the draft Fountain Hills
General Plan 2020. NO ACTION TAKEN
9. REVIEW AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK on staff reports, staff presentations, meeting process and dates.
NO ACTION TAKEN
10. COMMISSION DISCUSSION/REQUEST FOR RESEARCH to staff. NO ACTION TAKEN
11. SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS from Development Services Director. NO ACTION TAKEN
12. REPORT from Development Services Director.NO ACTION TAKEN
13. ADJOURNMENT.7:25 pm
The Town of Fountain Hills endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities Please call 480-816-5100(voice)or 1-800-367-
8939(TOO)48 hours prior to the meeting to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting or to obtain agenda information in large
print format.Supporting documentation and staff reports furnished the Council with this agenda are available for review in the Clerk's Office.
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF NOTICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that a copy of the foregoing notice was duly posted at /o n Ot) a.m p.m. n accordance with the
statement filed by the Town Council with the TownClerk.
Dated this I-( day of S t+c w., ,2019.
Y W nikAf t
Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant
r.►