City Council

COLUMBIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS & REGULAR SESSION CITY HALL – 1840 SECOND STREET AUGUST 12, 2014, 7:00 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Laurie Falk, Chair* *Denotes Commissioner absent Barbara Gordon, Vice-Chair Dennis Capik Kelly Niles Shelly Sandford* Mark Worral STAFF: Lisa Smith, Planner Helen Johnson, Planning Administrative Assistant OTHERS: None MEETING TO ORDER: Barbara called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Barbara led the pledge of allegiance. INTRODUCTION OF NEW PLANNING COMMISSIONER Dennis Capik introduced himself to the other members of the committee. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: IT WAS MOVED (MARK) AND SECONDED (DENNIS) TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 8, 2014 MEETING, AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CITIZEN INPUT AND REQUESTS: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: REGULAR SESSION CLOSED AND PUBLIC HEARING OPENED. Barbara opened the public hearing. Barbara stated she has a potential conflict of interest, stating that she is very good friends with three of the DAR members. She is not a member of the DAR and is not eligible to be one. She has no financial interest with the women she is friends with or the DAR. Lisa then asked if Barbara could make an unbiased decision regarding the matter being brought before the Commissioners this evening. Barbara answered that she would definitely be able to make an unbiased decision on this matter. Barbara also stated that she had not discussed this matter with her friends from the DAR. COLUMBIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS AND REGULAR SESSION August 12, 2014 Page 2 Lisa explained the hearings this evening is a quasi-judicial hearing on an application for variance to the vision clearance area applied for by the DAR to replace a sign on the corner of Second and “I” Street. She read for the record the required information then explained the process for the hearing. Lisa had explained that both the streets have 80 foot right of ways and there is a lot of property from where the pavements ends and their actual property line. If you then go the additional 30 feet each direction as required by the vision clearance ordinance you end up in the orchard, which is actually a historic orchard. They are asking to use the same location as the existing sign and it has a 10 x 10 vision triangle, which is separated by another 15-20 feet on one side because the street doesn’t appear to be in the center of the right of way. Lisa stated there is not an issue of sitting at the corner and not being able to see. Lisa reviewed the staff report and recommends the Planning Commission approve the application as submitted. Kelly asked for clarification of the vision clearance triangle and how that relates to the sign and streets. Barbara asked if they intended to light the sign and Lisa answered no they have not requested to light the sign. Lisa believes there is a street light there. Lisa also stated they plan the follow all the other sign ordinance conditions. Barbara closed the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. IT WAS MOVED (MARK) AND SECONDED (KELLY) TO ADOPT THE FINDINGS IN THE STAFF REPORT AND RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THE DAR’S VARIANCE APPLICATION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Lisa stated that in the near future we would be discussing the topic of temporary housing, rental properties. NEW BUSINESS: Lisa discussed with the commissioners the topic of the vision clearance area and how large our requirement is currently. There have also been concerns about how it applies to a property owner’s driveway, etc. The commissioners and staff discussed this topic for a while. Kelly asked Lisa to look into the matter further to consider making changes to our ordinances and all the commissioners agreed. Lisa also asked the commissioners to put the October 14, 2014 date on their calendar for a meeting to discuss these issues further. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:45 p.m. ________________________________ ____________________________________ Barbara Gordon Attest by: Helen K Johnson Planning Commission Co-Chair Planning, Building Administrative Assistant