HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-11-2009Medina Planning Commission August 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes
CITY OF MEDINA PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
1. Call to Order: Commissioner R. Reid called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Planning Commissioners, Jim Simons, Robin Reid, Victoria Reid, Michele Litts, and
Mary Verbick.
Absent: Charles Nolan and Beth Nielsen
Also Present: City Planner Dusty Finke
2. Public Comments on Items not on the Agenda:
No public comments.
3. Update from City Council Proceedings:
Weir presented the update that the Council:
• Questioned the costs for the proposed $300,000.00 Field House for Hamel Legion Park
that came in at $425,000.00. The Council learned it was the paved pedestrian path, re -
sighting of the disabled parking access, the 24 foot wide emergency road to the building,
soil borings and wiring for future ball field lights that escalated costs. Council directed
staff to draft a resolution to approve a CUP for the Field House, to include only conduit
for future ball field lighting and to further negotiate with the Fire Marshal to reduce the
width of the emergency road, as recommended by the Planning Commission;
• Directed staff to rework the proposed 2010 budget to accommodate the $10,000.00 a year
operating costs of the Field House;
• Approved plans, specifications, and project for a mill and overlay on Willow Drive
between Hamel Road and Willow Drive. Twenty percent of the cost was recommended
to be assessed to benefiting properties along that stretch of Pioneer Drive;
• Voted to have the City take over the ownership of the German Liberal Cemetery by
November 1, 2010;
• Appointed Associate Planner Dusty Finke to City Planner;
• Directed staff to develop a job description for a temporary, part-time planner who can
assist with ordinance writing;
• Heard a report from our summer intern on ways the City can encourage economic
development;
• Approved an agreement with Bonestroo for Consulting Services to prepare a master plan
for Hamel Legion Park;
1
Medina Planning Commission August 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes
• Reviewed general policies of the proposed new suburban residential ordinance and gave
staff directions to build in more flexibility and to limit institutional uses to R-3, R-4, and
R-5 with a 40,000 square foot cap. The ordinance will return to the Council September
15th, 2009.
4. Planning Department Report:
Finke updated the Commission on future projects and ordinances.
5. Approval of July 14, 2009 Planning Commission Minutes:
Motion by Verbick, seconded by V. Reid to approve the July 14, 2009 minutes with
recommended changes. Motion carried unanimously. (Absent: Nolan and Nielsen)
Amcndmcnt an Intcrim Usc Pcrmit f r the ,. „struction of ., 1 097 „ foot
Application was withdrawn and the public hearing was not opened.
7. Public Hearing — Ordinance Amendment — Chapter 8 of Medina's City Code Pertaining
to the allowed types of signs in the residential and public/semi-public zoning districts
Finke presented the history and changes recommended to the sign ordinance relating to the
residential and public/semi-public zoning district. He explained the sign area is the area of the
text and symbols. Dynamic signage was discussed and clarified. Font size was discussed and
Finke felt it was somewhat self regulating. Simons asked if a sign had different size letters on it
would the smallest letters have to meet the minimum font size. Finke explained all letters would
need to meet the minimum font size.
The Commission reviewed existing City Park signs and their font sizes. V. Reid felt it's not just
the size of the font but the background and amount of letters on a sign.
Finke asked if the Commission was supportive in allowing pylon signs within the district. The
Commission agreed pylon signs were acceptable.
Finke explained the maximum sign height recommended for residential is six feet and in the
public/semi-public zoning district eight feet is recommended. Monument signs would be
allowed to be a height of ten feet in PS districts.
The types of materials should be made of was discussed and the Commission concluded to allow
natural materials and natural looking materials. V. Reid said the Morningside neighborhood sign
2
Medina Planning Commission August 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes
is made of wood and has carved letters. The sign is not a good example. The Commission
discussed and felt it was because the sign does not have color. Finke said he would look in the
existing code to see if the ordinance requires color.
Verbick asked which existing signs were out of compliance. Finke reviewed existing signage
samples.
Finke asked for clarification from the Commission regarding font size. The Commission
recommended not having a regulation on font size, except dynamic signs.
Simons said it will be difficult to draft an ordinance without bringing existing signs out of
compliance.
Finke asked the Commission to consider the types of signs in the residential district such as
subdivision entrance signs. The Commission was satisfied with the recommended changes.
Simons asked for the definition of a monument sign vs. a gate. He didn't think putting up a gate
with an address on it made it a monument sign. Finke clarified an address sign is exempt and
allowed.
Weir commented she has concern with language on page 3 of 5 of the draft ordinance Section
815.21.Subd.2. "Maintenance." The words "long grass" could be prairie grasses or decorative
grasses which the City is seeing more and more of. She felt the words "long grass" was too
general.
The Commission discussed the damage to the posts on the sign at Foxberry Farms. Finke
explained the sign is nonconforming and is required to have landscaping around the sign, which
would have prevented the weed whipping damage.
R. Reid suggested taking out "long grass" under the maintenance section and Verbick said the
language "keep maintained" could be used. The Commission recommended staff work on
changing the language.
Verbick asked for clarification of "no sign other than a governmental sign shall be erected or
temporarily placed within any street right-of-way or upon any public easement." Finke clarified
language.
Simons thought it may be easier to point out materials the City doesn't want rather than materials
allowed. Finke said there are unnatural materials more durable than natural materials. The
Commission agreed and requested that staff do additional research.
V. Reid asked if staff had seen regulations requiring signs to be horizontal rather than vertical.
The Commission discussed vertical signs as they relate to area. V. Reid asked if the Commission
was supportive of staff drafting regulations to require horizontal style signs rather than vertical.
R. Reid said she felt the height limitations force most of them to be designed horizontal. V. Reid
said she finds the horizontal signs more attractive and recommended the sign ordinance have
3
Medina Planning Commission August 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes
requirements to achieve a more horizontal style. Finke clarified her recommendation asking if
the ordinance had a "width must exceed the height" requirement.
Weir stated the Park Commission strongly favors the horizontal style signs.
Finke talked about the size limitation and the square feet recommended. He explained 15 square
feet was the recommendation. The Commission reviewed the Park Signs to get a general idea of
sign area on a sign.
Public Hearing was opened at 7:54 p.m.
Public Hearing was closed at 7:56 p.m.
Motion by Verbick, seconded by Litts to approve the ordinance amendment with
recommended changes. (Absent: Nolan and Nielsen)
8. City Council Meeting Schedule: Commission discussed.
9. Adiourn: Motion by Simons, seconded by V. Reid to adjourn at 7:57 p.m. Motion
carried unanimously. (Absent: Nolan and Nielsen)
4