October 09 Minutes
Planning Commission Minutes –October 7, 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: Ash, Robinette, Michel, Burton, Roudebush, Gaskins,
and Ferrell
Members Absent: Adler & Arnold.
MINUTES
The minutes of the September 2, 2009 meeting were approved as submitted.
LOBBY VISITATION
None.
S-DISTRICT SITE PLAN
For parking area at Heritage Corner Campus at 1069 Klotz Road.
Rick Ketzenbarger, Planning Director, said that this Plan was filed properly. He said the Heritage is asking for approval of an S-District Site Plan to allow them to flip their green space and parking areas. He said that this item is so minor that it could have been approved administratively except for the fact that they are asking for a waiver to allow the parking lot to encroach 4 feet into the required 5 foot north side yard setback.
Ketzenbarger said that the Planning Department has received a letter from two adjacent owners, Robert Maurer and the Children’s Resource Center, stating they support the
S-District Site Plan.
Robinette stated that the waiver is for such a minor change that he would like the Commission to make a recommendation to City Council now instead of setting it for Public Hearing.
Roudebush commented that he is concerned that the front ends of the vehicles parking in the lot will actually be hanging over onto the adjacent lot being that close to the property line.
Ketzenbarger said that is remedied by the use of bumper blocks.
The Commission agreed to act on this issue instead of setting it for Public Hearing.
Robinette moved, Gaskins seconded, that this S-District Site Plan be recommended to City Council. Motion carried unanimously.
Planning Commission Minutes –October 7, 2009 Page 2
PLAN
Bicycle Implementation Plan.
Ketzenbarger said that the Bicycle Safety Commission set out to have Bowling Green regain the status of a Bicycle Friendly Community. He said that after several meetings the Commission decided to separate the Bicycle Plan from the required application for the Bicycle Friendly Community status. He said in doing so, the Bicycle Safety Commission suggested several revisions to various City Ordinances relating to bicycles.
He also said that the Bicycle Safety Commission made changes to their website and has requested changes to the adopted bike routes and pamphlets will be distributed in kiosks along the Slippery Elm Trail and at local bicycle shops.
Ash asked why the Plan is now before the Planning Commission.
Ketzenbarger said that all Plans must go before the
Planning Commission in order to be approved, otherwise it cannot be a
legitimate Plan. He said that it is recommended that the Planning
Commission set this for Public Hearing in order to obtain public input
on the Plan.
The Commission set this item for Public Hearing at the November 4th meeting.
ORDINANCE REVISION
Concerning parking requirements.
Ketzenbarger said that there has been a comprehensive, ongoing review of the parking code. He said that 28 comparable communities were looked at and then using that data our parking code was revised. He said that now there are three changes to the code that are being requested.
He said one change is regarding automotive sales. He said currently it is 1 space per 200 square feet, plus 1 per 1000 square feet of exterior area and the revision would be 1 space per 200 square feet.
He said that another change would be to add Section 150.03 to define a Retail Center and amend Section 150.59(A) to include a requirement of 1 space for every 300 square feet for Commercial, non-automobile properties. He said this change is proposed due to a large amount of unused parking spaces at these developments.
Ketzenbarger said that the third change being proposed is for Medical or Dental Clinics. He said that currently the code says there must be 1 space per 200 square feet or 3 per examroom; whichever is larger plus, 1 per employee at peak shift. He said the change would be to require 1 space per 200 square feet.
Planning Commission Minutes –October 7, 2009 Page 3
Robinette said that he believes the changes are reasonable. He said that the only one that he would want to see altered would be the one for Retail Centers. He said that if the minimum of 100,000 square feet is adequate for a multi-shopping center then it should be adequate for a stand-alone retail establishment. He said that gives opportunity to allow for less asphalt.
Ketzenbarger said that the Administration would have no objection to that suggestion.
Robinette moved, Roudebush seconded, that the definition of retail centers be changed to read: One or more commercial establishment located in a single structure of a minimum size of 100,000 square feet. Motion carried unanimously.
The Commission set this item for Public Hearing at the November 4, 2009 meeting.
PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION
Waterline replacement projects.
Gaskins moved, Ferrell seconded, that the Public Construction be approved. Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT
Representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Ketzenbarger reported that there were two requests. He said one was tabled and one was approved.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________
Chairperson Vice-Chairperson
