WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES

April 15, 2008

The Washington Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on April 15, 2008 in the Meeting Room of Washington Township Government Center. Members of the Commission present were Mr. Drain, Mrs. Winwood, Mrs. Zobrist, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Berry.

Call to order at 7:00 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

MOTION – Mr. Anderson moved the minutes of March 18, 2008 be approved with modification.

Motion seconded by Mrs. Zobrist.

VOTE - Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Winwood, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes; Mr. Anderson, yes; Mr. Berry, yes.

Jo Postle, Development Services Director, stated that this meeting is being held to further review and discuss potential Zoning Resolution Amendments. Mrs. Postle reviewed the draft Bed & Breakfast section which included examples of the regulations from Asheville, North Carolina and Savannah, Georgia as referenced at the March meeting. Specific elements of the Asheville, North Carolina code were highlighted and discussed. The provision requiring notarized applications from the Savannah, Georgia code was also noted.

Mr. Drain – Indicated that Item “m” in the Asheville regulations stated no structure less than 30 years old to be permitted.

Mr. Anderson – Feels that this is a good idea. Bed & Breakfast establishments should have some character.

Mr. Berry – Noted that some of the bed & breakfast establishments he has visited have had other retail uses. Asked if that should be addressed in the Township’s regulations?

Mrs. Zobrist – Stated that she has been to a bed & breakfast that had an area converted into a gift shop. She did not feel that retail elements should be allowed in the Township’s regulations.

Mr. Anderson – Noted that the lot size was regulated in the various codes as well as number of potential employees. Mr. Anderson likes the half-acre minimum lot size permitted.

Mr. Berry – Indicated that one of the codes had a 500’ requirement from another bed & breakfast, which he is in favor of.

Mr. Anderson – Suggested the possibility of a restriction on the age of the building to limit the character of the building. Thought the Commission should look at a restriction of 30 to 40 years. Staff can develop a map indicating the year of the building and the size to give some indication of the inventory of existing residences that would meet this requirement.

Mr. Anderson – Questioned home stays with exchange student housing for extended periods. He asked staff to investigate this concept and the number of guests and the number of rooms that would be appropriate.

Mrs. Winwood – Asked if the Commission wants to limit the number of guests instead of the number of guest rooms. Mrs. Winwood suggested the restriction stating that no room shall exceed a maximum number of adults (i.e., two) per room which would be notarized by the applicant when the application is filed.

The Commission discussed the Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) information provided as a follow-up to discussion at the March meeting. Mrs. Postle reviewed what is required for a CDL according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. A CDL is required based on the weight of vehicles and maximum number of people being transported in the vehicle, which is 16.

Follow-up staff information regarding draft Home Occupation zoning regulations was discussed.

Mr. Drain – Stated he likes #1 and #2 in the memo which addresses the maximum number of clients/guests to be at the establishment at one time and the total number of visits by guests in one day. He suggested permitting one visit per month with no more than 10 people.

Mrs. Winwood – Is in favor of #3 which treats client visits equally to other residents having social activities at their homes where there are no specific total number restrictions.

Andy Ehrhart, Zoning & GIS Manager – Indicated that the concern about the impact of home occupations is also about trip generation (i.e., UPS deliveries, a florist, etc.) and not just client visits.

Mrs. Winwood – Stated it is still about how a home occupation fits into a neighborhood.

Mr. Anderson – Agreed that there is a necessity to establish numbers and standards without leaving it subject to interpretation.

Following brief discussion, there was agreement that specific standards should be included in the regulations.

Mrs. Postle – Reviewed the basic framework of the Sign Regulations and noted the need for a preamble. Mrs. Postle distributed excerpts from the Create the Vision document referencing signs.

Mr. Drain – Questioned the proposed removal of parts of Section 4 in sign regulations draft. Mrs. Postle – Indicated that these provisions will re-appear in a new section.

The Commission discussed human signage and vehicle signage and the ability to control on and off premises. The Commission feels this is an area that should be restricted as much as possible. Staff is to obtain a legal review on this matter.

There was discussion about the table summarizing sign provisions by type of sign in zoning class. The numbers in draft form are for further discussion by staff. This is being presented mainly for the purpose of format at this time. Staff will bring to the next meeting a summary of the current sign restrictions for comparison with the draft table.

Mr. Anderson – Stated there should be “square feet” reference added to the table as the numbers do not indicate that.

Mr. Drain – Asked if there are any restrictions to color of signs? Questioned if the Commission wants to retain the current requirements for brick or stone ground sign base?

Mr. Ehrhart – Suggested expanding beyond the brick/stone limitation.

Mrs. Zobrist – Noted they could require compatible materials instead of brick/stone to allow more flexibility.

Mr. Drain – Stated that with regard to Planned Developments, they could use the standard zoning as a yardstick and the applicant can vary those based on overall design.

Mr. Berry – Felt there is a need to restrict the LED changeable copy signs and the degree of illumination.

Mr. Ehrhart – Stated that the Commission can regulate signage based on time, place and manner. LED is manner so it can be prohibited.

It was also suggested to prohibit landscaping on roofs.

In other business:

There was discussion regarding the upcoming training session with the Board of Zoning Appeals. The date of Wednesday, May 21, 2008 was chosen. Staff will poll other attendees and send out notice.

Staff reported that a proposal involving several variances and conditional uses to redevelop the existing Pizza Hutt on E. Whipp Road to a Sonic drive-in restaurant was denied by the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The applicant for the proposed Washington Trace day care center (Social Row Academy) is asking for a public hearing at the May 20, 2008 Zoning Commission meeting. Mr. Drain will not be at that meeting. Mrs. Zobrist will chair that meeting.

Meeting adjourned. A tape recording of this proceeding is on file in the Zoning Office.

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Harry Drain, Chairman

Washington Township Zoning Commission