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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-18-11 PC Minutes M I N U T E S REGULAR MEETING JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS PLANNING COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL City Council Chambers July 18, 2011 A Regular Meeting and Joint Public Hearings were held on July 18, 2011 with the following members present: Commission members present: Chairman Lynda Kay Makin Vice Chairman Patrick Gibbs Commissioner Glenn Bodwin Commissioner Sina Nejad Commissioner Marty Craig Commissioner Walter Kyles Commissioner Lauren Williams Mason Commissioner Clint Walters Commissioner Bill Little Commission members absent: Commissioner Steven Johnson Commissioner Eddie Senigaur Commissioner Frank Messina Councilmembers present: Mayor Becky Ames Mayor Pro-Tem Jamie D. Smith Councilman-at-Large W. L. Pate Councilmember Alan Coleman Councilman Audwin Samuel Councilman Mike Getz Councilmembers absent: Councilmember-at-Large Gethrel Williams-Wright Also present: Steve Richardson, Planning Manager; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney Chris Boone, Community Development Director (Commissioner Mason left the chamber.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve the minutes of the Joint Public Hearings held June 20, 2011. Vice-Chairman Gibbs seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. REGULAR MEETING Planning Commission July 18, 2011 1) Revised Preliminary Plat - Diamond D Ranch, Phase 2: Consider the Revised Plat of Diamond D Ranch, Phase 2; 33.04 acres out of the James Gerish, Sr. League, A-25. Applicant: Fittz & Shipman, Inc. Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. In March, 2009, the Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat for the subject property. However, Phase 2 was not developed. The developer is now submitting a new plat with an increase in the number of lots. Lots in Blocks 4 and 5 have been reduced in size from a typical lot size of over 0.7 acres to 0.5 acres. Phase 2 consists of 33.04 acres and will be developed into 59 single family lots. Michelle and Christina Lanes will be constructed with curb and gutter and underground storm drainage. Diamond D Drive will continue with 10' drainage easements on each side of the street. Domestic water will be provided by the Meeker Municipal Utility District. Sanitary sewer will be provided by each homeowner by installation of individual aerobic treatment units. The applicant is requesting several variances. All of these variances were approved by the Planning Commission in 2009 except for one. Since the original request, the Subdivision Regulations have been amended to require sidewalks along all residential streets. The developer is requesting a waiver of the sidewalk requirement along Michelle and Christina Lanes. Mr. Richardson recommended approval subject to the following conditions:  Label the west segment of Michelle Lane  Sidewalks shall be installed along the east side of Diamond D Drive and along both sides of Michelle and Christina Lanes and with variances to the maximum cul-de-sac length for Michelle Lane and Christina Lane; the construction of a temporary turn-around at the south end of Diamond D Drive; direct driveway access to Diamond D Drive; the maximum block lengths, sidewalk waiver along the west side of Diamond D Drive and installation of street lights. (Commissioner Mason returned to chamber.) 2 Planning Commission July 18, 2011 Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve the Revised Preliminary Plat of Diamond D Ranch, Phase 2 subject to the following conditions:  Label the west segment of Michelle Lane  Sidewalks shall be installed along the east side of Diamond D Drive and along both sides of Michelle and Christina Lanes and with variances to the maximum cul-de-sac length for Michelle Lane and Christina Lane; the construction of a temporary turn-around at the south end of Diamond D Drive; direct driveway access to Diamond D Drive; the maximum block lengths, sidewalk waiver along the west side of Diamond D Drive and installation of street lights. Commissioner Kyles seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 8:0. JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS Mayor Ames called the Joint Public Hearings of July 18, 2011 to order and explained the purpose of the joint hearing process and then turned the meeting over to Chairman Makin. Chairman Makin explained the policies and procedures for the hearing process. (Commissioner Bodwin arrived.) 2) File 2097-Z/P: Request for a zone change from RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling-Highest Density) District to HI (Heavy Industrial) District. Location: 2050-2060 Angelina Street Applicant: Coastal Welding Management, Inc. Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. James Mazoch, President of Coastal Welding Management, Inc., states that the subject property would be used by Coastal Specialty Gas and Coastal Welding Supply to warehouse goods sold by both companies. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request. Twenty-two notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. 3 Planning Commission July 18, 2011 Three responses in opposition and none in favor were returned. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Makin opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant=s comments. Chuck Mazoch, the applicant, addressed the Commission and answered questions. Chairman Makin asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. Chairman Makin closed the public hearing. Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve a zone change from RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling-Highest Density) District to HI (Heavy Industrial) District at 2050-2060 Angelina Street as requested in File 2097-Z. Commissioner Mason seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. 2) File 780-OB: Request for an amendment to Chapter 28, Section 28.04.003, Sign Regulations, to allow animated electronic reader board signs at schools. Applicant: City of Beaumont Planning Division Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. This item is a request for amendments to Chapter 28, Section 28.04.003, Sign Regulations, to allow animated electronic reader board signs at schools. BISD installed a new sign at Ozen High School that includes an electronic reader board sign. The school would like the electronic reader board to be able to have flashing, flowing, alternating or blinking lights or animation and in multi-colors. At a workshop with the Planning Commission and City Council on June 20, staff was asked to make recommendations. Staff was also asked to research studies to determine what kind of distractions, if any, animated signs might cause. In determining staff=s recommendation, a number of studies were reviewed. While most of the reports deal with electronic LED billboards and their effects on driver distraction, those findings can be extrapolated to apply to 4 Planning Commission July 18, 2011 any type of electronic LED reader board sign. Staff found three specific studies particularly useful. These studies found that there a number of variables that affect driver distraction. Jerry Wachtel, who is often cited as A the expert @ in a number of studies says that too many variables contribute to traffic accidents to make it possible to provide causality from a single source. Both internal distractions such as cell phones, navigational systems and DVD players and external distractions such as signs that change messages add to traffic safety hazards. Mr. Wachtel says that both internal and external distractions contribute to traffic safety hazards that he believes are growing increasingly worse. Another study showed that taking one=s eyes off the road for more than two seconds for any reason not directly related to driving significantly increased individual near crash/crash risk by at least two times that of normal, baseline driving. The Scenic America report states that on signs where messages change often, drivers will look to see what is new. Traditional signs become visual background noise for local drivers, and that have less safety impact; but electronic signs never blend into the background. While there is some difference of opinion on whether electronic reader board signs with moving images are a major distraction to drivers, staff takes the position that such signs are just one more distraction that has to be dealt with, especially in school zones, where the driver should have all eyes on the road. To accommodate the arts, Mr. Richardson recommended that electronic reader board signs at public and private schools be allowed multicolor signs but leave the rest of the sign ordinance as is. Discussion followed between staff, the Commission and Council. Chairman Makin opened the public hearing and asked for comments. No comments were made. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Nejad made a motion to approve amendments to Chapter 28, Section 28.04.003, Sign Regulations, to allow animated electronic reader board signs at schools as follows: 5 Planning Commission July 18, 2011 3. Sec. 28.04.003(b)(1) be amended as follows: (C) The sign shall not have flashing lights, any type of intermittent illumination or revolve in any manner, except as allowed below: (i) Electronic reader board signs shall not be permitted, except as an attachment to or a part of a detached owner identification sign. (ii) The message copy may change no more than once every five (5) minutes. (iii) Message copy shall not include any flashing, flowing, alternating or blinking lights or animation. (iv) Message copy shall be one (1) color. (v) As measured at the property line, the maximum light emanation from a sign shall be no greater than 0.2 footcandles. (vi) Electronic reader board signs shall not be permitted in an historic district. (vii) Electronic reader board signs that are part of a detached owner identification sign that serves a public or private school shall be allowed to have multiple colors. 2. Sec. 28.04.003(b)(3) be amended as follows: (D) The sign shall not have any flashing lights, any type of intermittent illumination or revolve in any manner, except as allowed below: (i) Electronic reader board signs shall not be permitted if approved as part of the specific use permit. (ii) The message copy may change no more than once every five (5) minutes. (iii) Message copy shall not include any flashing, flowing, alternating or blinking lights or animation. (iv) Message copy shall be one color. (v) As measured at the property line, the maximum light 6 Planning Commission July 18, 2011 emanation from a sign shall be no greater than 0.2 footcandles. (vi) Electronic reader board signs shall not be permitted in an historic district. (vii) Electronic reader board signs that are part of a detached owner identification sign that serves a public or private school shall be allowed to have multiple colors. 3. Sec. 28.04.003(c)(1) be amended as follows: (C) The sign shall not have any flashing lights, any type of intermittent illumination or revolve in any manner, except as allowed below: (i) Electronic reader board signs shall not be permitted, except as an attachment to or a part of a detached owner identification sign. (ii) The message copy may change no more than once every five (5) minutes. (iii) Message copy shall not include any flashing, flowing, alternating or blinking lights or animation. (iv) Message copy shall be one (1) color. (v) As measured at the property line, the maximum light emanation from a sign shall be no greater than 0.2 footcandles. (vi) Electronic reader board signs that are part of a detached owner identification sign that serves a public or private school shall be allowed to have multiple colors. 4. Sec. 28.04.003(c)(5) be amended as follows: (5) Electronic reader board signs shall be permitted in the GC-MD, GC-MD-2, CBD, C-M, LI, HI and PD Districts subject to the following conditions: (A) The electronic reader board is to be attached to or a 7 Planning Commission July 18, 2011 part of a detached owner identification sign. (B) The message copy may change no more than once every five (5) minutes. (C) Message copy shall not include any flashing, flowing, alternating or blinking lights or animation. (D) Message copy shall be limited to one (1) color. (E) As measured at the property line, the maximum light emanation from a sign shall be no greater than 0.2 footcandles. (F) No more than sixty (60) square feet of fifty (50) percent of the maximum sign area, whichever is less, shall be dedicated to electric changeable copy. (G) Electronic reader board signs that are part of a detached owner identification sign that serves a public or private school shall be allowed to have multiple colors. Vice-Chairman Gibbs seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 9:0. OTHER BUSINESS THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:51 P. M. 8