Ordinance Committee

1 ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE EDWARDSVILLE PLAN COMMISSION June 5, 2014 7:00 PM PRESENT ABSENT M. Brandmeyer J. Mullane G. Coffey, Vice Chair M. Pierceall M. Rabe P. Pitts S. Hanson, Staff B. Schlueter, PC Chairman C. Porter, Staff L. Schneck, Staff A meeting of the Plan Commission's Ordinance Sub-Committee was held on Thursday, June 5, 2014, and the following proposed ordinance was discussed: 1. Prohibiting parking on unpaved areas and requiring all driveways and parking areas be comprised of a dust-free surface; and While this item was duly advertised as a proposed change, it has been subsequently determined that it does not fall under the ordinance normally reviewed by the Plan Commission. As such, it will be withdrawn from consideration at the Plan Commission meeting. 2. Allowing Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry as a Special Use in an R-1 Single Family Residence District. The members present had concerns with creating this agricultural use which could be used for commercial benefits. It was also brought up that grow lights could be utilized throughout the evenings. They felt standards should be set for these grow houses now instead of stipulating them during the hearing process. Some standards should be considered such as: noise, the use of pesticides, type of equipment being used, lighting, hours and size of the operation, setbacks, and noxious odors. This request was for an individual on Hadley Lane who wants to put in a cultivation center for mushrooms. He wants to put in a temperature controlled environment covered with a land berm such as a bunker. He is currently selling mushrooms to Cleveland Heath and wants to expand the production of the mushrooms. Coffey asked if there were any other communities with this type of ordinance. Hanson did not look at any other communities. The City of St. Louis has allowed vacant lots to be turned into community gardens. He did look at New Town because they also have community gardens but did not see anything in their code. It was also suggested to limit the size to one (1) acre and for no additional employees. Hanson asked how the agricultural fields would apply to these requirements if  2 annexed into the City. Porter discussed various areas that were annexed and allowed to expand on the agricultural use because of the agreement when annexed into the City. Coffey added that the annexation agreement could govern the agricultural uses when annexed into the City. It was suggested to rephrase the wording of (c) to state “farming within a fully- enclosed controlled environment such as a greenhouse or grow house instead of “Controlled Environment Farming” and add flowers to the list of allowable items in the definition of Agricultural use. Hanson pointed out that if criteria is listed and met, the Zoning Board would have to grant the Special Use Permit without the input of the neighboring properties. If there is no criteria to be met, the Zoning Board can then set conditions on the Special Use Permit which the applicant will have to adhere to. By leaving it open, staff and/or the board can add criteria which they want. Coffey added there should be minimal criteria so it is not wasting the applicant’s time though. Coffey stated he was okay with this ordinance since it already exists in R-2 district. 3. Creating definitions of “Horticulture” and “Forestry” in the Zoning Code. (Combined as one ordinance with No. 2) 4. Amending the title of the “Agricultural Use” definition. (Combined as one ordinance with No. 2) RECOMMENDATION: Forward to Plan Commission with Scott Hanson’s recommendations. REMINDER: PLAN COMMISSION MEETING: Monday, June 16, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, City Council Chambers, 118 Hillsboro Avenue.