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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-05 PZC MINUTES• • • Plannin g an d Zoning Commissio n Study Session or Publi c Hearing Case #2009 -05 Jan uary 5, 2010 Page 1 of 6 CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING January 5, 2010 I. CALL TO ORDER ~ The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p .m. in the Community Development Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center, Chair Bleile presiding. Present: Absent: Staff: Bleile, Roth, King, Welker, Krieger, Knoth, Brick, Calonder Fish , Kinton (alternate) Alan White, Director, Community Development Tricia Lan gon , Senior Planner Nancy Reid , Assistant City Attorney II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 8, 2 009 Knoth moved : Brick seconded: TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 8, 2009 MINUTES Chair Bleile asked if there were any modifications or corrections . There were none. AYES: NAYS: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Bleile, Roth, Welker, Krieger, Knoth, King, Brick, Calonder Non e Non e Fish Motion carried. Ill. UDC SIGN CODE DEFINITION DISCUSSION t?l) Ms. Langon present ed proposed sign code definition changes. There were 6 7 or so definitions in the curr e nt Code that are of sign or sign related . She took those definitions and compared them w ith other jurisdictions, both in Colorado and out, and looked at se v eral Ameri ca n Pl annin g Association and sign company references and their professional organizations . The 6 7 or so definitions were reduced to 41 . Also, the definition of "sign " was rewritten . She reminded all that the definitions presented tonight are a first draft, not • • • Planning and Zonin g Commission Study Sess ion or Publi c Hearin g Case #2009-05 January 5, 2010 Page 2 of 6 the final copy. They can be adjusted as the Commission goes through this process. She noted the 41 definitions have been' grouped by category to make it easier to follow. She asked the Commission how they wanted to proceed; discuss all or just certain ones. Chair Bleile said he believes the thing that drives the rest of the discussion is the definition of a "sign". He stated he was very happy with the proposed definition. Ms. Krieger said Staff did a super job with an incredibly difficult task. Chair Bleile said if the Commission can agree to the definition of "sign", moving on to the different types of signs is probably a good next step. Mr. Brick noted on definition 39 he liked the option that was offered . Chair Bleile asked if anyone wanted discussion on general types of signs. Mr. Calonder stated Staff did an incredible job in simplifying the definitions. Ms. Langon thanked the Commission. Chair Bleile liked how the verbiage has been cleaned up. Ms. Langon said she tried to keep the "sign " definition broad and then in the definitions of the types of signs simplify the verbiage and remove things that dealt with standards rather than a definition. She stated she is working on the standards or specifications of each of the types of signs now. Chair Bleile asked about sandwich type boards in the back of a pick-up in front of a store in the street. Is that a temporary sign or a free-standing sign? Ms. Langon said under the current Sign Code that would be an illegal sign. She stated there is an entire section in the Code that deals with vehicles. What is allowed, what you want to allow and what you do not want to allow would be a good point of discussion at the next meeting. She stated she would bring photos. Chair Bleile asked if anyone had any comments regarding the definitions. Mr. Welker said he believed everyone felt the definitions were fine at this time, but may need to come back to some as the Commission starts evaluating other issues. Ms. Krieger said the only one she had a comment on was like LED and plasma screen signs. The sign , flashing and sign , animated categories may need to be adjusted or a new definition added. Ms. Langon said Staff has b ee n approached by a major sign company that has developed a presentation regarding LED signs. When the Commission gets to that point in discussions, it might be worthwhile for them to co me speak at a meeting. • • • Planning an d Zoning Commission Study Ses sio n or Public Hearing Cas e #2009-05 January 5 , 2010 Page 3 of 6 Other policy recommendations that the Commission needs to discuss are : 1. There is a separate sign code for the South Broadway area. It was created some 10 years ago ... was it useful, does it work? Should we go back to one code? 2. The new Medical District does not have sign code standards. Is it going to be continued as it is by policy now to use business district sign standards, or is that a separate district that needs a set of standards? 3. Temporary signs .... what yqu want to see and what you don 't want to see. The Sign Code updates discussion will continue at the January 201h meeting. Ms. Langon will bring photos of various sign examples to the meeting, Mr. Roth noted there was an excellent article in the April 2009 planning magazine the Commission receives on LED signs. @) Director White discussed the Alliance for Commerce recommendations regarding temporary sign code updates with the Commission. The Alliance for Commerce Board is an advisory body to City Council in matters affecting the business community. Discussion ensued . Ms. Reid noted there currently is a moratorium on enforcement of temporary signs in the City that ends on February 1, 2010. It is anticipated that Staff will bring forward to Council an extension of that moratorium to allow the Planning and Zoning Commission ample time to discuss and make possible changes to the sign code. There was discussion regarding whether the Commission would work on the entire sign code or only work on temporary signs . Most agreed the entire sign code is the only way to proceed. Ms. Langon said it would take approximately four to six months to complete the draft changes to the entire sign code. Mr. Calonder said if this process is going to take four to six months to complete, he felt the City should not burden the business community. If Planning and Zoning does not have a clear rul e and they need some relief there should be a moratorium until we do have a decision made. The other Commissioners agreed. Ms . Reid said the Commission could make a motion to that effect to be forwarded to City Council. Calonder moved : Krieger seconded : TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL THAT THE MORATORIUM ON ENFORCEMENT OF BANNER AND PORTABLE SIGNS BE • • • Planning and Zoning Commission Study Session or Public Hearing Case #2009 -05 Janu ary 5, 2010 P age 4 of 6 AYES: NAYS: ABSTAIN : ABSENT: EXTENDED FOR SIX MONTHS TO ALLOW THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TIME TO DISCUSS AND PREPARE POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS . Bleile, Roth, Welker, Krieger, King, Brick, Calonder None Knoth Fish Mr. Knoth abstained because he is undecided. Motion carried. Chair Bleile asked if there was any further discussion . There was not. He said ACE's recommendations will be incorporated into future discussions regarding sign code amendments. Mr. Roth asked Director White if it would be helpful for the Commissioners to listen to the recordings of the ACE meetings where the sign code recommendations were discussed to better understand where they are coming from. Director White said yes, it would be helpful. Staff will provide information to the Commissioner's on how to access the recordings . IV. PUBLIC FORUM e There was no public in attendance. V. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE e Director White said City Council would like to hold a joint meeting with Planning and Zoning in the near future . This year Council will attend one of the regularly scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meetings. VI. STAFF'S CHOICE ~ Ms . Langon noted future meeting agenda : January 2 0 th: Continue Sign Code discussion (Tricia Langon) February 2"d: Te ntative -Landscape amendments (Brook Bell) Ms. Langon asked the Commission if they would like to hold future meetings in the City Council Conference Room as that room is much larger and warmer. The Commission agreed they would like to meet in the larger room if it is available . Staff will check on availability. • • • Planning and Zoning Commission Study Sessio n or Public Hearing Case #2009-05 Janu ary 5 , 2010 P age 5 of 6 Ms. Langon provided a rundown of the 2010 work priorities that was discussed at a previous meeting. Director White stat ed the Medical District Phase II discussion will be coming to the Commission in the near future. Mr. John Voboril will present. Director White noted City Council extended the medical marijuana moratorium to June 17, 2010. VII. ATTORNEY'S CHOICE ~ Ms. Reid commented on the State's work concerning medical marijuana. She said there is a lot of work to be done before it is completed. At this point, it doesn't deal with zoning at all, which is traditionally a local issue. She stated the only major discussion for Planning and Zoning would be if the State ads a new definition, such as for dispensary. VIII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE ~ The talking points from Chair Bleile's testimony at the City Council meeting on Monday, January 4, 2010 were distributed to all. Discussion ensued. Chair Bleile asked if it would be possible to have a Facebook account for the City where residents could post comments . Director White said that issue is currently being discussed . Mr. Brick distributed an email he sent to Staff regarding medical marijuana and a police ride along he participated in. He also brought up the fact that very few people show up for the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearings. Ms . Krieger stated she would like to find a way to encourage more public input at the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearings. How do we get the information out to the public? How can we get feedback from the public to help us in our decision making? Discussion ensued. Mr. Welker stated he supports City Council's decision to extend the medical marijuana moratorium . Mr. Roth agreed with Mr. Welke r's comment. Planning and Zoning Commission Study Session or Public Hearing Case #2009-05 January 5 , 20 10 • Page6of6 Mr. Calonder noted he would not be in attendance at the January 201h meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m . • •