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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ.2020.0504.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 4, 2020 2. ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE Chairman Hansen called the meeting of the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission of May 4, 2020, to order at 6:02 p.m. and led the Commission and staff members in the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Susan Dempster; Commissioner Clayton Corey; Vice Chairman Peter Gray; Chairman Erik Hansen; Commissioner Scott Schlossberg; Commissioner Dan Kovacevic Staff Development Services Director John Wesley; Executive Assistant Paula Present: Woodward 4. CONSIDERATION OF approving the meeting minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission March 9, 2020. Moved by Vice Chairman Peter Gray, seconded by Commissioner Scott Schlossberg to approve the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission of March 9, 2020. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 5. HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER the Fountain Hills General Plan 2020. Chairman Hansen opened the public hearing. Development Services Director John Wesley gave a PowerPoint presentation (Attached hereto and made part hereof) which addressed: PLANNING PROCESS MILESTONES VISION OVERARCHING PRINCIPLE PLAN OUTLINE CHARACTER AREAS REVIEW OF FINAL DRAFT Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of May 4, 2020 2 of 6 COMMENT REVIEW MATRIX RECOMMENDATION Mr. Wesley said that Maria Masque, consultant representing the Planning Center, was on the phone should anyone have a question or comment for her. Mr. Wesley explained that The General Plan process started in September 2018. The process is coming to an end with the Commission voting tonight a recommendation to Town Council. Town Council will review the General Plan no later than June. It will then go to a vote by the residents in the November 2020 election. Mr. Wesley said that one of the most important pieces of the General Plan was the vision. The vision statement recognizes what makes Fountain Hills a special place. It shows where the town is headed and how the town will get there. Next is the over-arching principles that support the vision. One of the things that makes the General Plan different from past General Plans, is the effort taken to review the key basic elements that make up the community: the neighborhoods, the environment and the economy, bringing all those things together in a holistic way to create that overall thriving community. The rest of the document is organized around those topics; neighborhoods, environments and economy. Within each one of those are the state requirements as well as the public comments received throughout the process. Another item that is unique and different in this plan is the "character approach" instead of the traditional land use plan. Fountain Hills is largely built out and the type of development that will occur in various parts of town are well established. The character approach allows the focus and emphasis on those parts of town. There are the tables in the plan that relate to the character areas. Mr. Wesley pointed out that the public has been involved in the process of preparing this plan from the beginning. He referenced the Community Comments Review Matrix in the staff report. There were twenty-three comments received by staff and the consultants. He also said that the strike-though version of a revised final draft plan was attached. In conclusion, Mr. Wesley said that under the circumstances tonight, the public was not able to attend the meeting. Staff made it known that comments regarding the General Plan would be accepted. Staff did not receive any comments. Mr. Wesley said that staff recommends approval of the revised final draft plan as presented. Ms. Masque commented that Mr.Wesley and her have been working together very closely over the entire process. She said she agreed with Mr. Wesley's presentation and comments. Vice Chairman Gray said he read the entire plan over the weekend. The plan is Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of May 4, 2020 3 of 6 well written and is used for guidance. His concern was that the town would not be able to deliver the plan because of the Town's obligations. He also said he would really like to see the Town anchor a large biotech or research and development company. There are some neat opportunities out there for high paying organizations that would say "Fountain Hills is our home." Mr. Wesley explained that after this is approved, one of the last tasks will be to look through the list and prioritize what is achievable. A lot can happen over the ten-year period and circumstances may improve allowing for certain items to be obtained. Commissioner Corey complimented the plan by saying it was well-written and he liked the focus on the social environment element and community. He pointed out that the updated photographs chosen are great and made a big difference. He commented that there is no mention of the upcoming hospital. Mr. Wesley replied that there is recognition of medical facilities on page 79. Vice Chairman Gray pointed out an area in the plan that he questioned on page 85, Polices,l.E, "Assesses the feasibility of establishing a user fee for visitors." He asked what does that mean exactly? He suggested removing the item. Mr. Wesley replied that the Community Services Department reviewed and approved this section of the plan. He said he would get clarification from the Community Services Director, Rachael Goodwin. This would be a good time to bring this up since they are planning to update the Park's Master Plan. Vice Chairman Gray asked, was there any thought of reinvention of the fountain? He believes that reinvention of the fountain would be a way to redraw people. He suggested a fountain light and live music show. Has anyone talked about that in relation to the General Plan. Ms. Masque replied that during the process of updating the General Plan, the public mentioned over and over again how they appreciated the fountain. The fountain is the name sake of the town. These are the reasons the fountain is mentioned throughout the plan. Commissioner Schlossberg mentioned that a music and light show centered around the fountain was featured at one of the pervious Oktoberfest celebrations. The feedback from those attending was positive. Commissioner Dempster thanked all those involved with updating the General Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of May 4, 2020 4 of 6 Plan. She said this is a great tool for the town now and for the future. She pointed out that there was a typographical error on page 160, Goal 6, Number 2. She asked for clarification regarding the major amendments in the plan. Mr. Wesley said that there are different types of things that may result in a major amendment. Most of the time it pertains to amendments to the Land Use Map. One example would be relating to the character area map: changing a portion of a neighborhood to a commerce district. The result could make the commerce district larger. If the amount changing from neighborhood area to a commerce district is equal to or 1% more of the neighborhood's area the classification is a major plan amendment. If it is less than 1% but more than five acres it is a minor amendment. If it is less that five acres it is absorbed in to the existing area. Both amendments, minor or major, undergo the public review process. Commissioner Kovacevic said that he is satisfied with the final plan and appreciates the input from the various agencies. Chairman Hansen commented that he asked for some minor changes and confirmed his requests were applied in the final draft. Chairman Hansen closed the public hearing. Moved by Commissioner Susan Dempster, seconded by Commissioner Dan Kovacevic to forward a recommendation to the Town Council to approve the Fountain Hills General Plan 2020 with the adjustments discussed during the meeting. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 6. COMMISSION DISCUSSION/REQUEST FOR RESEARCH to staff. None. 7. SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS from Development Services Director. None. 8. REPORT from Development Services Director. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of May 4, 2020 5 of 6 Mr. Wesley reminded the commissioners the regular meeting will take place next week on Monday, May 11, 2020. The items on the agenda are: amending a Zoning Ordinance, Public Art Requirements to change requirements to comply with the Town of Fountain Hills Public Art Master Plan, Special Use Permit to allow operation of a hospital between 11 pm and 7 am and a repeal and replace portions of the Zoning Ordinance Chapter 6, Signs. Mr. Wesley said it has been determined that the public will be allowed to attend Monday's meeting. Due to the pandemic the meeting will follow the meet distancing requirements. 9. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Hansen thanked everyone and especially Ms. Masque for all the hard work they put in to the General Plan. The Special Meeting of the Fountain Hills Planning and Zoning Commission held March 4, 2020, adjourned at 6:43 p.m. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Erik Hansen, Chairman ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: Oat- 1 L JAL Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant CERTIFICATION I herby certify that the forgoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Special Meeting held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of Fountain Hills in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 4th day of May, 2020. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. Dated this 7th day of May, 2020. 64- 6,6-kdic_C Paula Woodward, Executive Assistant Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of May 4, 2020 6 of 6