Planning Commission Meeting Update

September 12, 2007                  Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Dan Carpenter, Michael Multari, John Ashbaugh, Amanda Brodie, Diana Gould-Wells, Vice-Chairperson Charles Stevenson and Chairperson Carlyn Christianson 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  Agenda was accepted as presented.   

MINUTES:    The minutes of August 8, 2007 and August 22, 2007 were approved without any changes.   

PUBLIC COMMENT:  There was no public comment.  

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        2321 Broad Street. FH 59-07: Appeal of the Director’s denial of a Fence Height Exception request to allow a 5 foot fence where a 3 foot fence is allowed along the street yard property line; R-2 zone; Matthew Frakes, applicant. (Brian Leveille)  (continued from July 25, 2007) 

Associate Planner Leveille made the presentation recommending denying the appeal but approving the exception for a reduced fence height of four (4) feet.  Other recommended conditions included painting or staining the fence to match the residence, removing the parabolic mirror, and reducing the height of the fence at the corner to improve sight distance.  

The applicant, Matthew Frakes, supported the staff recommendation and appreciated the opportunity to work out a solution with staff.    

The Commission discussed the proposed alternatives and the specific circumstances in the subject case.  On motion by Commissioner Multari, seconded by Commissioner Gould-Wells, the Commssion voted 4:3 to approve the exception as recommended by staff. Commissioners Ashbaugh, Stevenson, and Carpenter could not make the required findings and voted against the motion.    

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

2.        Staff 

        A.   Code Enforcement Update (Tim Girvin and Gene Gailey) 

Chief Building Official Girvin and Code Enforcement Officer Gailey provided an overview of the code enforcement program.  Discussion endued about the nature and number of cases and the program’s emphasis on neighborliness and voluntary compliance.  The Commission all appreciated the good work on code enforcement and offered several suggestions to improve educational efforts, particularly regarding fence height regulations.    

        B.   Agenda Forecast – Deputy Director Davidson provided the agenda forecast.  

3.        Commission – There was no further Commission discussion.  

The meeting ADJOURNED to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street.