Kentwood Committees & Boards
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Minutes for 03/24/2009APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
MARCH 24, 2009, 7:30 P.M.
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
A. Chair Winczewski called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner VanderHoff.
C. Roll Call:
Members Present: Betsy Artz, Dan Holtrop, Laurie Sheldon, Frank Vander Hoff, Don Yokom, Johngerlyn Young and Chris Winczewski.
Members Absent: Maurice Groce (with notification)
Others Present: City Attorney Jeff Sluggett, Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer, Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder, Planner Joe Pung, Staff Secretary Monique Collier, the press and the applicants.
Motion by Commissioner Artz, supported by Commissioner Sheldon, to excuse Commissioner Groce from the meeting.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent -
D. Approval of the Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Sheldon, supported by Commissioner Artz, to approve the Minutes of March 10, 2009.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent -
E. Approval of the Agenda
Schweitzer added under New Business to set the public hearing date of April 28, 2009 for Case #5-09 Holland Home Breton Manor Extended Care ? Final Site Plan Review located N. side of 44th St. East of Breton Ave.; Section 22, SW 1/4
Motion by Commissioner Artz, supported by Commissioner Young, to approve the agenda for the March 24, 2009 meeting with addition noted.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent -
F. Acknowledge visitors wishing to speak to non-agenda items.
Pat McDonald gave a brief presentation of the 2010 Census. She stated the Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and it has been done every 10 years since 1790 and has never been missed for any reason. She stated so many things are decided based upon the census and the desire to get a complete and accurate count is important. She stated on April 20, 2009 Address Canvassers will be going out and reviewing all the residences across the nation to put together their comprehensive mailing list. She stated this time next year 310 million pieces of mail surveys will be put in the mail. She stated there will only be 10 questions on the 2010 census. She stated it will ask first name, last name, if you are the head of household, status of your residence, who else lives in the household and your ethnicity that is optional. She stated the other questions the census gathers has been broken out and is now collected under the Auspices of the American Community Survey. She stated there are several other major surveys that are run by the census bureau based on sub sets that are scientifically selected to reflect the entire population which are questions to establish the unemployment count, questions about roads cars, spending habits etc, but that data is collected separately and those surveys are done all the time. She stated the census is used to determine many different factors and is important to get a good count.
G. Old Business
There was no Old Business
H. Public Hearing
Case # 3-09 - Carnival at Woodland Mall ? Site Plan Review for an Outdoor Recreational Facility located at 3195 28th Street SE Between Dunhill Formal Wear & Sears Auto Zone
Planner Golder introduced the request. She stated the applicant will no longer have the 40 foot telescoping light; they will provide security and if there is a problem they will get additional security, they have talked to police and fire. The carnival also got a permit from the airport for the rides that are 80 feet tall. Golder stated she is recommending conditional approval of the site plan dated May 3, 2003 for an outdoor recreation facility carnival. Approval is conditioned on conditions 1-10 and basis points1-9 in her staff recommendation.
Chair Winczewski opened the public hearing.
There was no public comment.
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Artz to close the public hearing.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent ?
Vice-Chair Sheldon stated her concerns are the noise of the generators, parking being congested since there is only one way in and out and the dumpster location. Sonya Skerbeck stated they have events all the time and they are very sensitive when working with the community. Skerbeck stated they have state of the art generators which are high technology new pieces of equipment. Skerbeck stated as far as congestion there may be some congestion getting people in and out. If it appears to be the case they can have their security help direct traffic to get patrons in and out in the most orderly and safe way possible. She stated people may park over at Sears Auto as well. She stated as far as the dumpster, they can put it wherever they would like, it?s not a problem.
Commissioner Yokom stated he thinks it will be a nice event for the community and if there are problems they will be worked out for next year.
Commissioner Artz stated she is impressed with what they have done and she is for the project.
Motion by Commissioner Artz, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to grant conditional approval of the site plan dated May 3, 2003 for an outdoor recreation facility carnival as described in Case No. 3-09. Approval is conditioned on conditions 1-10 with condition 8 to read the proposed dumpster for the carnival area shall be screened from 28th Street either behind Dunhill or in the immediate vicinity of the living quarters and basis points 1-9.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent -
Case #1-09 ? Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments relating to billboards
Director Schweitzer introduced the request. He stated the request is to allow for electronic technologies to be utilized in billboard display. He stated the feedback from the planning commission was there will be limited allowance; and not to make it available city wide but to focus the allowance to the C-4 area that has frontage on interstate 96. Schweitzer stated there is a definition for Tri-vision Billboards.
Mike Hucul with CBS partners was present. He stated the allowance for a digital billboard will allow for a direct link to Amber Alerts and national emergencies.
Schweitzer stated CBS offered they would remove four non-conforming signs within the community; but staff isn?t clear as to how it will be accomplished. He stated staff is working with CBS to try to strengthen that aspect of the recommendation. He stated aside from that staff is comfortable with the direction from the planning commission and what has been presented.
Winczewski opened the public hearing.
There was no public comment.
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Artz to close the public hearing.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent -
Commissioner Holtrop stated the ordinance addresses the movement with electronic messages and thinks it should also address it for electronic trivision; how often they can rotate. Schweitzer stated that needs to be clarified. Holtrop asked before a billboard is constructed would they have to come before the commission. Schweitzer stated that it is a special land use whether it was in I-1,C-2 or C-4. Holtrop asked about the consideration to prohibit white background as opposed to the non white. Schweitzer stated staff feels if the brightness aspect is addressed and there is a good standard that is also enforceable, that should address any concern with white background. Holtrop asked where in the ordinance the 5 minute minimum time period between messages on trivision should be put. Schweitzer stated it will be added under 15.03.I and have a specific provision that will address the time limitation as it would apply to any billboard.
Commissioner Yokom was concerned about the flatbed trucks that ride by with the roving portable billboard that you can pull into the mall and park. Yokom wondered if this is something that should be addressed under another heading. Attorney Sluggett stated we have never had that come up. Sluggett stated this would be more of an enforcement issue. Sluggett stated he thinks there is adequate text in the zoning ordinance to address it; it would be a matter of taking a complaint and prosecuting it.
Winczewski stated he is concerned about the luminance standards. He stated he thinks 5,000 is too bright. He stated he thinks we are doing this early in terms of what other communities are doing. He stated he thinks there are a number of things we are waiting for on billboards. Winczweski?s concern is if we implement this and within the 6 months to 1 year we find more stringent restrictions are warranted. Attorney Sluggett stated he thinks it would qualify as a lawful non conforming use. Sluggett stated he also thinks at some point the billboard industry will be coming to the city asking to change the timing more frequently than every five minutes and at that point would be a good time to do some trading. Winczewsk stated one of his main concerns is safety. Mr. Hucul stated he will work with a lower brightness standard.
Mike Hucul stated that when it becomes cloudy or stormy there is an automatic sensor on the LED billboard sign at US 131 and 28th Street that will adjust to the lighting accordingly. Mr. Hucul stated that sensor sometimes struggles with being on daylight or night time. He said they sometimes get a phone call or they notice it themselves and will call Spokane to make the adjustments.
Discussion Ensued
Winczewski suggested tabling until April 14, 2009 to fine tune the aspect of dealing with brightness and get more clarity on the non conforming. Winczewski stated we would like to see some text changes for trivision illumination and non conforming.
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner to table Case #1-09 Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments to the April 14, 2009 meeting.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent -
Structures and Improvements Plan (SIP)
Planner Golder stated one amendment is that the golf driving range should be re-classified as an unscheduled project rather than a 2012 project.
Chair Winczewski opened the public hearing.
There was no public comment.
Motion by Commissioner Artz, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to close the public hearing.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent -
Motion by Commmissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz to recommend Structures and Improvements Plan to the City Commission with the Golf Practice Range to be re-classified as an unscheduled project.
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent -
I. Work Session
Case #4-09 - Kentwood Branch Library ? Site Plan Review located directly south of 4900 Breton Avenue (City Hall)
Planner Pung introduced the request. He stated in 2008 the City of Kentwood residents approved a millage of .35 mills for the construction and maintenance of a public library. He stated this is a site plan review for a 45,230 square foot public library building which will be replacing the existing library on Kalamazoo. He stated that one of the only issues is specifying a lot combination/modification to place it on one lot, it is currently located on two. He stated we also have to verify turning radius for a transit bus to enter and exit the site and add information to the external lighting plan. He stated there are some location constraints with regards to the location of the library. He stated the inactive landfill to the east and the utility corridor that runs west of the proposed library constrains where the library building can be located.
Holtrop asked for more color details of the library for the next meeting. Kepley stated the building will be masonry block colors. They are still working on the type of block. Kepley stated they have two large radius walls that are attention getters that will be made out of limestone. Kelpley stated the face of the building will be masonry block. Kepley stated on the east side facing the airport that will be mainly glass. He stated it will be a two story library with a one story raised roof for the community room. Holtrop asked if there is a reason the community room does not have windows. Kepley stated there are windows facing east, there is going to be patio extension for the community room in case patrons want to rent it for wedding rehearsal etc. or it will be used by the library if the patrons want to check out materials and go outside. Kepley stated where the children?s area is located they will be able to take them outside to be able to have projects outside.
Commissioner Yokom asked what kind of access they will have to get into the library. Kepley stated there will be two entrances from Breton and South of the entrance to the high pressure water tower.
Chair Winczewski asked if we plan to have buses stop in the Library. Kepley stated there is a request to see if the bus route can be changed to incorporate going through the parking lot of the library. Winczewski?s concern was the north and south walls. He stated they look unattractive. He stated the west and east elevations look nice other than looking a little boxy. Winczewski stated he was thinking the north and south walls could be broken up with some architectural detail, maybe a variation in the brick. Kepley stated the brick that is being used as a 2x8 inch brick limestone granite base. Pung stated there will be a lot of landscaping along that south side which is another way to break up a building in addition to having them offset it so it is not one continuous line landscaping and building material. Winczewski stated he wanted to make sure we are consistent as to what we make others do. Kepley stated they could possibly put more windows in on the north elevation. He noted that the south wall is designed to be curved.
Commissioner Yokom asked if we will be using geothermal for heating. Kepley stated we are doing heat pumps with energy recovery units. Yokom asked about any solar type panels or wind turbines. Kepley stated they have looked into them and if someone wants to donate funds for these specific features they could be added. He stressed the limitations on the funding for this project they can spend money. Kepley stated they will have a green roof, not with vegetation but rather a white pvc liner that helps with heat.
Winczewski stated he is disappointed with the parking in the front, but he understands with this site plan that it will be very difficult to put the building in front of the parking. He stated he doesn?t think it should change.
J. New Business
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Art, to set a public hearing date of April 28, 2009 for Case #5-09 Holland Home Breton Manor Extended Care ? Final Site Plan review located N. side of 44th St. East of Breton Ave.; Section 22, SW ?
- Motion Carried (7-0) ?
- Groce absent
K. Other Business
1. Master Plan
Schweitzer stated he didn?t get feedback back from the commissioners as to what they feel would be top priorities in terms of updating the plan. Schweitzer suggested a subcommittee take a look at it and come back with a recommendation on how to proceed.
Winczewski suggested the Division Avenue Corridor subcommittee take a look at it, with the goal of organizing and structuring conversation for a sub-committee meeting.
Discussion Ensued
Artz suggested having the subcommittee meeting after the planning commission meeting on April 14, 2009
Yokom, Young and Artz are the committee members for the Division Avenue Corridor.
2. Commissioners? Comments
Winczewski stated he may not be at the meeting April 14, 2009 due to the fact of his wife?s pregnancy.
Winczewski welcomed the new Press representatives for the Advance Newspapers and the Grand Rapids Press.
3. Staff?s Comments
Schweitzer invited the commissioners to attend a free workshop Kent County Land Bank Authority ;Thursday March 26, 2009 2:00pm at the Kent County Board of Commissioners Chambers.
L. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Artz, to adjourn the meeting.
- Motion Carried (8-0) ?
- Groce absent -
Meeting adjourned at 9:05p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Yokom, Secretary
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