Kentwood Committees & Boards
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Minutes for 04/14/2009APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
APRIL 14, 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 Holtrop.
C. Roll Call:
Members Present: Betsy Artz, Maurice Groce, Dan Holtrop, Frank Vander Hoff, Don Yokom, and Chris Winczewski.
Members Absent: Laurie Sheldon and Johngerlyn Young (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 Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz, to excuse Commissioners Sheldon and Young from the meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent-
D. Approval of the Minutes and Findings of Fact
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to approve the Minutes of March 24, 2008 and the Findings of Fact for: 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; Structures and Improvements Plan (SIP)
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
E. Approval of the Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Artz, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to approve the agenda for the April 14, 2009 meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
F. Acknowledge visitors wishing to speak to non-agenda items.
There was no public comment.
G. Old Business
Case #1-09 ? Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments relating to billboards
Director Schweitzer introduced the request. He stated an item that was raised was the definition of trivision. He stated they have used information that was received from CBS Outdoor and input received from the city attorney?s office to come up with a definition. Schweitzer stated another item that was raised was whether or not there was a provision that the limitation on the duration of the message is the same for electronic message centers as it would be for trivision billboards. He stated the language was modified so that it applies to both types of billboards.
Director Schweitzer stated there was discussion at the zoning ordinance subcommittee and the work session that CBS Outdoor indicated a willingness to work with the city to display amber alerts and emergency public service information. Schweitzer stated it was added in as a provision and with talking with the police chief they felt the wording was appropriate. Schweitzer stated in talking with CBS Outdoor it was discovered they have a direct link; they get notification at the same time as the police department. He stated therefore it will eliminate the need to be run through the city course. Schweitzer stated staff feels this section is no longer needed as this goes forward to the city commission because they have the direct link to the notification.
Schweitzer stated regarding the measurement for the intensity of the light emanating from the billboard, alternatively staff is proposing a different measurement be used. He stated this would be in terms of footcandles relevant to ambient light levels. Schweitzer stated footcandles is a measurement that is common and the instrumentation is more reasonably acquired by a local unit of government to measure that. Schweitzer stated staff checked with a local sign company that deals with electronic message centers that are familiar with billboards and on premise signs; and the existing ordinance requires the signs be equipped with a light sensor. He stated the local sign company stated most signs now are equipped with that and that is not being unreasonable requiring that as part of the standards.
Schweitzer stated that the last portion that was modified was the basis. He stated a paragraph was added that speaks to the aspect of the light intensity and the measurement that would be used. Also the fact that CBS Outdoor expressed the willingness to display amber alerts.
Holtrop wanted to make sure that point 2 regarding the footcandles was for all electronic message centers. Schweitzer stated the 5,000 nits in the daylight hour and the 500 nits dusk until dawn was the current standard and that .2 footcandles is comparable to that. Holtrop asked how these are adjusted. Mike Hucul stated theirs are adjusted by computers. Hucul stated they have the auto dimming sensors as well.
Pung questioned whether we mention in the recommendation that the .2 be measured at the sign face or just assume that is where the light levels are measured. Sluggett stated there isn?t any harm to identify how far away from the sign face we would be measuring. Mike Hucul stated he would suggest that it is done from the ground level. Sluggett suggested at ground level and take a closer look when it goes to city commission to make sure this is what we want to use. Schweitzer suggested we say at ground level within 150 feet. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz, to reopen the public hearing.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent
Chair Winczewski opened the public hearing.
There was no public comment.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz, to close the public hearing.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
Motion by Commissioner Artz supported by Commissioner Holtrop, to amend the staff recommendation regarding section 16.05.D Electronic Message Centers number 4 to add ?measured at ground level within 150 feet.?
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
Commissioner Groce?s concern was why take number 13 and 14 out relating to the amber alert, why not mention that we expect the emergency messages be displayed. Sluggett stated he is more comfortable with making it a condition of the special land use approval when it gets to that point and it provides a future planning commission with a basis for making that a condition of approval. Groce stated he would liked for it to be explicitly stated that there would be a display of amber alerts and national states of emergency messages declared by the president. Discussion Ensued.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to amend the staff recommendation regarding section 15.03.I number 13 to read ?The owner of billboards equipped with electronic message centers shall communicate amber alerts and emergency public service information. The operational restrictions on electronic message center set forth in this ordinance shall not apply during any time that the electronic message center is used to communicate authorized amber alerts or emergency public service information.? And remove number 14
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to recommend to the city commission to amend the City of Kentwood Zoning Ordinance No 9-02 Amend Section 8.02 table of Uses section 16.02, 16.04E.1, Section 15.03.I,Section 16.05.D and 16.05.B.1 as stated in Schweitzer memo dated April 4, 2009 and as amended.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
H. Public Hearing
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 this is a site plan review for a 45,230 square foot public library, located south of city hall on the vacant land. Pung stated from the work session there was one issue; it is proposed to be located over two separate parcels. He stated the zoning ordinance requires it to be located on one parcel and due to the fact that the inactive landfill is currently an EPA super fund site and is under remediation we can?t combine the two lots. He stated the applicant will be going to the zoning board of appeals on April 20, 2009 for a variance to allow the two separate lots to be considered one lot. Pung stated he is recommending conditional approval of the site plan with conditions 1-5 and basis point 1-4.
Kepley showed the commissioners a slide show of the elevations.
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 (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
Commissioner Yokom asked why the flat roof. Kepley stated for economic reasons and this is what the architects came up with and also they need to put mechanical units on the roof.
Winczewski stated the presentation was good and showed more detail and he thinks the view looking east will look nice.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz, to grant conditional approval of the site plan dated March 16, 2009 as described in Case 4-08 Kentwood Branch Library. Approval is conditioned on condition 1-5 and basis point 1-4 in Pungs memo dated April 7, 2009.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
I. Work Session
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 ?
Planner Golder introduced the request. She stated this is a final site plan review for a PUD plan that was approved about 1 year ago on 9.02 acres. She stated it is a redevelopment of an existing nursing home. She stated they are going to tear off part of the nursing home and replace it with pods with 15 beds each with the exception of building F which would have 6 units. She stated the only issues were how to get into building E. She stated the applicant agreed to put a pathway from the parking to the entryway.
The commissioners had no comments and thinks it looks great. Winczewski stated he still wishes the parking could be in the back but he understands why they are doing it like they are and he supports this.
J. New Business
There was no New Business
K. Other Business
1. Commissioners? Comments
Holtrop asked about the carnival. Collier stated it went well the initial weekend.
2. Staff?s Comments
Schweitzer stated the City of Kentwood will be working with a Kentwood youth commission two students would be chosen to serve on each board and commission. One student would be a representative and the other will be an alternate and neither will have voting status.
L. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner to adjourn the meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon and Young absent -
Meeting adjourned at 8:30p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Yokom, Secretary
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