PC Minutes June 2010

Planning Commission Minutes – June 2, 2010

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:  Arnold, Hess, Michel, Ash, Burton and Robinette.

Members Absent:   Ferrell and Gaskins.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Galen Ash welcomed new Commission member Gary Hess and opened up the nominations for officers.

Julie Burton nominated Greg Robinette as chair of the Planning Commission.  Barbara Arnold seconded the nomination. Motion carried unanimously.

Robinette nominated Ash as Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission.  Hess seconded the nomination.  Motion carried unanimously.

Robinette moved, Arnold seconded, to appoint Burton as the Planning Commission’s representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Motion carried unanimously.

MINUTES

The minutes of the May 5, 2010 meeting were approved as submitted, by unanimous voice vote.

LOBBY VISITATION: 

Mayor John Quinn said he has a name for the remaining Planning Commission vacancy and will ask Council to appoint this person on Monday.  He thanked Ash for his service to the City as chair and welcomed new member Hess and his long-time experience serving the City.

PUBLIC HEARING

For S-District Site Plan for Skate Park at City Park, on Conneaut Avenue.

Acting Planning Director Heather Sayler provided a brief description of the proposed skate park location and stated the S-District Site Plan is fully compliant and has been signed by the required staff. 

Michelle Grigore, Director of Parks and Recreation, described the location of the skate park to be near the existing in-line skating rink. She described the history as to how the movement to build a skate park was started several years ago by teens coming to the Parks and Recreation asking for one. 

Stuart Stearns, 854 Country Club, is a neighbor adjacent to the park and a frequent user.  He said he is in favor of the skate park, but opposed the location.  He said he wanted Planning Commission to be aware of the affects of the proposed skate park location. 

First of all, he is concerned with the parking lot.  The skate park is taking a large portion of the existing parking lot.  He counted 63 spaces and said 50 spaces are being taken out. 

He said this parking lot fills up on a regular basis, even by city employees, and he said it is even more problematic during events at the park.  He also said eliminating most of this parking area does not make the restrooms easily handicapped accessible.  He was also concerned about the accessibility of delivery trucks and city trash haulers to the smaller parking area.  His last concern was where a future expansion of the skate park would go.

Grigore said some of the parking is being lost and was unsure of the current number of parking spaces, just that 16 would remain.  She said the parking lot has turned into more of a storage area for mulch, stone and equipment.  It made the most sense to locate the skate park at City Park, which is the most multi-generational park, near the in-line skating rink, and students already pass the park going to and from school.  She said there is parking across from the restrooms that is handicapped accessible.  She also said during heavier traffic days, which tends to be when the pool is open, many people use the elementary school parking lot.  There is future parking located on the site plan by the Veteran’s Building that was approved on a prior S-District site plan.  She added the users of the skate park are normally non-drivers.

Robinette asked if they have considered future expansions.  Grigore said they would most likely make smaller skate parks in other spaces.  They do have a little room to go slightly closer to the in-line skating rink. 

Robinette asked about the capacity of the skate park.  Grigore said they anticipate up to a dozen people at one time and maybe up to 40 users in a year.

Michel asked about insurance for the skate park.  Grigore said the Recreational Immunity Act allow cities to have these type of facilities.  There are specific criteria to follow, such as regular inspections and posting a sign about the risk.

Arnold said when her son was younger and a skate boarder, she wished a skate park was within the city limits. She has never had a problem with parking at City Park and thinks it is a valuable opportunity to serve the needs of the kids.  Grigore added they have been concerned about kids skate boarding illegally and she has seen them in the streets.  This would allow law enforcement to send people to a safe and legal place to skate board.

Robinette asked Municipal Administrator John Fawcett about any conflicts he foresees with city vehicles and employees entering or utilizing the parking area.  He said no and thinks that people might be viewing city staff there at break times.  He appreciated the concerns brought forth tonight, but does agree that the skate park will be attracting the non-driving population and not increase the needs for more parking.

Ash said these are all legitimate concerns, but believes the need outweighs these at this time.

Burton moved, Arnold seconded, the recommendation to Council to approve the S-District Site Plan for the Skate Park to be located at City Park. Motion carried unanimously.

SUBDIVISION

For Re-Plat of Indian Trace Subdivision, located south of Sand Ridge, east of Rudolph, and north of Gypsy Lane.

Sayler said the re-plat is required because of the proposed change in zoning from R-1 Single-Family Residential to R-2 Single-Family Residential.  The proposed zoning change amends the front setback from 35’ to 25’ and thus, the re-plat is required to be recorded to reflect this proposed required setback change.  The City Attorney has indicated the owner may apply to re-plat the subdivision concurrently with the zoning change.  City Council has a public hearing scheduled Monday, June 7, 2010 to review the zoning change and it is anticipated they will vote that night.  Mr. Al Green, property owner and applicant, indicated they have a person interested in building as soon as possible and this is why they applied for the re-plat and zoning change concurrently.  Green was present to answer any questions.  Sayler also shared letters of support from Green and WSOS Community Action, an organization who owns four (4) lots in the subdivision.

Ash moved, Burton seconded, the motion to approve the re-plat of the Indian Trace Subdivision.  Motion carried unanimously.

REPORT

Representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Burton said there was no meeting in May. 

ADJOURNMENT

Hess moved, Arnold seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m.  Motion carried unanimously.