Planning Commission (PC)

Durham Planning Commission M I N U T E S March 11, 2014, 5:30 p.m. City Council Chambers – 1st Floor 101 City Hall 1. Call to Order Chair Jones called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. 2. Roll Call Members Present: Elise Bielen Absent: Will Lambe Rebecca Board Frederick Davis Charles Gibbs David Harris Linda Huff Antonio Jones, Chair Will Lambe Rickey Padgett David Smudski Bynum Walter Melvin Whitley Rebecca Winders Staff Present: Patrick O. Young, Assistant Planning Director Scott Whiteman, Planning Supervisor Amy Wolff, Senior Planner Karla Rosenberg, Senior Planner Thomas Dawson, Planner Bill Judge, Transportation Engineer Sara Young, Planning Supervisor Aaron Cain, Planning Supervisor Juliet Black, Executive Assistant 1. Adjustments to the Agenda The public hearings were advertised as required by law. 2. Approval of the Minutes from February 11, 2014 Motion: Approval (Harris, Board 2nd). Action: Motion carried, 10-0. (Davis, Winders and Padgett had not arrived) Planning Commission Minutes March 11, 2013 Page 1 of 4 3. Resolution in Honor of Commissioner Barbara Beechwood Commissioner Beechwood was not present. Chair Jones read the resolution as public record. The resolution will be mailed to Ms. Beechwood. RESOLUTION IN APPRECIATION OF MS. BARBARA BEECHWOOD WHEREAS: Ms. Barbara Beechwood was a member of the Durham Planning Commission from May 2009 through December 2013 and; WHEREAS: The Durham Planning Commission and the citizens of the City and County of Durham have benefited from the dedicated efforts that she displayed while serving as a member of the Durham Planning Commission, and; WHEREAS: This Commission desires to express its appreciation for the public of a job well done, now therefore; BE IT RESOLVED BY THE DURHAM PLANNING COMMISSION: Section 1: That this Commission does hereby express its sincere appreciation for the service rendered by Ms. Beechwood to the citizens of this community. Section 2: That the Clerk for the Commission is hereby directed to spread this resolution in its entirety upon the official minutes of this Commission and this resolution is hereby presented to Ms. Beechwood as a token of the high esteem held for her. Adopted this 11th day of March 2014 4. Public Hearing: Plan Amendments with Concurrent Zoning Map Change Request A. UDI (A1400001 & Z1400001) Plan Amendment Request: The applicant is proposing to amend the 2.615-acre portion of the parcel designated Office to Low Density Residential (4 DU/Ac. or less). Zoning Map Change Request from OI to Residential Suburban 20 (RS-20. Staff Report: Ms. Rosenberg & Ms. Wolff presented the staff reports. Public Hearing: Chair Jones opened the public hearing. Two people signed up to speak; two people spoke in support and no one spoke in opposition. Chair Jones closed the public hearing. Planning Commission Minutes March 11, 2013 Page 2 of 4  Commission Discussion: Commissioner Harris was concerned that they did not have a site plan and that any type of agriculture could be permitted. It was stated that UDI has made their mark in Durham and have been doing wonderful things. Motion: Approval of the Plan Amendment Case A1300009. (Mr. Davis, Mr. Whitley 2nd). Action: Motion carried, 12-1 (Mr. Harris voting No) Motion: Approval of the Zoning Map Change Request Z1400001. (Mr. Davis, Mr. Whitley 2nd). Action: Motion carried, 12-1 (Mr. Harris voting No) Findings: The Planning Commission finds that the ordinance request is not consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. However, should the plan amendment be approved, the request would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission believes the request is reasonable and in the public interest and recommends approval based on comments received at the public hearing and the information in the staff report. 5. Public Hearing: Zoning Map Change Requests A. Circle K (Z1300018) Staff Report: Ms. Wolff presented the staff report. Public Hearing: Chair Jones opened the public hearing. Three people signed up to speak, two spoke in support and two spoke in opposition. Chair Jones closed the public hearing. Commission Discussion: Chair Jones stated he works at Hillside High School, but there is no financial gain for him in this matter. Much concern was brought up about the safety of the students from a lack of crosswalks, loitering and water runoff. It was reiterated by most commissioners that Circle K build a relationship with the school, by getting to know the resource officers, principal and key people. Circle K stated they had high standards for security and plan to keep the location safe. It was stated they didn’t see why the store needed so many gas pumps, which would create a problem for traffic. Hillside had been using the space for parking on game day and other events. This will no longer be the case. Motion: Approval of the Circle K Z1300018. (Mr. Padgett, Ms. Smudski 2nd). Action: Motion carried, 12-1 ((Mr. Miller voting No) Findings: The Planning Commission finds that the ordinance request is consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. The Commission believes the request is reasonable and in the public interest and recommends approval based on comments received at the public hearing and the information in the staff report. Planning Commission Minutes March 11, 2013 Page 3 of 4 6. New Business A. Announcements: Thomas Dawson gave a presentation of the Downtown Open Space Plan, where the board was allowed to ask several questions. B. Scott Whiteman stated the Downtown Open Space Plan will be presented next month along with a zoning and plan amendment case. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. The next meeting is April 8, 2014, 5:30 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes March 11, 2013 Page 4 of 4