Planning Commission

Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 6:00 PM Members Present Staff Present Kathy Jones, Chair Greg McKnight, Planning Director Ken Halliburton, Vice-Chairman Matthew Blomeley, Assistant Planning Director Jennifer Garland Marina Rush, Principal Planner Ronnie Martin Austin Cooper, Planner Warren Russell Carolyn Jaco, Recording Assistant Chase Salas David Ives, Deputy City Attorney Eddie Smotherman Sam Huddleston, Dev. Services Exec. Director Teresa Stevens, Sign Administrator Chair Kathy Jones called the meeting to order. She stated that in accordance with Executive Order No. 16 issued by Governor Bill Lee, the Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 meeting would be conducted electronically and there would not be physical public access to the meeting as necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare in light of the coronavirus. The public may view the meetings electronically through Murfreesboro CityTV which is broadcast on Comcast Xfinity Channels 3 and 1094 and on AT&T U-verse Channel 99. The meeting can also be streamed on Roku, YouTube, Facebook, and the City’s website. Continuing, Chair Kathy Jones stated this information had been properly advertised to the public and the instructions were given in the advertisement on how the public could telephone to participate in this meeting. Chair Kathy Jones called the meeting to order and requested for a roll call vote for the determination of a quorum. Based on the roll call, it was determined that a quorum was present. Present: Jennifer Garland Ken Halliburton Ronnie Martin Warren Russell Chase Salas Eddie Smotherman Kathy Jones Absent: None 1  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 Chair Kathy Jones requested for a roll call vote in order to conduct the meeting electronically because it is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans and Murfreesboro citizens in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Mr. Chase Salas made a motion for the meeting to be conducted electronically because it is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans and Murfreesboro citizens in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, seconded by Mr. Ken Halliburton. Upon roll call the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jennifer Garland Ken Halliburton Ronnie Martin Warren Russell Chase Salas Eddie Smotherman Kathy Jones Nay: None Chair Kathy Jones asked for a motion to be made to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2020 Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Warren Russell made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Ronnie Martin. Upon roll call the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jennifer Garland Ken Halliburton Ronnie Martin Warren Russell Chase Salas Eddie Smotherman Kathy Jones Nay: None 2  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 Public Hearings Zoning Request [2020-403] for PS (Planned Signage) Overlay District program book for New Vision Baptist Church for approximately 30 acres located along North Thompson Lane, West College Street, and West Northfield Boulevard, New Vision Baptist Church applicant. Ms. Teresa Stevens summarized the Planned Signage Overlay zoning request from the staff report, which had been provided to the Planning Commission in the agenda packet. Ms. Regina Thompson of Visioneering Studios and Mr. Greg Freeman of New Vision Baptist Church were in attendance to represent the application. Ms. Thompson began by providing a presentation from the pattern book. She stated how this proposal would address signage for new entrances, string lighting in certain areas, canopy signs over the main entry locations, etc. Ms. Jennifer Garland had questions from the applicant’s pattern book regarding page 3.3. How would the mural signs be addressed? Mr. Teresa Stevens stated that mural signs would be addressed by the Building and Codes sign definitions within the City Sign Ordinance. She stated there are guidelines which state that murals are allowed on two sides of a building; not on the front of a building. This proposal being discussed is asking for a mural to be permitted on three sides of a building. Ms. Regina Thompson explained the three-sided mural would improve the appearance of an existing metal siding facade. Due to new road improvements in this area and a new children’s hospital, this existing metal siding façade has become much more visible. Chair Kathy Jones made known her concerns with the actual signage that is being proposed on the mural. Ms. Regina Thompson explained this image being discussed was not the final result for their mural. New Vision Baptist Church would be working with a muralist for their design. Chair Kathy Jones wanted clarification regarding the final design for their mural; would the 3  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 applicant have to come back to amend their PSO pattern book. Ms. Teresa Stevens stated this is the first applicant requesting a mural in a Planned Sign Overlay district. Therefore, when the applicant submits their final mural it would need to meet the Building and Codes definitions for murals. However, if there were any outstanding issues that needed to be addressed, the applicant would have to come back before the Planning Commission for approval. Mr. Eddie Smotherman wanted additional information regarding the rendering on page 10 from the applicant’s pattern book regarding future additions on this property. He feels that what is being presented should be have a more consistent design relative to the existing buildings. Ms. Regina Thompson stated this was an example rendering for the applicant to have when planning for the any future building additions with signage that may or may not happen. The building presented is not designed at this time. At this time, they are only providing future attached signs such as channel signs or backlit signs for a future children’s building. Mr. Warren Russell wanted to know if the mural would be a wrap or painted. Ms. Thompson answered it would be painted. Chair Kathy Jones opened the public hearing. Mr. Matthew Blomeley stated as of noon today, no one had requested to register to speak electronically for or against the zoning request. Chair Kathy Jones closed the public hearing. Chair Kathy Jones and Ms. Jennifer Garland expressed their concerns from page 9 in the applicant’s pattern book. There needs to be clarification language added to properly address banners and flag signs. For example, how often would banners and flag signs be allowed to be used and for how long each time? There needs to be more restrictive language for these items. Mr. Matthew Blomeley stated that, relative to the future building, this proposal was only for signage. The architectural design for any future building additions would be addressed during the site plan review process. 4  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 Mr. David Ives stated he would work with the applicant and the Building & Codes staff to address the concerns being discussed to provide language regarding limitations for banners and flag signs while making certain it provides the applicant opportunities for their events as needed. Ms. Regina Thompson stated she would work with the church and City staff to address all concerns that have been mentioned. Mr. Eddie Smotherman made a motion to approve subject to following: • Staff’s participation on the revisions to be made in the applicant’s pattern book for clarification on banners and flag signs. • The final design for a mural should be presented to the Planning Commission for approval before it is placed on their metal building. • The proposed changes to the language for banners and flag signs would be addressed during a Planning Commission day meeting. • The applicant would not have to amend their PSO zoning for these changes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ken Halliburton. Upon roll call the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jennifer Garland Ken Halliburton Ronnie Martin Warren Russell Chase Salas Eddie Smotherman Kathy Jones Nay: None Zoning application [2019-435] for approximately 1.44 acres located at the northeast corner of Gold Valley Drive and North Rutherford Boulevard to be rezoned from PCD to PRD (Rutherford Corner PRD), Masterson Homes, Inc. applicant. Mr. Matthew Blomeley 5  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 summarized the zoning application from the staff report, which had been provided to the Planning Commission in the agenda packet. Mr. Rob Molchan of SEC, Inc. was in attendance to represent the application. Mr. Molchan began by explaining the details with a presentation from applicant’s pattern book. Chair Kathy Jones opened the public hearing. She made known that only one person had registered to speak on this request; however, they have not called in. Chair Kathy Jones closed the public hearing. Chair Kathy Jones has questions from page 14 in the applicant’s pattern book regarding the “examples of materials”. Mr. Rob Molchan explained the examples for the materials was to make known their proposed color palette. During the site plan approval process the colors would be addressed with the architectural renderings. Mr. Matthew Blomeley made known staff would work with Mr. Molchan on the language in the pattern book regarding the “examples of materials.” Mr. Eddie Smotherman asked if the units are to be for-sale townhomes and whether it would be developed using a Horizontal Property Regime with a Homeowner’s Association and that it would not be developed as apartments. Mr. Molchan answered that is correct, the information is in the applicant’s pattern book on page 15. Mr. Chase Salas made a motion to approve subject to all staff comments, seconded by Mr. Ken Halliburton. Upon roll call the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jennifer Garland Ken Halliburton Ronnie Martin Warren Russell Chase Salas Eddie Smotherman Kathy Jones Nay: None 6  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 Mandatory Referral and Right-of-Way Abandonment [2020-702] to consider abandonment of a portion of Titans Circle right-of-way and the abandonment of drainage, detention, and utility easements, Huddleston Steele Engineering, applicant. Ms. Marina Rush summarized the mandatory referral and right-of-way abandonment from the staff report, which had been provided to the Planning Commission in the agenda packet. Ms. Marina Rush recommended that any approval be made subject to the following conditions: 1. The right-of-way and drainage easement abandonments shall be subject to the final approval of the legal instruments by the City Legal Department. The applicant shall prepare and submit legal descriptions and exhibits necessary for the City Legal Department to draft the necessary legal instruments. 2. The quitclaim deed transferring the subject ROW and easements shall be executed and recorded prior to the recording of the final plat. 3. Easements necessary for relocated utilities and drainage facilities or for any remaining easements in the abandoned ROW must be recorded simultaneously with the abandonment of the subject easements. 4. The new ROW configuration for Titans Circle must be recorded simultaneously with the abandonment of the subject ROW. 5. All recording fees shall be paid by the applicant. Chair Kathy Jones opened the public hearing. Mr. Matthew Blomeley stated that no one registered to speak electronically for or against the request. Chair Kathy Jones closed the public hearing. Mr. Bill Huddleston of Huddleston-Steele Engineering, Inc. was in attendance to represent the application. Mr. Ken Halliburton made a motion to approve the mandatory referral and right-of-way abandonment subject to all staff comments and conditions, seconded by Mr. Ronnie Marin. 7  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 Upon roll call the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jennifer Garland Ken Halliburton Ronnie Martin Warren Russell Chase Salas Eddie Smotherman Kathy Jones Nay: None Staff Reports and Other Business Hear report from Planning Director regarding Planning Department processes in response to CDC guidelines during COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) pandemic and report from Assistant Planning Director regarding schedule changes. Mr. Greg McKnight began by making known how appreciative he was working with the Planning Commission and the Planning Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the majority of the Planning Department staff are working from home. The last submittal process had been processed electronically online and had run smoothly. The department is on schedule working with our applicants, addressing comments and meeting deadlines as planned. There have been online Zoom video conferences and audio meetings with clients and the development community. We will continue this process and monitor weekly from the guidelines and guidance that have been put into place by the Mayor and City Manager. Lastly, Mr. McKnight complimented the Planning Department staff for being flexible, supportive, and keeping everything on track. Mr. Warren Russell wanted to know if there have been any changes in housing permits. Mr. McKnight made known he would gather information from the Building and Codes Department regarding permit numbers and would share that data with the Planning Commission in the near future. 8  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 Mr. Matthew Blomeley reminded the Planning Commission there would be a day meeting next Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. It would be a Zoom video meeting and it would be televised. Also, there would be a public hearing meeting conducted on May 6, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. It is assumed that it would be a Zoom video meeting. Zoning Ordinance amendment [2020-803] for Section 26. Off-Street Parking, Queuing, and Loading as regards joint use of required parking spaces, City of Murfreesboro Planning Department applicant. Mr. Matthew Blomeley summarized the Zoning Ordinance amendment from the staff report, which had been provided to the Planning Commission in the agenda packet. Mr. Matthew Blomeley made known Mr. David Ives and our Planning staff have worked very hard to make improvements regarding Section 26 of the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Blomeley requested for a public hearing to be scheduled for this Zoning Ordinance amendment. Ms. Jennifer Garland made a motion to schedule a public hearing on May 6, 2020, seconded by Mr. Chase Salas. Upon roll call the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jennifer Garland Ken Halliburton Ronnie Martin Warren Russell Chase Salas Eddie Smotherman Kathy Jones Nay: None Doug Young Public Safety Training Center [2017-3079] architectural elevations for public safety training facility buildings on 8.79 acres zoned RM-16 located along New Salem Highway and Bridge Avenue, City of Murfreesboro developer. Mr. Austin Cooper summarized the architectural elevations from the staff report, which had been provided to the Planning Commission in the agenda packet. Mr. Cooper made known that all architecture-related 9  Minutes of the Murfreesboro Planning Murfreesboro Planning Commission April 22, 2020 comments have been addressed and he recommended approval of the elevations in order to move forward with construction. Mr. Ken Halliburton made a motion to approve the architectural elevations subject to all staff comments, seconded by Mr. Eddie Smotherman. Upon roll call the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jennifer Garland Ken Halliburton Ronnie Martin Warren Russell Chase Salas Eddie Smotherman Kathy Jones Nay: None Mr. David Ives acknowledged the Communications Department, the Planning Department and the Planning Commission for everyone’s hard work and participation for this meeting which is being conducted electronically. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. ____________________________ Chair _____________________________ Secretary GM: cj 10