Planning Commission

MINUTES TOWN OF FORT MILL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING February 20, 2018 112 Confederate Street 6:30 PM Present: James Traynor, Hynek Lettang, Ben Hudgins, Tom Petty, Jay McMullen, Planning Director Chris Pettit Absent: Zhengzheng Wiley, Chris Wolfe Guests: See attached sign-in sheet CALL TO ORDER Chairman Traynor called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Petty made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 16, 2018, meeting as presented. Mr. Hudgins seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Commercial Appearance Review – Sunbelt Rentals: Planning Director Pettit provided a brief overview of the request, the purpose of which was to revise a previously granted commercial appearance review approval for the proposed Sunbelt Rentals at the corner of South Sutton Road and Sutton Ridge Lane in regards to the fencing surrounding the site. Planning Director Pettit explained that the requested revision was to enclose the front portion of the site with a 6’ ornamental aluminum fence, that section being previously approved on the site plan without the fencing enclosure. Discussions occurred related to the purpose of the fencing and concerns on the aesthetics of the request. Ken Chapman, applicant, noted that the purpose of the fence was primarily related to security and consistency with the remainder of the site which is approved with fencing. Mr. McMullen questioned whether or not the fencing height could be reduced from 6’, to which Mr. Chapman noted that the property owner originally requested 8’ fencing. Mr. McMullen additionally questioned whether or not additional plantings could be installed along the Sutton Road frontage to break up the length of the fence, to which Mr. Chapman had no opposition to installing landscaping as discussed. Discussions occurred related to the evolution of the site plan and the purpose of the previous revisions to the commercial appearance review approval.  Mr. McMullen made a motion to approve the requested revision with the following conditions: 1. Landscaping, including 3 types of low growing shrubbery (less than 3’ in height), shall be installed along the Sutton Road frontage to visually break up the fencing. Staff shall have the authority to review and approve the final design of the landscaping. 2. Staff shall have the authority to make minor modifications to the site plan in order to accommodate comments or concerns from other reviewing authorities. Mr. Petty seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-2, with Mr. Lettang and Mr. Hudgins opposed. 2. Commercial Appearance Review – Pendleton Village: Planning Director Pettit provided a brief overview of the request, the purpose of which was to revise a previously granted commercial appearance review approval for the proposed outparcel shell commercial building located in the Pendleton Village shopping center. Planning Director Pettit explained that the requested revision was to revise the design of the primary facades. Chairman Traynor questioned what the primary purpose of the requested revision was, to which Lane Norman, applicant, noted that the primary purpose of the request was budgetary in nature. Discussions occurred related to the angled stone columns proposed on the revised plans, to which it was noted that the desire would be to revise the columns to no longer be angled and to instead match those of the previous approval. Further discussions occurred related to the parapet walls along the rear of the building and whether or not the design, as proposed, would appropriately screen rooftop mechanical equipment. Concerns were expressed related to the visibility of the rooftop from adjoining properties and the need for additional screening. There being no further discussions, Chairman Traynor called for a motion. Mr. Hudgins made a motion to approve the requested revision with the following conditions: 1. The stone veneer columns shall be revised to be straight, generally matching those from the original approval and adjacent Pendleton Village building. 2. The rear elevation shall be revised to provide additional screening of the rooftop area and associated equipment. Screening to be designed by the applicant and staff shall have the authority to review and approve the final design. Mr. McMullen seconded the request. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Commercial Appearance Review – American Legion: Planning Director Pettit provided a brief overview of the request, the purpose of which was to grant commercial appearance review approval for a proposed addition at American Legion Post #42 located at 427 Banks Street. Planning Director Pettit went over the staff report and the proposed design as provided in the agenda packet. Discussions occurred related to the location of the proposed addition, to which it was noted that the addition would be located off the northern side of the building towards the adjacent multi-family property. Mr. Hudgins questioned the use of the fiber-cement siding as the material was not used on the existing structure. Matt Manucy, the general contractor for the applicant, noted that the new siding would match the color of the gables on the existing building and the brick foundation would match the existing building as closely as possible. Discussions occurred related to the evolution of the plan, which started as a deck along the Banks Street frontage and eventually turned into the existing enclosed addition. Mr. Manucy explained that the purpose of the addition was to provide additional space to increase membership and separate internal smoking and non-smoking areas. Mr. McMullen noted that the new plans for an enclosed space removed his initial concern related to adding additional outdoor noise in a relatively residential area. Mr. Hudgins made a motion to grant commercial appearance review approval with a condition to allow staff to make minor modifications to the plan in order to address comments or concerns made by the various reviewing authorities. Mr. Lettang seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0. 2. Text Amendment – COD/COD-N Corridor Overlay District: Planning Director Pettit provided an overview of the request, the purpose of which was to review and provide a recommendation to Council for a proposed text amendment to the COD/COD-N Corridor Overlay District. Planning Director Pettit went through the staff report, explaining the purpose of the text amendment and detailing the specific amendments. Discussions occurred related to concerns with amending the parking and pedestrian crosswalk requirements, which as discussed could remove the intent of the overlay district. Planning Director Pettit noted that the amendments were drafted based off discussions on the draft UDO with Council, however ultimately the Planning Commission can recommend a modified version of the ordinance. Further discussions occurred related to the evolution and intent of the overlay district. Mr. Petty made a motion to recommend approval of a modified text amendment that did not include any amendments to the existing language related to off-street parking. Mr. Hudgins seconded the motion.  Mr. McMullen moved to amend the currently pending motion so as to also not include any amendments to the existing language related to pedestrian crosswalks. Mr. Lettang seconded. The motion to amend the currently pending motion failed by a vote of 2-3, with Mr. Hudgins, Chairman Traynor, and Mr. Petty opposed. There being no further discussion, Chairman Traynor called for a vote on the currently pending motion made by Mr. Petty, which was to recommend approval of a modified text amendment that did not include any amendments to the existing language related to off- street parking. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0, with Chairman Traynor abstaining. Planning Director Pettit stated that there may be a request to hold a special called meeting in the next couple of weeks and that staff would work with the Planning Commission to determine a specific date and time should that be necessary. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Chris Pettit, AICP Planning Director March 13, 2018