Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

CITY OF ROCK HILL

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

April 4, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

1. Commission Members in attendance: Bernadette de la Fuente, Rita Green, Art Korte, David Lancaster, Chad Meyer, Art Mitchell, Tim Norton, Peter Tuffli, T.J. Redmond, George Liyeos, and Neil Cantwell.

2. Minutes of the February 15th meeting: A Motion was made by Peter Tuffli and seconded by Bernadette de la Fuente to approve the Minutes of March 15 th with a noted correction. The Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Korte stated that the correction would be made and the revised Minutes e- mailed to Mr. Lancaster.

4. A Motion was made by Tim Norton and seconded by Art Korte to approve the agenda for this meeting. The Motion passed unanimously.

5. Update from the Chairman regarding the MVOB and Draft Sign Ordinance – Mr. Lancaster noted that both documents are still being worked on. He requested that members send him any suggestions or additions that they might have.

6. The narrative from Michael Riley, Architect, for 9713 Whitestone Terrace was reviewed, a copy of which had been provided to the Members prior to the meeting. The issue related to the fact that the only area of the addition to have any brick would be the piers along the north elevation of the building. The Members agreed that the City Attorney’s opinion as written and provided to the Members was not appropriate to this issue as the brick on the piers would not comply with the standard that any addition have brick in substantial proportion to the rest of the house.

A Motion was made by Bernadette de la Fuente and seconded by Tim Norton to disapprove the design guidelines as submitted. The Motion passed unanimously.

7. The Architectural Review of a new home at 1215 Kortwright submitted by Architect Alvah Levine for Ken and Megan Pribish was considered. The north setback does not meet the required setback of 10% of the lot width or 8’ 9”in this case, whichever is greater. Since P&Z cannot provide a variance, the Architect could come up with a plan “B”, or submit a request to the Board of

Adjustment for a variance. A 15 day notice would be required for the Board of Adjustment hearing.

A motion was made by Chad Meyer and seconded by Peter Tuffli to approve the Site Plan contingent upon settling the setback requirements. The Motion was approved unanimously. A Motion was made by Rita Green and seconded by Chad Meyer to approve the Architectural Review. The Motion passed unanimously.

8. The Architectural Review for the proposed new addition for 1242 McKinley was submitted by William and Elaine Moffat. Since the plans for the new addition now contain masonry on all sides it meets requirements. A Motion was made by Rita Green and seconded by Chad Meyer to approve the Architectural Review for 1242 McKinley. The Motion passed unanimously.

9. A request to make a temporary sign into a permanent sign submitted by the owner of the Book House was considered. The owner, Michelle Barron, stated that she had received approval from P&Z to use her temporary sign until a new sign ordinance could be enacted. Minutes of that meeting do not reflect such a decision. Mr. Cantwell stated that he will be working with the property owner to update and properly maintain the existing sign pole. A Motion was made by Bernadette de la Fuente and seconded by Rita Green that the existing temporary sign be removed. The Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Barron then requested that a “Going Out Of Business” sign be allowed since her business will be moving. Such a sign could be used for a total of two weeks.

10. Mr. Stein spoke of a proposed subdivision of 225 Lithia from one lot into two so that two new homes can be constructed. Mr. Cantwell’s review noted that since the splitting of the lot into two would cause a frontage width of 45’ for each lot when a 50’ lot width is a minimum as stated in Section 410.210 A of the City’s zoning code. Rita Green opposed the splitting of the lot. Mr. Stein stated that there is a need for affordable housing and that is the reason for the subdivision of the lot. A Motion was made by Chad Meyer and seconded by T. J. Redmond to approve the subdivision contingent upon approval of a variance by the Board of Adjustment. The Motion passed but with Bernadette de la Fuente and Rita Green casting no votes.

11. The Commission reviewed a request by Stein Brothers Management, Inc to consolidate two lots into one at 303 Euclid that has yet to be recorded. A Motion was made by Tim Norton and seconded by Chad Meyer to approve the Site Plan for 303 Euclid. The Motion passed unanimously. In relation to the Architectural Review Commission members decried the plan to have another home with a jutting garage in front of the house. Mr. Stein stated that the issue is that families desire a two-car garage, which has the added affect of taking cars off of the street. A Motion was made by Tim Norton and seconded by Peter Tuffli to deny the Architectural Review of 303 Euclid. The Motion passed unanimously.

12. Mr. Dan Murphy from Mayer Homes, Inc. presented his request to build two new homes at 9214 and 9216 Shortridge. Commission Members expressed their concern regarding drainage below the site. Mr. Murphy explained that the yards of his new homes are entirely sodded reducing runoff problems. A Motion was made by Chad Meyer and seconded by Peter Tuffli to approve the Site Plan for these two homes but upon the contingency that water be piped to the front of the development. Also, that Mr. Cantwell will inspect and recommend the condition of the water flow at the rear of the home. The Motion passed unanimously. There was then an extended exchange between Mr. Murphy and Commission Members regarding the Architectural Review of the homes. The Commission expressed its frustration that builders continue to present plans for houses with garages being the prominent feature of the house, and that they jut so far in the front of the house. Mr. Murphy complained that the Commission is being arbitrary in its concern about these homes, when he has had previous plans presented and approved. The Commission adamantly explained that there are other ways to design homes than in the manner of having the garage the being major architectural feature of a house. A Motion was made by Tim Norton and seconded by Bernadette de la Fuente to disapprove the Architectural Plan for 9214 Shortridge because the house does not blend into the existing neighborhood, and the jutting garage does not fit into the standards that the Commission is insisting upon for new houses. The Motion Passed unanimously.

A Motion was made by Bernadette de la Fuente and seconded by Peter Tuffli to disapprove the Architectural Plan for 9216 Shortridge for the same reasons as the disapproval of 9214 Shortridge. The Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Murphy disagreed with the Commission’s findings stating that they were unfair. He stated that he was never presented with the Commission’s concerns about new home designs. Mr. Liyeos intervened telling Mr. Murphy that he was out of order, and that in fact he has previously been made very aware of what the Commission is trying to do with its insistence on better home designs.

13. Mr. Jack Lyons, owner of Television Engineering Corporation, presented a remodel of a warehouse at 2647 Rock Hill Industrial Court. The major issue at hand was the tower to be constructed would require a Special Use Permit according to the City Attorney. The Commission noted that the proposed new remodel meets the most stringent requirements for an accessory building in any zoned area where they are currently allowed (Residential A). A Motion was made by Peter Tuffli and seconded by Art Mitchell to approve the submission to the Board of Aldermen for a Special Use Permit for a new two-way broadcast tower to be installed at the front of the building. The Motion passed unanimously.

14. The Site Plan and Architectural Review of a proposed new addition of a detached garage to the rear of the property of California Custom Decks at 9227 Manchester Road were presented. A Motion was made by Chad Meyer and seconded by Peter Tuffli to approve the Site Plan as presented. The Motion passed unanimously. A Motion was made by Chad Meyer and seconded by Art Korte to approve the Architectural Plans as submitted. The Motion passed unanimously.

15. Plans were reviewed for the Rock Hill Public Input Meeting scheduled for Wednesday April 12 for citizens and Commission Members to review newly proposed Residential Design Guidelines, discuss their concerns, and present their ideas regarding infill housing, which will be incorporated into the final Guidelines.

A motion was made by Chad Meyer and seconded by Peter Tuffli to adjourn the meeting. The Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting ended at 9:35 p.m.

______Date:______Art Korte, Secretary

______Date:______David Lancaster, Chairman