December 2009 PC Minutes

Planning Commission Minutes –December 2, 2009            Page 1

The Planning Commission met on the above date at 7:30 p.m. in the Administrative Services Building, 304 North Church Street, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Members Present:  Adler, Robinette, Burton, Ash, Roudebush, Michel, Gaskins,

                                           and Ferrell.

Members Absent:  Arnold.

MINUTES

The minutes of the November 4, 2009 meeting were approved as submitted.

LOBBY VISITATION:  None.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Ordinance Revision to Sections 150.03, 150.10 (F), 150.16 & 150.28 concerning B-1, Neighborhood Commercial uses.

Heather Sayler, Acting Planning Director, said that this is a name change from Neighborhood Commercial to Limited Commercial.  She said that the intent is to provide a more restricted district than the existing B-2 District by eliminating certain uses such as bars, taverns, dance halls, etc. 

Ash opened the Public Hearing and hearing no questions or comments, he closed the Public Hearing.

Roudebush moved, Adler seconded, that the Planning Commission recommend this ordinance revision to City Council.

Roudebush requested that tattoo parlors be included in the prohibited uses in the B-1, Limited Commercial district.  He mentioned that it would also like the exclusions expanded to such things as adult entertainment.

Matt Reger, City Attorney, said that the adult entertainment portion of his request is already handled through a separate ordinance.

  Motion carried unanimously.

Ordinance Revision to Sections 150.40(C)(2), 150.40(C)(15), 150.40(C)(17) & 510.41 concerning the S-District Site Plan Process.  

Sayler said that the S-District Site Plan process was tedious and time consuming.  She said that this revision would clean up the process by allowing Administrative approval of Plans that are fully compliant.

Planning Commission Minutes –December 2, 2009            Page 2

Roudebush stated that he is concerned that the Planning Department cannot be relied upon to request certain items from the developers that the Planning Commission has in the past.

Sayler said that by the time the Planning Commission see S-Plans the staff, including utilities and protective services, have already reviewed the Plan and submitted required changes to the developer.

Reger said that the items that had been requested by the Planning Commission were agreements made between the developer and the Commission.  He said that the developers were not legally held to the agreements that were made to fully compliant plans anyway; they were merely recommendations from the Commission. 

Ash opened the Public Hearing and hearing no questions or comments, he closed the Public Hearing. 

Gaskins moved, Adler seconded, that the Ordinance Revision be recommended to City Council. 

Roudebush said that he is reluctant to vote for this revision.

Robinette stated that as he understands the rules is that fully compliant plans have to legally be approved regardless.  He said that as this ordinance revision would however still require City Council to review Plans that were requesting any sort of waivers or subdividing of parcels.

Sayler said that is correct.

Robinette requested that the Planning Commission be notified of any S-Plans that are approved administratively in order to stay informed.

Gaskins moved, Burton seconded, that the language be amended to be consistent with the intent to streamline fully compliant plans by allowing them to be approved administratively and then sent to City Council.  Motion carried unanimously.

TABLED ITEM

Bicycle Implementation Plan

Sayler said that the Planning Commission held the Public Hearing for this item at the last meeting and now John Fawcett, Municipal Administrator/Safety Director, has approved the revised map. 

Roudebush moved, Gaskins seconded, that the Bicycle Implementation Plan be recommended to City Council.  Motion carried unanimously.

Planning Commission Minutes –December 2, 2009            Page 3

ANNEXATION

For 3.11 acres on the south side of Conneaut Avenue, east of Mitchell Road from Plain Township.  James and Patricia Smith, petitioners. 

The Planning Commission set this item for Public Hearing at its January 6, 2010 meeting.

REPORT

Representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Adler said there is no report; the November meeting was cancelled. 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

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Chairperson                                                                 Secretary