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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.11.95 Planning Packet - .... . . . "... AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR APRIL 11, 1995 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. APPROVE MINUTES - MARCH 14, 1995 3. DISCUSSION a. Proposed Amendment to Title 8 - Add New Paragraph - Boulevards b. Informal Request for Variance - Oversized Storage Sheds at Middle School Ballfields c. Informal Request for Variance - Loading Dock Driveway Width - JIT Powder Coating Company 4. ADJOURN . - . . . . . A PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA REPORT REGULAR APRIL 11, 1995 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. APPROVE MINUTES - MARCH 14, 1995 3. DISCUSSION a. Proposed Amendment to Title 8 - Public Ways and Property, Chapter 1 - Street System, and Proposed New Paragraph 5 - Boulevards Currently the City Code is practically silent as to what is an appropriate use of the boulevard areas (the area between the street paving and the right of way line) within public street rights of way. In Title 2 (Boards and Commissions), Chapter 9 - Reforestation Advisory Commission, Section 11 identifies street tree species that are acceptable and Title 11 (Subdivisions) requires sodding and 2" caliper shade trees approximating forty feet (40') on center to be taken from that plant list. From time to time, residents decide to add other items including fences, benches, flowers, planters, sprinkler systems, and so on, since the right of way is, in effect, an extension of each private yard. Most of the time, the additions are not a problem, but at other times fences and/or planters can interfere with routine maintenance activity or create safety problems if street visibility is impaired. In order to prevent selective enforcement of the City Code, the staff has developed a ordinance amendment to clarify what may be acceptable within rights of way. A draft ordinance is enclosed for your consideration. b. Informal Request for Variance to Place an Oversized Storage Shed at Middle School Baseball Fields The building and grounds department of the Farmington School District built two storage sheds for baseball equipment which exceed the height limit for such buildings by one foot. The ordinance limits storage sheds to 9 feet in height, whereas the buildings are both 10 feet tall. While the grounds for granting a variance are not strong, it has been suggested that the objective of the code was to regulate light and air interference within developing and developed residential neighborhoods. Both of these structures will be viewed by most people from a considerable distance and both will have a site area much larger than any residential lot. The reason that this has been placed on the agenda as a discussion item is that the application was not filed in time for advertising in the newspaper. If the Commission decides that a variance can be justified, a public hearing will be scheduled in May to ratify the decision made this evening. The District would like to start the baseball season with the ability to use these structures. " .. ... c. Infor.mal Request for a Variance to Loading Dock Driveway Width Limits for JIT Powder Coating Company. . JIT Power Coating Company presented a site plan to the staff for a loading dock access drive 64 feet in width. When notified that a 32 foot variance from existing City standards was very unlikely, the company requested a meeting to discuss options. The first one raised was to separate shipping from receiving by 8 to 12 feet and create two 32 foot entrances side by side. The obvious disadvantage to that was the likelihood that whatever may be planted in the island would be destroyed within a very short time. The staff offered an alternative which would include granting an 8 foot variance to allow a 40 foot opening which could be expanded to the desire 64 feet on site. The operators were not entirely happy with the proposal, but the Chief Executive was, and I agreed to present the site plan to you this evening so that their planning can proceed in a manner that will be acceptable to the Commission. The reason for settling on 40 feet was that precedent has already been set with a similar variance granted last September to PIC Industrial Coatings which is situated on the west side of the Lexington Standard facility. The actual proposal has not been presented but will be included in the materials that go out. Any comment or refinement can be directed back to the applicant following the meeting. {Jf~ Ii! 1J,~ . Charles Tooker City Planner .