Planning and Zoning Commission

PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES City of Geneva 109 James Street - City Council Chambers Meeting #1140 – December 12, 2013 Chairman Rogers called the Plan Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call followed: Present: Commissioners Erickson, Evans, Leidig, Mead, Stevenson, Stocking, Chairman Rogers Absent: Commissioners Case Others Present: Community Development Dir. Dick Untch; Planner David DeGroot; Recording Secretary Celeste Weilandt Public Present: Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Art Kaindl ________________________________________________________________________________ Approval of the November 14, 2013 Meeting Minutes Minutes of the November 14, 2013 meeting were approved on motion by Commissioner Leidig, seconded by Commissioner Evans. Motion carried by voice vote of 6-0-1 (Erickson abstains). Review and Recommendation Session (Public Hearing held on 11/14/2013) Text Amendments - Request for amendments to the applicable section of Title 11 (Zoning Ordinance) and Title 12 (Subdivisions) of the Geneva City Code related to the consolidation of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Plan Commission so that the duties and obligations of the Zoning Board of Appeals be carried out by the Plan Commission. Planner DeGroot recalled the discussion from last month included the public hearing, commissioner comments on the reduction of members from 9 to 7, and concerns about the final authority on variations. He opened it up for committee discussion. Commissioner comments followed that the statute dictated the membership number, combining both bodies allowed for an efficient process for city functions, and it was a simpler process for the applicants. Per a question as to any new insight since the last meeting, DeGroot added that he has been working with Building Commissioner Dustin Schultze on a few of the past applications to prepare similar staff reports but has not participated in the last few variation requests. Dir. Untch discussed some of the challenges he and DeGroot saw going from 9 to 7 members and what it might mean, such as having two less perspectives or meeting quorum but he also reflected upon the fact that the city has a very good amount of staff support to review the projects that come before the commissioners, which was an added benefit. Asked if there was a limit of legal or monetary responsibility to the members should a zoning appeal be forwarded to the courts, Dir. Untch explained that the city’s insurance would be used for that purpose. However, he emphasized that it would be important for the commissioners to thoroughly address the four standards during the hearing discussion and carefully review and discuss the fact finding portion of any appeal or variation request. Additionally, he pointed out that the commissioners were similarly reviewing certain variations such as subdivision variations and sign variations, but in a recommending mode. Most of the zoning cases coming before the commission would be residential in nature. Responding to the above question, ZBA Chairman, Art Kaindl, explained the process that follows a legal appeal. He confirmed that the majority of the cases are residential in nature. Geneva Plan Commission -2- December 12, 2013 Other comments followed that some commissioners did not favor the reduction in membership; the reduction diluted the diversity of perspectives; and that given the few times the Zoning Board has been called upon to act negated the amount of benefit to the community and did not justify or offset reducing the size of the Plan Commission members from 9 to 7. Contrarily, other comments followed that sometimes by keeping the group smaller, it was easier to reach consensus and that having generalists on the commission was beneficial than having amateur planners. Commissioner Erickson moved to approve request for amendments to the applicable section of Title 11 (Zoning Ordinance) and Title 12 (Subdivisions) of the Geneva City Code related to the consolidation of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Plan Commission so that the duties and obligations of the Zoning Board of Appeals be carried out by the Plan Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Mead. Aye: Erickson, Leidig, Stevenson, Stocking, Rogers Nay: Evans, Mead MOTION PASSED. VOTE: 5-2 Chairman Rogers encouraged the City Council to consider the comments made by Commissioners Evans and Mead. Staff expected this topic to be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for January 13, 2014. Public Comment - None Other Business - Mr. DeGroot provided updates on the following: the sign variation for Past Basket was approved; a new sign variation request was received from The Country House; and staff received an application for a preliminary/final PUD for First Baptist Church on Peck Road for a west campus addition. Dir. Untch reported that the city received a technical assistance grant from the RTA for a zoning ordinance update on the City’s downtown master plan. Details followed. Lastly, DeGroot announced that a redesign of the city’s web site has recently taken place and easier options were now available to the public. As a consideration for the consolidation of the Zoning Board with the Plan Commission, Commissioner Erickson suggested that the mayor, with the assistance of staff, determine the membership of the new Planning and Zoning Commission and whether or not to add a couple of members from the Zoning Board of Appeals. . Commissioners supported the suggestion. Chairman Rogers announced Happy Holidays to all. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. on motion by Commissioner Evans. Motion carried unanimously.