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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ.2013.0314.Minutes 11) TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MARCH 14, 2013 Chairman Lloyd Pew opened the session of the Planning and Zoning Commission at 6:30 p.m. The following Commissioners were present: Chairman Lloyd Pew, Commissioners Mike Archambault, Stan Connick, and Gene Slechta. Commissioners not in attendance were Vice- Chairman Angelia Strohan, Commissioners Richard Turner, and Steven Harris. Also in attendance were Paul Mood, Director of Development Services, Robert Rodgers Senior Planner, and Janice Baxter Executive Assistant and Recorder of the Minutes. Chairman Lloyd Pew requested participation in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection. ROLL CALL: Chairman Lloyd Pew present Commissioner Gene Slechta present Commissioner Stan Connick present Commissioner Mike Archambault present IPCommissioner Steven Harris absent [recovering from major surgery] Commissioner Angela Strohan absent [notified staff in advance] Commissioner Richard Turner absent [notified staff in advance] CALL TO THE PUBLIC No one wished to speak. REGULAR AGENDA AGENDA ITEM #1 — CONSIDERATION of APPROVING the regular session meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission dated Thursday,February 14,2013. Commissioner Gene Slechta MOVED to APPROVE the regular session meeting minutes for the Planning and Zoning Commission dated February 14, 2013. Commissioner Mike Archambault SECONDED. A roll call was taken and the MOTION CARRIED 4 -0, by those present. Chairman Lloyd Pew aye Commissioner Gene Slechta aye Commissioner Mike Archambault aye Commissioner Stan Connick aye Page 1 of 5 AGENDA ITEM #2 - PUBLIC HEARING of ORDINANCE #2013-03, an amendment to Chapter 6, Section 6.08 — Signs, of the Zoning Ordinance. If adopted, the amendment would revise the circumstances under which promotional banners may be used by businesses. Robert Rodgers gave a brief informational presentation to the Commission. Mr. Rodgers pointed out that the Town Council indicated their desire to amend the Sign Ordinance to allow businesses to erect promotional banners without the requirement that they be tied to outdoor event activities. Mr. Rodgers added that the proposed amendment will provide for businesses to erect promotional banners for up to 14 days per calendar month (in 7-day minimum increments) subject to staff review and approval. The requirement that some outdoor event activity also be present has been eliminated. Mr. Rodgers stated that staff recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission forward a recommendation to the Town Council to approve the proposed zoning amendment, as presented. Public Hearing Opened at 6:34 p.m. PJ Britt a Fountain Hills small business owner spoke to the Commission regarding signs and banners. She requested that feather banners be allowed to be placed out near roadways for better visibility. (Exhibit"A") Public Hearing Closed at 6:35 p.m. AGENDA ITEM #3 — CONSIDERATION of ORDINANCE #2013-03, an amendment to Chapter 6, Section 6.08 — Signs., of the Zoning Ordinance. If adopted, the amendment would revise the circumstances under which promotional banners may be used by businesses. Chairman Lloyd Pew asked if the Commissioners had any questions or comments regarding this agenda item. Commissioner Gene Slechta pointed out that the entry in the column of the banner table labeled "Type of Event" was "Type of Event or Promotion", which suggested to him something special or something out of the ordinary. Commissioner Slechta stated that he sees this as a creeping misuse of banners, intended for temporary use, now being used as virtually permanent signs. Commissioner Mike Archambault made a MOTION to forward a recommendation to approve the amendment to Chapter 6, Section 6.08 — Signs, of the Zoning Ordinance, as presented. Commissioner Stan Connick SECONDED. The MOTION passed 3-1, with Commissioner Gene Slechta casting the nay vote. AGENDA ITEM #4 — DISCUSSION with possible direction to staff regarding INITIATING either the revision or deletion of Section 3.08.H of the Fountain Hills Subdivision Ordinance. In addition to the underlying zoning requirements, Section 3.08.H currently imposes additional lot width and area requirements so that lots must remain within 90% of the average of surrounding properties when lot dimensions are altered or lots are re-platted. • Page 2 of 5 Chairman Lloyd Pew requested this item be placed on the agenda for initiation. Chairman Pew stated that the Commission had three choices: 1. Make revisions to Subdivision Ordinance Section 3.08; Paragraph 3.08.H. 2. Delete Paragraph 3.08.H. 3. Do nothing and leave Paragraph 3.08.H, as stated. Chairman Pew added that 3.08.H has always been confusing to him and a unique ordinance. He continued that we already have zoning districts with minimum requirements on lot sizes and 3.08.H makes it difficult to average when determining if a lot line adjustment could be justified between two adjoining plats. Chairman Pew added that under this paragraph staff had to consider and calculate the different lot sizes within 800 feet within a zoning district. Chairman Pew stated that he did not see the benefit that paragraph 3.08.H served to the planning process. Commissioner Archambault asked Mr. Rodgers if the Commission considers eliminating paragraph "H", how that would affect Section 3.08. Mr. Rodgers explained that it would not change density calculations required in the lots in the zoning districts. He added that "H"just added additional requirements by adding the 90% of the average area of surrounding lots, plus lots must have at least 90%of the average lot width at a minimum. Mr. Rodgers and Chairman Lloyd Pew both agreed that they had not experienced this type of rule in any other subdivision ordinance they have worked with. • Chairman Lloyd Pew pointed out that if property owners agreed to move a simple property line, i.e. because of a driveway issue or wall, this paragraph could make it hard to accomplish and pass the test because of a few large lots in the area. Commissioner Gene Slechta wanted to explain why leaving 3.08.H in the Subdivision Ordinance could possibly benefit zoning districts. Commissioner Slechta used the reference such as R1-18, where all the lots in the neighborhood were one-acre and the property owners wanted to keep all properties one-acre lots. If one property owner wanted to split his lot, this could be an issue with the surrounding property owners in that zoning district. Commissioner Slechta suggested possibly changing the 90% rule or using a minimum lot size instead of an average. Commissioner Slechta supported a revision that didn't complicate the issue. Chairman Lloyd Pew confirmed his position by requesting staff research the possibility of allowing minor lot line adjustments without calculations. Commissioner Archambault reminded the Commissioner that any lot line adjustments would required the lot to demonstrate the ability to be buildable. Chairman Pew made a MOTION to support the deletion of 3.08.H from the Subdivision Ordinance and directed staff to initiate the ordinance change. Commissioner Mike Archambault SECONDED and the MOTION carried 4-0. C Page 3 of 5 AGENDA ITEM #5 — 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#6- SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUEST from Senior Planner. Initiation of a possible Subdivision Ordinance amendment as initiated during this meeting, to be scheduled for the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting dated Thursday, April 11, 2013. Also requested was a report on how this could impact properties within and without 3.08.H of the Subdivision Ordinance and how many cases have been brought to staff in the past that has involved this paragraph. AGENDA ITEM #7 — REPORT from Senior Planner, Planning and Zoning Division of Development Services. Mr. Rodgers stated that there was nothing to report. AGENDA ITEM#8 -ADJOURNMENT. Caw Commissioner Gene Slechta MOVED to adjourn and Commissioner Mike Archambault SECONDED and the MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Chairman Lloyd Pew aye Commissioner Gene Slechta aye Commissioner Mike Archambault aye Commissioner Stan Connick aye The regular meeting ADJOURNED at 6:57 p.m. FOUNTAIN HILLS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION BY: Ad Chairman Lloyd E. Pew ATTEST: , i,c. eyat,t, Janice Baxter, Recorder (Or Page 4 of 5 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 14th day of March 2013, in the Town Council Chambers. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. Dated this 14th day of March 2013 9971 Janice Baxter, Recor� • Page5of5 v‘4,1 ar"'fit REQUEST TO SPEAK CARD Please submit this card prior to the discussion of the item listed below. Meeting Date 9j��bae is At\ro�p sw.., i°.�� j 044, Name/Phone No. w V14/ y_ j+. 7 1. w , ity/Townb e F: Title/Organization vsl #f I am representing (#of people) '$ YES, I wish to speak or ❑ NO, I do not wish to speak,but have indicated my position: ❑ FOR ❑ AGAINST ❑ CALL TO THE PUBLIC PUBLIC HEARING ITEM NO. "i*-4-5" Of AGENDA ITEM NO. PLEASE PRINT Comments: *at- -o 4)3 c Thank you for participating in your Town government. Your comments are an important and valuable part of the process. Please fill out the comment card completely and turn it into the Clerk prior to the Council discussion of that Agenda item or prior to the beginning of the meeting. (Please see reverse for procedural information on addressing the Council) E:\BBender\Documents\Forms\Request to Speak Cards rev 6-19-07.doc 6/11/2012 L Exhibit "A "