HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 8/28/2007 - Community Development Committee COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
� Tuesday,August 28, 2007
Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Condon, Alderman Santi and
Alderman Wimmer. Absent: None. Also in Attendance: Director of Community Development
Napolitano, City Planner Jurs and City Clerk Jones.
Chairman Alderman Condon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan Update
Director of Cc�mmunity Development Napolitano reiterated that at the last meeting, the
Committee reviewed the updates to the Comprehensive Plan for Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4. At that
time it was determined that a scaled down update was more appropriate, with a thorough update
of the Plan to b��undertaken in 2011 following the 2010 Census.
Since the last meeting text for Chapter 5 has been completed. It was noted that Chapter 5 was
originally titled "Housing." However, Staff believed the term to be limiting, therefore, the title
was changed ta "Neighborhood Character," which allows a more broad discussion of the way
homes interact with former neighborhoods.
Chairman Alderman Condon noted some typographical and grammatical errors, requesting they
be corrected. Alderman Santi opined he liked to see a distinct promotion of attractive
� neighborhoods.
Responding to Alderman Wimmer's inquiry regarding the use of green concepts in town, City
Planner Jurs indicated Staff is unaware of anyone using the green concept. Construction is
typically conventional. City Planner Jurs stated Staff is hoping eventually that the land leads the
design. Staff has assembled a list of developers that are conservation-minded.
Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee that Staff should continue
moving forward with the updates to the Comprehensive Plan.
Discussion Re�ardin�Engineerins Review and Insuection Fees
Director Napolitano stated at the July meeting the Committee considered flat engineering review
and inspection fees for development reviews only, not for capital projects. At that time the
Committee directed Staff to draft an ordinance amending the Subdivision Control and
Development Ordinance to reflect tne changes.
Staff is requesting the Committee recommend to Council the amendment to the Subdivision
Control and I)evelopment Ordinance incorporating flat engineering and review fees, for
developments <�nly. Upon Council consideration, the matter would then have to be reviewed at a
Public Hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission.
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Community Development Committee Meeting
August 28, 2007
Page 2
`" Motion by Santi, seconded by Wimmer, to recommend to Council consideration of an
amendment to the City's Subdivision Control and Development Ordinance incorporating flat
engineering and review fees for developments, subject to review by the City Attorney.
Voting Aye: Condon, Santi, Wimmer.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion canied.
Discussion Regarding Fences on Double Frontase Lots
Director Napolitano informed the Committee that over the past few years the Council has
considered several requests for fence variances on double frontage lots. Because of noise and
safety issues, t}iese variances have inevitably been granted with little discussion. At Council's
direction, Staff and the Community Development Committee are reviewing the existing fence
regulations and considering allowing fences on double frontage lots under certain conditions.
Staff supports a change in the fence regulations to allow fencing on double frontage lots, subject
to the following conditions:
1. Vehicular access to the lot must be limited to one street only;
2. No chain link style fencing would be allowed. Styles such as board-on-board, solid wood
or vinyl, picket or wrought iron/aluminum are acceptable;
3. Maximum allowable height of fence would be 6 feet.
�. Alderman Wimmer suggested that Council and Staff discourage developers from creating double
frontage lots. City Planner Jurs suggested fencing issues be addressed in subdivision covenants
or design guidelines in an effort to resolve fencing issues for property owners at the outset.
Chairman Alderman Condon believes it is more aesthetically pleasing to have uniform fencing
throughout a subdivision. Alderman Condon suggested the developers be given the option of
"no double frontage lots" or"provide uniform fences throughout." Alderman Santi suggested a
uniform fence or berm. City Planner Jurs suggested utilizing the wording "or an equivalent
alternative."
Director Napolitano pointed out that while aesthetically pleasing a wrought iron fence doesn't
block noise. City Planner Jurs suggested solid wood and board-on-board fencing be permitted
by a Municipal Code text amendment, but vinyl and wrought iron fences would still necessitate a
Council variance.
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Santi, to change the fence regulations to a11ow fencing on
double frontage lots, subject to the following conditions:
1. Vehicular access to the lot must be limited to one street only;
2. No chain link style fencing would be allowed. Permitted styles include board-on-board,
solid w��od or vinyl, and picket.
a. ,avrought iron/aluminum fence would still require a variance from Council
3. Maximi�m fence height of 6-feet.
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Community Development Committee Meeting
August 28, 2007
Page 3
�-' Voting.�ye: Condon, Santi, Wimmer.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Director Napolitano informed the Committee that double frontage lots will be discouraged in the
Comprehensive Plan. He stated that the Comprehensive Plan will encourage developers, during
the development process,to design subdivision layouts either:
1. without double frontage lots; or
2. make double frontage lots deeper than other lots in the subdivision by thirty feet; or
3. require developers to put landscaping along the backs of double frontage lots; or
4. have the developer install uniform fencing along the backs of all double frontage lots.
Review of Zoning Code.Nonconformities
Director Napolitano informed the Committee that Staff is continuing to review the Zoning
Ordinance in an effort to update terms and make the language more user-friendly.
Director Napolitano stated the purpose of nonconforming regulations is to allow the continuation
of(under certain circumstances) and provide for the ultimate elimination of nanconforming uses.
Director Napolitano explained there are two types of nonconformities, uses and standards. A
nonconforming use is a use that is no longer allowed in the district in which it is located. A
structure with nonconforming standards is a building or structure that does not meet the bulk
�. requirements of the district in which it is located. Typically, nonconforming uses and structures
are allowed to continue provided there is no expansion or alteration. Normal repair and
maintenance is usually allowed. Once a nonconforming use is discontinued for a certain period
of time, the same use cannot be reintroduced to the site.
Director Napolitano noted that some of the issues Staff would like to address regarding
nonconformities include:
• Elimination of Design Nonconformities;
• Changes In or Discontinuance of Activity; and
• Administration.
Following a brief discussion and explanation from Director Napolitano it was the consensus of
the Committee that Staff should draft a text amendment to change the language of Article XVII,
Nonconformin�; Uses, in the Zoning Ordinance and return to Committee for review at the ne�
meeting of the Community Development Committee.
Director's Report
Director Napo+itano informed the Committee that a Public Hearing regarding annexation of
Brooke Estates on Ridge Road would be coming before Council. He stated that Brooke Estates
is a sma116-lot subdivision zoned RS-1.
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Community Development Committee Meeting
August 28, 2007
Page 4
�-' Director Napolitano informed the Committee that recently he has received calls about the Pacini
property. The caller has inquired about commercial uses on the corner property and allowed uses
on the interior property. However, the caller has refused to provide information regarding the
party who is interested in the parcel.
New Business
Chairman Alderman Condon addressed the topic of redundancy of certain types of businesses
within the City limits which has arisen on a number of occasions. She inquired whether the
Committee had an interest in Staffprepaxing some information to address the matter and possible
regulation. City Planner Jurs informed the Committee that Staff is currently preparing an
assessment of service vs. retail establishments for presentation to the Committee.
City Planner Jurs informed Council that Staff is conferring with the City Attorney regarding the
solicitation by not-for-profit organizations on privately owned property and public property and
the possible limitation/regulation of such solicitation. It was noted that, in the past, the matter
was regulated by the City Clerk's office.
Director Napolitano informed the Committee that every year the City is approached, around the
holiday season, by the large retail stores in the City limits, regarding the storage of a semi-trailer
for product on their property, usually located behind their building. It was the consensus that
there was no issue involved as the sale of product generated sales t� for the City, particularly
during the holiday season. Alderman Wimmer suggested the matter go directly to Council under
�, the heading of Holiday Temporary Use, not-to-exceed ninety(90) days.
Alderman Wimmer informed the Committee that he noticed flooring has been delivered to the
property located at John Street and Route 31 and construction is ongoing.
Adiournment
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Santi, to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m.
Voting.4ye: Condon, Santi, Wimmer.
Voting Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
� �
eri Condon, ('hairman
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