The Plainfield Board of Zoning Appeals met on Thursday, February 19, 2009. In attendance were Ms. Duffer, Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Monnett.
ROLL CALL/DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
Mr. Carlucci administered the Roll Call.
Mr. Carlucci said the board is made up of five members. We only have three members here tonight. To approve anything tonight all three members would have to vote with an affirmative to approve this petition tonight. Would the petitioner like to have a continuance or go forward tonight?
Mr. Reeder said we would like to go forward.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Gibbs made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2009 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting as submitted. Second by Ms. Duffer. Motion carried.
OATH OF TESTIMONY
Mr. Carlucci administered the Oath of Testimony this evening.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mr. Monnett reviewed the Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Public Hearings.
Mr. James said BZA-09-002, SSOE, Inc. needs to be continued to probably the April meeting because it got continued at the Plan Commission to the April Plan Commission meeting.
Ms. Duffer made a motion to continue BZA-09-002, SSOE, Inc. to the April Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. Second by Mr. Gibbs. Roll call vote called.
Ms. Duffer – Yes
Mr. Gibbs – yes
Mr. Monnett – yes
Mr. Cavanaugh – absent
3-ayes, 0-opposed, 1-absent.
Mr. James said BZA-09-001 is a request for a variance to reduce the side yard setback for an accessory structure in the “P” Park District from 20' to 0' to allow for a 24' x 56' expansion on an existing maintenance structure in Hummel Park. Back in 1999 a Special Exception was granted to allow the existing building to be constructed. At that time it was in the park master plan. A waiver was granted with the Special Exception to allow for the 0' side yard setback for the existing maintenance building. In 2004 the Zoning Ordinance was amended when the “P” Park District was created and then in 2007 the zoning for Hummel Park was changed to the “P” Park District. This changed the approval of a park master plan from the Board of Zoning Appeals to the Plan Commission by approval of a park master plan instead of by a Special Exception. The original building was approved by a Special Exception in 1999 with a 0' setback and then under the new zoning of the “P” Park District the director can approve an accessory structure addition through the issuance of an Improvement Location Permit. An amended park master plan or a Special Exception is no longer required.
Here is the site at Hummel Park at 1500 S. Center. Here is the Guilford Township Community Building. This is the existing maintenance building. It is adjacent to the PUD development and there is a retention pond to the south. This is Waterfront Apartments right here and here is South Center. So, the community center and the apartments do a good job of screening the building. Here you see the zoning was changed to the “P” Park District. The building is set back 300' from the new right-of-way of Center Street. The right-of-way was changed a little bit when the roundabout was installed last year. So, this proposed 24' expansion to the east would still be 280' from the Center Street. The expansion will match the material of the existing building. It will be all metal siding and a metal roof. In the Staff's opinion when the original building was approved with the Special Exception, the building materials were approved. The “P” Park District has no architectural requirements for building materials.
Here is a photograph of the existing building. It will be expanded out about four feet and 56 feet across. This is a view heading south down Center Street. It is fairly well hidden by the landscaping and the community center. This is right at the entrance to Hummel Park so you wouldn't even notice it but with the new roundabout you better be paying attention to the road instead of looking off over here. The Park District has no architectural requirements. The expansion will match the existing building. It will be metal siding and a metal roof. In Staff's opinion the material was approved with the Special Exception. The fact that the building is set back 200' it is screened by existing buildings and they will not encroach upon existing or any future development. Jason may help justify the variance. Mr. Reeder with Banning Engineering is here. He did the engineering plans for the expansion and I'm sure he would be glad to answer any questions that you might have.
Mr. Walt Reeder with Banning Engineering at 853 Columbia Road said I really don't have anything to add to what Joe has said. He has stated it very adequately. If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to address them.
Mr. Monnett asked, did you work on the original building?
Mr. Reeder said no sir I did not.
Mr. Gibbs asked, (inaudible) building materials.
Mr. Reeder said as close as we can get to the color yes.
Mr. Monnett asked, it's a metal roof correct?
Mr. Reeder said yes.
Ms. Duffer asked, (inaudible).
(Inaudible).
Mr. Carlucci administered the Oath of Testimony to Bill Luellen.
Mr. Bill Luellen said I'm the Facilities Maintenance Administrator for Guilford Township. The only thing that I wanted to bring up is I mentioned a couple of times that it would be a metal roof. The existing roof is just standard and we will match that so that everything looks common with the original building. It is shingled and we plan on having shingles to extend that.
Mr. Monnett asked, is there anyone in the audience who would care to speak on this matter? Being no one coming forward I will close that portion of the meeting to the public and I will open it up to the board for discussion or a possible motion.
Ms. Duffer made a motion that the Board of Zoning Appeals approve BZA-09-001 as filed by the Guilford Township Trustee requesting a variance to reduce the side yard setback for an accessory structure from 20' to 0' to allow the 24' x 56' expansion of an existing maintenance structure in Hummel Park at 1500 S. Center St. subject to the following condition:
1. Substantial compliance with the site plan and building elevations submitted file dated January 16, 2009.
Second by Mr. Gibbs. Roll call vote called.
Ms. Duffer – yes
Mr. Gibbs – yes
Mr. Monnett – yes
Mr. Cavanaugh – absent
3-ayes, 0-opposed, 1-absent. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Monnett asked, is there any information on the wind turbines?
Mr. James said we haven't finished our research yet.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gibbs made a motion to adjourn. Second by Ms. Duffer. Motion carried.
