June 8, 2009
Jun 10th, 09
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF PENNFIELD
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MEETING MINUTES JUNE 8, 2009
Recording Secretary Sandra Cummings called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Election of officers for the year 2009 will take place after Pledge of Allegiance. Let the record reflect that new members Terri Fowler and Curtis Whitaker were administered the Oath of Office by Clerk Kathy Case prior to the beginning of this meeting. Lindsay Draime was sworn in also, as an alternate member.
Members Present: Perry Beard, Terri Fowler, Jerry Robinson, Curtis Whitaker, and Lindsay Draime, alternate member. Frank Schumacher was excused. A quorum was met.
Others Present: Sandra Cummings, Recording Secretary; Rob Behnke, Pennfield Township Supervisor/Zoning Administrator; and Gary Saterbak, manager of Bear Holdings III, LLC, owner and developer of The Pines At Pennfield, formerly Crown Chase Apartments.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
a) Chairperson: Motion was made by Curtis Whitaker, seconded by Lindsay Draime, to nominate Jerry Robinson to the position of Chairperson. Motion passed by unanimous consent.
b) Vice-Chairperson: Motion was made by Curtis Whitaker, seconded by Lindsay Draime, to nominate Perry Beard to the position of Vice-Chairperson. Motion passed by unanimous consent.
c) Secretary: Motion was made by Perry Beard, seconded by Curtis Whitaker, to nominate Terri Fowler to the position of Secretary. Motion passed by unanimous consent.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
No additions or deletions.
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 3, 2008 MEETING MINUTES:
A motion was made by Perry Beard, seconded by Lindsay Draime to approve the minutes from the previous Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on December 3, 2008. Motion carried.
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NEW BUSINESS:
a) Public Hearing for a two-part variance request from Bear Holdings, III, LLC, owner of The Pines At Pennfield, formerly Crown Chase Apartments.
A public hearing was held to consider a two-part non-use variance request from Bear Holdings III, LLC, owner of The Pines At Pennfield, located at 1417 Capital Avenue N.E. The apartment complex is located in an R-3 zoning district, and relief is requested from Section 16.03 (Sign Regulations), Item C (10) and Item H (Sign Regulations for R-3 Zoning district) of the Pennfield Township Zoning Ordinance.
The request was presented by Gary Saterbak, general manager of Bear Holdings III, LLC. Mr. Saterbak indicated that the new sign is already under construction, with the total size being 92 square feet. The maximum square footage for signs in an R-3 zoning district is only 16 square feet. It was pointed out by Lindsay Draime that this section of the Sign Regulation Ordinance for Pennfield is antiquated, and that revision and/or amendments of this highly restrictive ordinance would be in order, especially as it pertains to a commercial business district such as Capital Avenue. It was stated that the size of the sign would not make a negative impact on the neighborhood, and that a number of other businesses in the area had applied for and been granted similar variances in the recent past.
The second part of the variance request pertains to the addition of a digital reader board to be located at the bottom part of the sign. The size of the digital readout area is 15 inches high by 120 inches long. It would be used to post announcements pertaining to residents or potential residents of the apartment complex, such as “move-in” specials, pool opening, and club-house activities. The contents of the reader board would be regulated by corporate officials of the apartment complex. It will be determined at a later date whether the sign will “scroll” or have “static” messages. It was pointed out by board members that “flashing” messages are often distracting to motorists, and should be regulated as to the duration of the messages.
There were no public comments in regard to the variance request, and no phone calls or written correspondence were received prior to the meeting.
Regarding variance for relief of maximum size limit from 16 square feet to a total of 94 square feet, a motion was made by Perry Beard, seconded by Terri Fowler to approve the request. Motion carried. Voice Vote follows:
Perry Beard: yes Terri Fowler: yes Jerry Robinson: yes Curtis Whitaker: yes
Frank Schumacher: excused Lindsay Draime: yes
Regarding variance to allow for a digital reader board, a motion was made by Lindsay Draime to approve the request, with a condition that the Sign Contractor set up the timing
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of the message board so as not to be a distraction to passing motorists. Motion was seconded by Curtis Whitaker. Motion carried. Voice vote follows:
Perry Beard: no Terri Fowler: yes
Jerry Robinson yes Curtis Whitaker: yes
Frank Schumacher: excused Lindsay Draime: yes
CITIZEN COMMENTS
No comments at this time.
BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS
Lindsay Draime is glad to be back as an alternate member.
Jerry Robinson welcomes new members Curtis Whitaker and Terri Fowler.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Supervisor/Zoning Administrator Rob Behnke announced that the Pennfield Township web site has now been updated to include GIS Mapping, enabling viewers to see aerial layouts of the township. Also, all meeting minutes may be viewed on the web site. The Zoning Board of Appeals members will be getting I.D. badges soon.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Curtis Whitaker, seconded by Perry Beard, to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 pm. Motion carried.
Sandra Cummings
Recording Secretary
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