WEST CARROLLTON CITY COUNCIL, BZA, & PC JOINT MEETING

Held May 28, 1998

PRESENT: Mayor Maxine Gilman, Councilmembers Jack Jensen, Bill Gordon, Jeff Sanner, Linda Lotspaih, and Bill Ennis; David Humphreys, Planning & Economic Development Director; Board of Zoning Appeals members, Fred Fox, Janet Myers, and David Berrett; Planning Commission members, Barb Bennett, Gerald Houston, Sonny Webb, Don McElwee, and Bob Stealey.

Mayor Gilman opened the meeting.

Mayor Gilman asked Planning Commission members whether they had any issues to bring before the group. Barb Bennett indicated that there were two major projects with which the Planning Commission was involved: (1) the Alexandersville Square District study; (2) the Carrollton Center Village Overlay District. Planning Commission members indicated that they were nearing completion of a plan and a set of regulations for the Alexandersville Square area, adding that they had worked hard to try to get a plan for the future, and urged Council to support the plan when it is sent to them. Mr. Jensen inquired about whether there were any cost estimates for the City for implementing the plan. Planning Commission members indicated that at this stage, it had not developed to that point. Council indicated that that will be an important element for their consideration.

Planning Commission briefly discussed the efforts in the Carrollton Center area. They indicated that they had met jointly with the Business Advisory Council concerning the appropriate place to draw zoning lines for business districts. Continuing, they indicated that they were working on residential zoning district regulations that would make it easier for citizens to add on to existing houses in the older part of town.

Ms. Bennett also indicated that the Planning Commission had done a preliminary review of the City’s current Adult Use regulations, but indicated that work on those regulations had been delayed pending the outcome of some of the court action on Cheeks zoning violation and liquor control hearing. Mr. Humphreys gave a brief review of the status of the Cheeks case and the issues that the City would need to address with revised Adult Use regulations (i.e., maintaining a reasonable number of sites for these uses; making sure these sites are not in proximity to sensitive areas; clarifying some of the definitions; etc.).

Planning Commission members inquired of Council why they had voted against the ordinance which would have made churches conditional uses in residential areas. Planning Commission commented that they thought that they had balanced the interests of the residents and the churches. They expressed concern about the future loss of residential structures to parking lots adjacent to churches. Council indicated that there had been opposition to the ordinance adding that the churches are sensitive to their locations in the neighborhoods and would attempt to be good neighbors.

The Mayor asked Fred Fox whether there were any issues for the Board of Zoning Appeals to bring forth. Mr. Fox indicated one of their bigger cases recently has been the dumpster enclosures at Cambridge Commons. He indicated that they have a case on the next meeting’s agenda to consider a variance to remove the gated side of the dumpsters. Board of Zoning Appeals members asked whether additional rules might be possible to deal with the dumpster issue, and requested that the Planning Commission review the regulations. Council members indicated that this issue had been thoroughly reviewed by Council as a result of an effort by Centerville Park Apartments (formerly The Crossings Apartments) to modify the dumpster requirements.

Mr. Fox also indicated that the Board continues to get sign variance requests. He described a recent variance that the Board granted to Farmers & Merchants Bank for 7 ½ square feet of additional sign message area. He indicated that they had recommended that the Planning Commission take a look at whether the sign regulations in the OR, Office/Residential, district are too restrictive.

City Council stated that they had recently held a Vision Retreat and were working on the final draft of the Vision Statement from that retreat. They noted that similar to previous years’ statements, good schools, good housing stock, economic development were important issues. Mayor Gilman invited any of the Commission members who wished to, to help staff the City’s tent at the Paper Festival the weekend of June 12, 13, and 14.

A question arose about the status of the Marina Drive bikeway. Council indicated that they were nearing completion of the plans for the improvement of Marina Drive and the bikeway, but indicated that it had just been too costly to put the bikeway along the river as had originally been hoped.

Following discussion, the next joint meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals would be held on September 29, 1998, at 7:30 p.m.

A motion was made by Councilmember Bill Gordon and seconded by Councilmember Jeff Sanner to recess to a Work Session, and then to an Executive Session to consider applicants for appointment to City Council. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.

WORK SESSION

G. Tracy Williams, City Manager, arrived for the work session. Discussion was held concerning possible dates for an Open House, and for a dinner, for Daryl Garrison. Mr. Williams left the meeting.

Councilmember Jack Jensen made a motion to recess to an Executive Session to consider applicants for City Council. Councilmember Gordon seconded the motion. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

City Council considered applicants for appointment to City Council.

A motion was made by Councilmember Jensen, seconded by Councilmember Gordon, to return to the regular session. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business, Councilmember Jensen made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Gordon seconded the motion. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.

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