Planning & Zoning Commission - Regular Meeting

We will go ahead and call this meeting to order. Chairman Steve Dyer, Mark Zwinski here, Brian Heel here, Kyle Cook here, Todd McConnell here. Okay, we'll start off with public comment on items not on the agenda. I didn't get any speakers, so just Oh, did you leave it over there? That's okay. I'm sorry. No, it's okay. Yeah, I think so. That's fine, Mr. Chairman. Yeah. Yeah, that's perfectly fine. If you want to just come right up to the podium, let us know.

Yes. Hi, Kate Nash. I spoke last month. Was that a month ago already? Oh, yeah.

Um, and first of all, I want to say I appreciate the time and attention that you guys have uh paid regarding that the new soccer field that's going in uh next to our home. Again, we're the ones right there at 197. Um, I did speak to Theresa and thank you so much. It was great. help to get some understanding of what's going on. I have talked to the um school district and they we've gone back and forth. I did not realize at the last meeting until I spoke to them. Um and I don't know that you I make this adjustment. So my concern was not only the landscape barrier um that they weren't meeting that requirement. Um and we did they just called me today and he wants to meet on Friday. So we're going to kind of talk through some ideas. So, I do think that they're trying to address that part of the ordinance and what needed to be done. Um, but I wasn't aware that the field is actually coming to the point where it'll be 23 ft from the property line in the one area. Um, which of course the landscape barrier is supposed to be with 25 ft boundary, etc. But, um, I'm really concerned about that when it comes to the drainage and I mentioned that last time. Um, and I took some pictures, but I didn't just on my phone, so you can't really, but it is, it floods significantly through there. That's why we lost the trees that we did. We had that nice barrier of trees. Um, and I don't know that the school realized how bad the drainage is on that part. Now, they said they are putting under the field cuz they're planning on putting in

Yeah, I was going to say it sounds like they're putting in turf instead. So, it'll be full of drainage to a basin that will actually be a lot better than what it is now.

Yeah. So the elevation down to my yard is where we get significant um flooding. And so I want to make sure that that's just something that's on the radar is being addressed because I'm afraid that the field's going to go in at that level and it's all going to sink right where it does and then we flood out all the time through there. I haven't been able to plant things back through there yet because we had to have dirt brought in and everything just to try and build up what was in there. So I just wanted to kind of bring those things back to the attention. Like I said at the last one, I'm trusting that you guys know the ordinances better than I do and will still hold the school accountable, which I think is happening now with meeting with them on Friday. And I appreciate that um response. So I just wanted to make sure you guys I I didn't know the field was moving so much closer. Like I hadn't seen the plans until they

sent them to me. So and I know I wasn't here for that exact meeting, but I what I've read through it's going to actually be a permeable surface. So all of the rain that falls down straight will go straight down and through the drainage. So it'll no longer run. Usually a field is pitch actually help with your It should actually help your yard. Yeah, that would be nice. And I did look into it after um when you guys come up and spoke at council. Um and we do have it on there that the school will work with you all to make sure that that foliage is put back and the screening is there. So yeah. Um

yeah, if there's one thing that we like more, it's more trees. I think even with the the recent renovation that they have at the nursing facility, we had them add more there and even include a walking path that's over on the side where they just wanted to leave green space. So, I know I can kind of speak for everybody up here that we're going to make sure that there is a lot of trees, a lot of landscape, a lot of coverage, and also protection from the residents who live right next to it. If I remember correctly, they had asked for a variance so they didn't have to do as much landscaping to replace. Then they pulled that back. Yeah. So they recognized that, yeah, we're not going to put in five when we're taking out 20. They said, well, yeah, they removed that variance to be able to put in.

Yeah, they had to meet at least our minimum. I'm more but if it is 23t away, is our we'll never this last. 25 ft is the max distance. Is did we approve that or does that get does DRB? We'll have to look at it. Yeah, because I think they need to meet that 25 ft, right? I don't I don't know what the co like if the field stops at 23 or does the field count as grass? Like I don't know. Sure. Yeah. The way they explained it, the edge of the coach's box is 23 ft. Oh, okay. So, so because I asked specifically, I was I thought where the light poles were, that's the edge of the field. I didn't think that they were moving the edge of the field. I didn't think that. But so that's what that was my concern was that that is significantly closer.

And I don't know if they have changed anything since, but it did mention in there that they're not going to have lighting on the field. They may rent lighting if they need it for nighttime, but they don't plan on having anything past current hours and things are operated out there. Yeah. What they explained to me is that they're putting in the They do have plans for lighting, just not initially because it's very expensive. Yeah. I think they said they were going to stub it in, but Yeah. not have everything at that. So, which was it? 700,000 or something like that for that. A lot. Yeah. 700,000 I think that they said. Yeah. A ridiculous amount. But, you know, if we're having rented lights, then it's going to be the same, right, is this year for us. So, thank you. I appreciate it being with us. We really do. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you.

We have any other public comment or items not on the agenda? How do we make sure that the the soccer distance the 25 ft is met? How does that get held up? I don't know how. We'll talk with the school. We have a school leazison that can work with them, too. Okay. Yeah. Still go through all of the approvals and everything as well. I don't know if everything was clearing trees now. It's not like they're building. So, yeah. Yeah. We'll make sure. Zach Brook, did you say that you did meet with them on Friday or you're going to meet with them? They just called me tonight to meet this Friday. Okay. to kind of go over some ideas that they came up with since we last talked. Okay.

And I would imagine the coach's box be like a piece of cement. I don't know. I said I'm wondering like how fancy. Is it the coach's box or is it the press box? That's the press box is on the baseball field. It's on the baseball field side. So, the coach's box where the teams will sit will be on her side. Coach's box should just be like a square on the ground. It's not an actual might just be spray painted. Yeah, it might literally be a line on the ground. might just be a line on the grass. Yeah. Okay. That means the edge of their field will be I think 23 edge of the actual field. Okay. Coach's boxing for the school.

No other public comment. We'll move on to item number four. Action on the minutes on January 13. I'll make a motion to approve as written. I'll second. As written. Kyle, yes. Todd McConnell, yes. Brian Heel, yes. Mark,

abstain for absence. Moving on to second item number five, section 1159, light manufacturing. We had tabled this last meeting. Do we want to move it back off the table to have a conversation about it? Uh from my understanding we do not have what we had requested from MKSK clearly with them not being present. You're not prepared. We don't have uh that. So can we just leave that tabled and yes okay that's what you want tabled till next meeting. Do I need to double check if there's public comment for that? Cuz I'm assuming that there may.

I mean, you can, but yeah, if you leave it on the table, I mean, if you all aren't discussing it, but if there is comments regarding it, do you have any more any more comments? No, I don't think we have any comments. We're just curious to see if there were any updates. Yeah, I think we're going to wait to just have further direction on the curb cuts and then we'll move forward after that. Uh, but any idea when that might happen? I would assume it'd be the next meeting. Hoping hoping

it's um it's being reviewed by our planner MKSK. So, he just said he was not prepared to continue the conversation tonight. So, if if there were comments prior to the next meeting or whatever that might be, would those be in the staff report or something that we could call to see ahead of the meeting if they come in or I don't know if he will send anything out ahead to the board. I don't know. I'm not sure what his process is. We'll move it off the table next meeting. Yeah. And I mean we can make sure to try to have something if you mean we can request from him that he has an update that we just

I'll touch base with him. I'll send him an email and just ask him where he's at with it. And is he planning on coming next meeting? Yeah. That way we can note something on the agenda that says that we'll have an update. Right. And if he's not here, they don't need to come, right? I think that's kind of your point. Be an inter. I think realistically that's a thing that we're waiting on is their review and once we have that we can have a different discussion on it. All right, moving on. Item number six, public hearing for amendments to chapter 1187, text of the design, review, administration, and regulations. Do we just make need to make a motion to approve or any discussion?

Yeah, if there's any questions or discussion that needs to be had. So, I I'll I'll make comments on this. So, is this I guess my first comment is I didn't see this in the original piece that I had read when I read this. Is this already passed through city council? Then that is just a motion. That's the resolution where they initiated the zoning text amendment. This zoning text amendment

is being recommended as part of the design review guidelines. And I believe that staff was looking to have both of those passed at the same time because it's written in this code text amendment is written into the design guidelines. So they need to kind of go together, but there's a longer process of changing a zoning text amendment. Okay. It needed to come to you for a public hearing and then it needs to go back to council. So there were so there were a few items that were in here that I'm just going to say I didn't I need explained. Sure.

I didn't care for what it was saying. I shouldn't say it that that sounds pretty strong. I didn't understand that what the language was. So I just needed to understand better what this means. So in the 118702 under definitions I think it's under F. I wrote this down correctly. Mhm. Maybe it's changed because I can't find it in the same same area. There was a there was a mention of being approved by somebody and it said or designate. Mhm.

I don't understand what board design means. Does that mean that somebody work working at a local coffee shop can approve something or does that mean that it has to be somebody that is part of and I don't mean that in a bad way. I just met like somebody outside of um the city of Johntown, the government, the workers of because I understand that sometimes Teresa, you can approve things or somebody else can approve something in the office if it's just a minor piece of it. But when it just says or designate, it's there. It's under app. It's on the Yeah, it's on the next page. It's on the very last up. It's any proposed construction or alteration that may be approved by a city manager or designate. Okay.

Environmental change minor may be sent. to the design review board by the city manager. Like what he's asking is what does design mean? Yes, that's my question. What does designate mean? No, it's not. But that's what I was going to say. That's a good thought. But no, typically a designate would be like an assistant city manager or Yeah. thinking in terms has to be a city a city employee. Um yeah, employee. I've never seen it not be. Yeah. Okay. So that's why I just want to ensure that no good question

that what that what that is. So if it needs to be defined in here what other design is then I'm okay with that just leaving it at that I mean to me reading that as a as a public person in the city is like what does that mean? mean that anybody could I guess I read it as a designate is somebody that is appointed by the city manager and I would and I would hope that that would be the assumption yeah should we add that language just say or someone the design would or just instead of designate or appointed by the city manager we could just probably maybe ask for a definition of what designate is to the

definition page yeah just have that put into the definitions because there is some additional words is it's been stricken out but city staff including the city engineer and the city planner, the city manager or designates. Right. So, there's a lot of things that have been stricken out in here which makes it seem it's more it's a lot more condensed. Mhm. And doesn't give a whole lot of definition to the to a lot of these pieces that are in here. And so that made me really nervous. And so I was like, well, what does designy mean? What does that mean? Design is called out in like every single one that they have to. It's either city manager or designate. Yep.

Okay. So if it if it does mean that if we need to have a definition or to actually state or other city employee, you an appropriate city employee. Yeah. To be able to do that. And then 11 118703 in the first paragraph, the design review districts, I'm reading the change piece of it. Design review districts are defined in the Johnstown design guidelines and uh include downtown core, gateway, corridors, neighborhoods, and employment. What does employment mean?

It's like the business park. Yeah, business parkway. In inside of this design guidelines, downtown. Mhm. It defi there's a map that defines all of those. Well, it doesn't have you seen that it doesn't define the map that I have seen. I mean, it says like manufacturing and residential and mixed use does not define that. There's a different one because I technically live in the gateway corridor. Brian, have you seen the complete overhaul, too? I don't know. I I've seen I've seen like what he's pointing out with the districts where they say LM and then that's on ours, but the one that the design review board's doing. Yeah. I don't think I've seen that. I haven't seen that either. No.

Be good for both of you to see that it's actually one cuz if you go to the next paragraph, you can see that that's all been stricken out. Yeah. Where it was the design review districts have been defined as design review districts and standard plan. It calls out GCC 1, GCC 2. So it is a different map than what you may have seen before. So there's a so there's so one area of the city could be designated in two different ways. So basically like where Kroger is is the gateway corridor. Okay. Um downtown core I think is kind of obvious.

And then we've got basically the other two are neighborhoods and employment. So employment is going to be both of your PD district as well as the light manufacturing district. And your neighborhoods are you know, behind tractor supply, behind wits, uh, leafy dell, you've seen all of this, right? Yeah. Okay. I wonder, Teresa, if it would be better, um, instead of making a motion tonight, like we can, this could be the initial conversation, but it'd be good for both of them to see that complete packet that was presented to us, council, um, and the design review board put together with MKSK. Ray,

do you want me to just send out the draft? I think that would be cool. That way they can they can both see it. So because I think that'll answer a lot of the questions that they have based on some of this because Mark and I are a little bit of an advantage because we've seen the process of this getting put together. Yeah, it's been a long time coming. It's it's been it's been around a little bit. So yeah, it's the recent. So So employment is a district then. Is that what that means? Yeah, technically just a district. So it's not separate from code. It's just designated by the design review. Okay. Okay. which includes a couple of codes that I think the only reason that this is coming to us is because this is actually changing the code. Okay. To adopt what design review board's doing. Okay.

Um so we need to approve this so that that can go in. Um but if you guys would feel more comfortable looking over everything and kind of getting a better feel for what it all is first, that's that's fine. Yeah, I wasn't aware that there were two different maps. I understand the way that you're explaining it. It makes sense what you're explaining. I just haven't seen those, so I don't know what those

what those are. So, I can email that out to everyone. And then if you don't want to make recommendation tonight, you don't have to. Um, it just says that within 30 days after the public hearing, which is tonight, you shall make your recommendation to council. We got to we put it on the next two agendas then, right? Cuz we have two here. Well, we would just put it on the next one. Okay. Okay. Because that'll give us two weeks to to look it over. And then if there's a resolution, then it's great. if there's an approval.

So, what we'll do then is we'll make a motion to send it up to council to approve and we can also send it with changes and all we will be motioning on is this addition, not what will be getting sent here so that you can review it. Yeah, you can recommend any modification to it um when you send it to council. Yeah, because then council can look at it and say yes, we'll take it with the changes or they can request additional changes themselves too. So, still got to go through that. Um, I will open it up to public comment cuz I said we have some an audience today, which is always fun. Yeah. Okay.

So, we don't have to do I don't mean to shut down your questions either. If you have further questions on it now. No, I I think I'll I'll hold on to those until after I see that because that was a big big piece. I guess the other piece was that there was a and that'll better explain this too as you're looking through it. Okay, good. Yeah. Okay. Because I know that this was, you know, for um if it's a major or a minor change, then that would go along with who would be able to approve that, which was what my first question was uh this evening. And then um yeah, so that's where

and I don't know if you heard Mark explain to Brian, but the whole point is to have it to where staff can go ahead and approve things or it's already defined in the the code what can be approved without anybody. But that way staff can do it. Not everything has to come through a board, right? You know, that way it's less red tape for the citizens to just go ahead and do stuff. Okay, we can just leave it, right? Because it's just a public hearing. We don't have to Yep. You you fulfilled the commitment tonight to hold the public hearing and you have 30 days to make your recommendation. So, if you want to just pick it up where you left off last at the next meeting, you can. Okay. Yeah, if you could send that to us. Thank you, Teresa. I appreciate it.

Yes. Go ahead. Or I guess I should have him tell you that. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Well, thanks. If you just told us how to do it, he's Sorry, Mark. No, you're perfectly fine. I'm going to take all the help I can get. Uh, moving on to other business. Sounds like we have none. Have no extra folks here that might talk to anything else. So, I will make a motion to adjurnn. I'll second. All in favor? I fast one yet.