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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ.2016.0811.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE PLANNING&ZONING COMMISSION August 11,2016 Chairman Archambault opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: The following Commissioners were present: Chairman Michael Archambault, Vice-Chairman Eugene Mikolajczyk. Commissioners: Howie Jones, Stan Connick, and Roger Owers. Also in attendance were Robert Rodgers, Interim Development Services Director, and Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant and Recorder of the minutes. Commissioners Susan Dempster and Jeremy Strohan were absent. Chairman Archambault requested participation in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection. CALL TO THE PUBLIC No one wished to speak. AGENDA ITEM #1 - CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DATED July 28,2016. Vice-Chairman Mikolajczyk MOVED to APPROVE the meeting minutes dated Thursday,July 28,2016 as written. Commissioner Howie Jones SECONDED and the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (5/0). 111) AGENDA ITEM #2 - PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON A PROPOSED SPECIAL USE PERMIT BY FEARLESS KITTY CAT RESCUE TO ALLOW INDOOR KENNELS AT 16832 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS, LOCATED IN THE "C-2" ZONING DISTRICT. Case#SU 2016-03 Chairman Archambault turned the meeting over to Commissioner Connick. Commissioner Connick opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m. Bob Rodgers addressed the Commission regarding a Special Use Permit Application submitted by Fearless Kitty Rescue, a non-profit, no-kill, cat rescue and kennel facility currently located at 16913 E. Enterprise Drive. That is in the C-3 (Heavy Commercial /Light Industrial) Zoning District. Mr. Rodgers said they have the option to purchase a vacant building located at16832 East Avenue of the Fountains where they wish to re-locate the rescue facility. The building fronts on the Avenue of the Fountains, directly abuts Gridley's store and is across a small courtyard area from Sofrita's restaurant. This is in the C-2 (Mid-Density Commercial)Zoning District. The C-2 district regulations are contained in Chapter 12 of the Zoning Ordinance. Pursuant to Section 12.03.D in order for a kennel to operate in the C-2 zoning district, a Special Use Permit must be approved by the Town Council. Tonight's hearing is to request that the Planning & Zoning Commission consider forwarding a favorable recommendation to the Town Council to approve this request. Section 2.02D of the Zoning Ordinance outlines the key criteria that should be considered by the Commission during your deliberations. • They are: 1. Any Special Conditions that influence the location 2. Whether any new buildings or other improvements are proposed 3. Traffic Page 1 of 4 4. Any negative influences on adjoining properties 5. No detriments to the public health, safety, peace, or comfort to the properties in the immediate area or to the general welfare of the town at large Col Mr. Rodgers stated, that if the Commission determines that those factors are satisfactorily addressed, the Commission should forward a recommendation to approve the Special Use Permit. If it's determined that the factors are not all satisfactorily met, the Commission may recommend that the Council attach additional stipulations to their approval. OR, you may recommend denial. If recommending denial, the Commission should note the specific reasons for the recommendation in order that Council can fully evaluate the recommendation. Staff recommends that the Commission forward a recommendation to Town Council to approve the Special Use Permit to allow Fearless Kitty Rescue to locate at 16832 E. Avenue of the Fountains, subject to the stipulations outlined in the staff report. Kristen Skivington, a volunteer with Fearless Kitty Rescue, addressed the commission. She said Fearless Kitty Rescue is a free roaming,no kill facility. The cats are not in cages. There are large rooms,couches, kitty furniture, food and water. Cages are only used temporarily to introduce new additions to the facility or for kitty timeout. Kittens are separated from adult cats and all have the ability to play and be just cats. The Fearless Kitty Rescue has been in the current location for four years and expanded three times. The new space will allow for Fearless Kitty Rescue to be internally designed for a rescue. This would include, a non-emergency medical area, public spaces to view adoptable cats, and an educational/resource center. There are over 100 volunteers and this space would provide an area for training staff. There are 2 shifts, (morning and afternoon/early evening) running 7 days a week. Services with Republic Services are for pick up two days a week.All litter would be tripled bagged and placed in industrial contractor bags before going into the disposal. Ms. Skivingtion concluded with thanking the Commission and that she is available for any further questions. �Ir+' Kate Koch, a two and half year volunteer with Fearless Kitty Rescue, addressed the Commission relative to a grant received from Republic Services last summer. She explained the grant was for the Trap-Neuter- Return(TNR) for Feral Cats Program. Feral Cats are wild cats that are not domestic and every town has them. Ms. Koch reviewed some of the rescue's accomplishments. In the last eighteen months ninety-nine cats were taken into the Fearless Kitty Rescue; sixty-six strays, thirteen trap and release, twenty-two owner surrender, and eleven from owners deceased (3 from MCSO calls), forty-seven calls for lost and found cats and nine dead cats picked up off the streets. Ms. Koch concluded with offering informational flyers about the TNR program. Amberleigh Dabrowski, a Fountain Hills resident, asked the following questions regarding the Fearless Kitty Rescue; how frequently would volunteers work at the facility and the amount of foot traffic expected. She also asked about noise control measures. Commissioner Connick asked if there were any more public speakers and there being none, he closed the public hearing at 6:34 p.m. AGENDA ITEMS #3 - CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSED SPECIAL USE PERMIT BY FEARLESS KITTY CAT RESCUE TO ALLOW INDOOR KENNELS AT 16832 E. AVENUE OF THE FOUNTAINS,LOCATED IN THE "C-2"ZONING DISTRICT. Case#SU 2016-03 Chairman Archambault asked for hours of operation and answers to the questions from the last speaker. Ms. Skivington said the hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. These are not the public hours but people come and go throughout the day. Public hours are not every day. The new location's proposed hours are: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. Page 2 of 4 and then 3:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. The facility is not open full time to the public. Adoption arrangements are made by appointment with the adoption coordinator. Chairman Archambault asked how are the cats contained. Ms. Skivington replied there are many rooms which are designated cat rooms with doors. They are not allowed to free roam the building. There is a public area of the building near the entrance that is contained and allows people to see the cats available for adoption. There are a lot of windows on the interior and exterior for viewing of the cats in each of the rooms. In response to other questions Ms. Skivington said noise is not an issue with the current location and they do not anticipate one in the new location. The cats are left unattended overnight and there is no way for anyone to come into the building. Cats are very independent and do not mind being left alone. The web camera posted on the website shows what the kittens are doing when no one is around. They are often playing, running and sometimes sleeping. Commissioner Jones thanked the rescue for the community support Fearless Kitty Rescue provides to Fountain Hills. He asked what is the percentage of local and national funding. Ms. Skivington said local is 70 % and national is 30 %. National funds are growing because of participation in more grant writing and having national recognition. Two large donations of cat food were received this last year which provided $60,000 value of cat food. Since it was not all needed, Fearless Kitty networked with other rescues to share the food. The promotion of Fearless Kitty Rescue on Jackson Galaxy's Foundation and other sites are providing more grants. Fearless Kitty Rescue was recently recognized at a national conference. In response to Commissioner Jones, Ms. Skivington said the feral cats are brought in and get spayed or neutered and receive rabies vaccination. They are returned to the location they were taken from. Ms. Koch said the majority of feral cats are near El Pueblo and the Indian reservation area. The farthest one out is near Safeway. In response to questions, Ms. Koch said all the volunteers will park in the back and the windows do not open so noise should not be an issue. Security cameras will be in place. Commissioner Connick asked about other community rescues. Ms. Skivington said there are rescues in other comminutes. The difference is Fearless Kitty has a dedicated staff and location. Sometimes people use their house and take in cats. There are official ones like the county and the humane society. Fearless Kitty is unique because it is in a small community and can serve the town well. Commissioner Owers asked if the TNR programs spay, neuter and rabies shots are performed on site. Ms. Koch said the Arizona Animal Rescue League provides a low cost spay and neuter program L which Fearless Kitty Rescue resources. After surgery the cats are returned to the facility for monitoring and then released where they were trapped. They are given rabies shots only. The procedures are not done at the rescue facility. Page 3 of 4 Ms. Skivington said the cats available for adoption are spayed and neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped at El Dorado Veterinarian Hospital in Fountain Hills. Cof Commissioner Owers MOVED to FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION to Town Council to approve the proposed SPECIAL USE PERMIT to allow Fearless Kitty Cat Rescue to operate an indoor kennel at 16832 E. Avenue of the Fountains, located in the "C-2" zoning district, subject to the stipulations recommended by staff as outlined in the staff report. Vice-Chairman Mikolajczyk SECONDED and the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (5/0) AGENDA ITEMS#4-COMMISSION DISCUSSION/REQUEST FOR RESEARCH to staff. Items listed below are related only to the propriety of(i)placing such items on a future agenda for action or(ii) directing staff to conduct further research and report back to the Commission. None AGENDA ITEM#5-SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS FROM SENIOR PLANNER. None AGENDA ITEM #6 - REPORT FROM SENIOR PLANNER AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, PLANNING AND ZONING DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. There are four open commissioner positions with five applicants. Interviews will take place next week. AGENDA ITEM#7-ADJOURNMENT. Commissioner Jones MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. and Vice-Chairman Mikolajczyk • SECONDED and the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (5/0) FOUNTAIN HILLS PLANNING&ZONING COMMISSION BY: Chai an Mike Archamba t ATTEST: ?(1.11.Q1b 1/D4.0t1A) Paula Woodward,Executive Assistant CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission held on the 11th day of August 2016, in the Town Council Chambers, 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. Dated this 17th day of August 2016 ( ^moo�n Paulala Woodward, Executive( Assistant Page 4 of 4 Trap-Neuter-Ret. for Stray and Feral Cats: ThelBasics Follow these basic steps to join with thousands of others across the country working to improve the lives of stray and feral cats.We know you may feel nervous,but with our expert advice,you can calm your nerves and get to work improving cats' lives.Find more in-depth information about the entire trapping process and more details at www.alleycat.org/Trap-Neuter-Return. Set a feeding schedule. Feed the cats at the same time and place every day—usually for about one to two weeks.Use this same time when you are ready to trap.Withhold food for 24 hours before Trap-Neuter-Return your trapping day.Always Trap:Humanely trap the cats in a colony. provide water.(Optional tip:Feed cats out of an Neuter:Take the cats in their traps to a upset trap if the area is veterinarian or spay/neuter clinic to be sterilized,eartipped,and vaccinated. safe and secure;the cats will acclimate to seeing Return:Return the cats to their original colony site. and walking into them.) Make veterinary appointments ahead of time. Before your trapping day,call and make reservations with a veterinarian or neuter clinic experienced with feral cat protocol.Let them know you may or may not be successful—you may call to cancel your appointment.(Steer clear of veterinarians who do not have experience with stray and feral cats.) Practice,practice,practice. Practice setting the traps ahead of time.View directions for using traps at www.alleycat.org/Traps. i _ W ti • ,•• are and set the traps. Prepare traps a the trap site so you do not disturb the cats. Line the bottom with newspaper.Place about a tablespoon of bait at the back of the trap,past the trip plate,and drizzle a trail of oil in a zigzag pattern leading to the front of the trap.Tag each trap with its location so you can return the cats to the same place later. Place the traps on level ground and set them.Never leave traps unattended. Watch from a distance where you won't intimidate the cats,but you can see if anyone is approaching.Stay calm and have a towel ready! Cover the traps once they are sprung and transport the cats to the veterinarian. Once the trap is sprung,cover it immediately and entirely with a large towel or sheet to help keep the cats calm. Don't pick up sprung traps if other cats are still sniffing around the , trapping area.Wait for a quiet ` moment to fully cover and move the traps.Although the cats are scared and may thrash ortee Il;i seem'unhappy,'remember to 11111, ti never let a cat out of the trap. Take the cats in their traps to their soo. veterinary appointments. Care for the cats after surgery. Hold the cats overnight after their surgery in a temperature-controlled, safe location.While the cats are recovering from anesthesia,they are unable to regulate their body temperature.Provide food and water when the cats are awake by cautiously and slowly lifting the back door of the trap by a half inch and sliding in a plastic lid with food or water.Never open the door or put your hands inside the trap.A good rule of thumb is that cats can be returned 24 hours after surgery, once they're clear-eyed and alert.Talk to your veterinarian about when to return lactating mothers and other special cases. Return the cats to their outdoor home. Return the cats to the location where they were trapped.Clean the traps with a non-toxic disinfectant. On behalf of the cats,thank you.You've done the right thing! Alley Cat Allies Join our ©2013 movement to 7920 Norfolk Avenue,Suite 600 Bethesda,MD 20814 protect cats. www alleycat.org/RespoResponse 121613