WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSIONMINUTES
November 15, 2005
The Washington Township Zoning Commission met in regular session on November 15, 2005 in the Meeting Room of Washington Township Government Center. Members of the Commission present were Mr. Drain, Mrs. Zobrist, and Mr. Anderson. Mr. Rogers and Mrs. Winwood were excused.
Call to order at 7:00 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Drain discussed with the applicants that only three (3) members of the Commission were present and gave the applicants the option to table the cases until a full Commission is present.
Applicants stated that they wanted their cases heard.
All in attendance were duly sworn in.
MOTION – Mrs. Zobrist moved the minutes of September 20, 2005 be approved with modifications.
Motion seconded by Mr. Anderson.
VOTE - Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes; Mr. Anderson, yes.
CASE Z-499E – John Voss, 650 Miamisburg-Centerville Road
Request is for a change to the previously approved site and elevation plans in order to extend a brick paver area, increase landscaping and relocate a wall mounted identification sign along the street frontage, north side elevation of the structure. This property is located in a Planned Development Business (PD-B4) zoning district.
Greg DeLong , Senior Planner presented the case.
Applicant represented by Richard Beatty, Voss BMW, 650 Miamisburg-Centerville Road.
Mr. Drain – Asked if the sign will be lit?
Mr. Beatty – Yes, it is backlit.
Mr. Drain – Questioned if the sign meets township code requirements.
Mr. DeLong – Yes, it meets the square footage and height requirements.
Mr. Beatty addressed the Commission with the proposed changes. He stated that the previous sign was conceptual and after further research, it was discovered the sign would not mount appropriately on the glass rotunda; therefore, the request is made to move it to the flat façade.
Mr. Drain – Asked what the purpose is of the additional brick pavers?
Mr. Beatty – The increased brick paver area would tie in better with the Cadillac dealership and would allow for the dealership to display more cars.
Mr. Drain – Will the cars be raised?
Mr. Beatty – No.
Mr. Drain – Asked the applicant if he reviewed the comments from the VIP Consultant, Sandra Spees.
Mr. Beatty – Yes, and they plan to follow the VIP’s recommendations.
Mr. Drain – Stated that the VIP Consultant is available at any time to assist in plant selections and to give advice on proper planting locations and care.
Mr. Drain – Asked if the landscaping approved from the previous cases has been installed?
Mr. Beatty – Yes.
Citizens voicing concerns, questions and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Commission remarks, concerns and comments included:
Mr. Anderson – Thinks the plan is fine.
Mrs. Zobrist – Feels that additional landscaping is a benefit to the site.
Hearing closed.
MOTION – Mr. Anderson moved in Case Z-499E to approve applicant’s request for a change to the previously approved site and elevation plans in order to extend a brick paver area, increase landscaping and relocate a wall mounted identification sign along the street frontage, north side elevation of the structure, subject to: 1) staff comments; and 2) the landscape review.
Motion seconded by Mrs. Zobrist.
VOTE - Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes; Mr. Anderson, yes.
Case Z-499E approved with modifications.
CASE Z-588C – Divided Ridge Associates, Ltd.
Request is for Planned Development Residential (PD-R) second and final stage approval of the clubhouse (Community Center), which will serve the residents of the Washington Trace development.
Greg DeLong , Senior Planner presented the case.
Applicant represented by Pete Schwiegeraht , Oberer Companies, 2800 East River Road.
Mr. Drain – Asked Mr. DeLong if the property owner of the 5-acre tract to the north of the development was notified.
Mr. DeLong – Yes.
Mr. Toberen – The notification list was based on the 500’ radius from the clubhouse property, not 500’ from the entire development.
Mr. Anderson – Questioned the parking requirements.
Mr. DeLong – Fifty (50) spaces are required, but they are showing 41 spaces. The Commission can approve it at 41 spaces if they desire. The developer does have space for 39 more spaces if needed for a total of 80.
Mr. Schwiegeraht – Presented the case to the Commission.
Mrs. Zobrist – Do you need a key to get into the tot lot?
Mr. Schwiegeraht – No key is needed for the tot lot, but a key is needed to enter the pool area.
Mr. Anderson – Questioned the parking again and why 41 spaces were decided, instead of building all 80 spaces as the plan shows they can do?
Mr. Schwiegeraht – The developer has done a lot of research with other comparable developments and it was determined that 41 spaces are enough at this time. He noted that the additional 39 spaces would be constructed when the time and place is appropriate.
Mrs. Zobrist – Where is the dumpster located?
Mr. Schwiegeraht – There is no dumpster. They will use residential 55-gallon trash cans.
Mr. Drain – Asked if landscaping mounding would be installed along Sheehan Road?
Mr. Schwiegeraht – Only at the entry sign. The future plans for the development will have the front of the homes facing Sheehan Road, not the rear and they don’t want to hide any architectural characteristics.
Mr. Drain – Asked about pedestrian access to the clubhouse.
Mr. Schwiegeraht – Discussed the hiker biker paths and connectivity to the clubhouse area.
Mrs. Zobrist – Asked about the exterior building materials.
Mr. Schwiegeraht – All 4 sides will be brick and the roofing will be dimensional shingles.
Mr. Drain – Questioned the setback lines of 25 feet on the drawing.
Mr. Schwiegeraht – That is shown as a minimum. The clubhouse is actually closer to 100 feet from the right-of-way.
Mrs. Zobrist – Asked how soon the project will begin?
Mr. Schwiegeraht – It will begin late winter or early spring.
Mr. Anderson – Asked if there were any concerns with the landscape comments from the township’s VIP Consultant?
Mr. Schwiegeraht – No problem as they are consistent with previous comments.
Mr. Drain – Questioned the building materials on the shelters.
Mr. Schwiegeraht – They are the same as was approved with the original approval.
Citizens voicing concerns, questions and comments included: None.
Public hearing closed.
Commission remarks, concerns and comments included:
Mr. Drain and Mr. Anderson – Both liked the plan, but are concerned about the parking. They mentioned having the applicant work with staff to determine the amount required as the clubhouse has many purposes and potential uses. They both stated they don’t want the required number to fall below 41 spaces.
Mrs. Zobrist – Likes the design and style and stated that the clubhouse will be a marquee feature and amenity for the development.
MOTION – Mr. Drain moved in Case Z-588C to approve applicant’s request for Planned Development Residential (PD-R) second and final stage approval of the clubhouse (Community Center), which will serve the residents of the Washington Trace development, subject to: 1) all of staff comments; 2) landscape VIP comments in a letter dated October 23, 2005; 3) the exterior walls of the clubhouse to be 100% brick; and 4) staff to determine off street parking with the minimum to be no less than 41 spaces.
Motion seconded by Mr. Anderson.
VOTE - Mr. Drain, yes; Mrs. Zobrist, yes; Mr. Anderson, yes.
Case Z-588C approved with modifications.
Other business:
Staff discussed the December 20, 2005 Zoning Commission meeting and how they would like to have Bob Surdyk, Township Law Director, give a training session.
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