The Ellettsville, Indiana, Plan Commission
met in regular session on
Roll Call:
Frank Buczolich, Terry Baker, Don Calvert, Lisa Creech and Jeffrey
York, Planning and Zoning Administrator were present. Ed Bitner and Sandra Hash were absent.
Approval of the minutes for June 3rd,
2004
Terry Baker
made a motion to approve the minutes of June 2004. Lisa Creech seconded. Motion carried.
Old Business
Don Kinser’s Mini-Warehouse Facility,
Glenn Benninger reminded the Board of
his complaints and asked what was being done about the issues. He wanted to give fair warning that he has
already begun the process to file a lawsuit against Mr. Kinser and the Town. If
nothing is going to be resolved then he plans to proceed with the lawsuits.
Jeff York reminded the Board the Benningers have attended several Town meetings concerning
the Mr. Kinser’s facility and he has looked into the issues and researched the
Town Code. The only action the Town can
take in accordance with Town Code is making sure the lighting is pointed away
from the residential areas. He has sent
a violation letter to Mr. Kinser concerning his motion lighting. The other complaints concerning hours of
operation and public indecency the Plan Commission can not enforce. Public
indecency is a Police enforcement issue.
The Town can not limit the hours of operation. He asked Mr. Kinser if he would limit the
hours of operation and he said no but added if there were problems he would
consider limiting the hours. Jeff York
said Mr. Kinser doesn’t like being forced to do things that aren’t in the Town
Code. Jeff and
Rick Coppock reiterated he had looked at the retention pond and said Mr. Kinser still has work to do on it and as time goes on he will make sure Mr. Kinser follows the plans as originally designed and approved.
Glenn Benninger requested an official
letter from the Town which explains what the Town can or can not do according
to Code about the issues he has brought to the Town Council and Plan
Commission. He added if the lighting
keeps his kids awake at night and they fall asleep in school, the school has
been known to contact parents about kids sleeping in class so he needs the
letter by August 16th before classes begin on the 17th.
New Business
Parking, Loading and Driveway Amendment
Proposal
Jeff York explained hindsight has
showed that the Parking Ordinance that was passed previously has many
difficulties when trying to enforce; specifically in older subdivisions where
driveways were smaller, homes had one car garages and on street parking was
prohibited. Therefore, he has reviewed
·
Page 1
section 152.220 proposed adding the line “except where on-street parking is
permitted” to #1. He proposed removal
of #3, #4 and #5.
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Page 2
He proposed removal of #10 & #11.
Added #12 which reads “New driveways intersecting streets that are
hard-surfaced must have a surface apron made of concrete, asphalt or pavers
extending back into the lot from the street ten (10) feet.”
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Page 3
section 152.222 added “commercial and industrial uses shall be subject to the
following standards.” He proposed
removal of the rest of the introductory paragraph.
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Page 4
added letter G which reads “Parking within a landscaped area or lawn area is
strictly prohibited.” Section 152.223 (A),
he proposed removal of the line “Where on street parking is available in front
of a single family or two family home” and added the line “Required off-street
parking spaces may include space(s) provided within a garage or carport. Where on-street parking is permitted in
residential areas, any vehicle parked in specified areas permitted for on-street
parking shall be considered in compliance with these regulations.” He proposed removal of the line “Parking
areas shall be maintained in good condition and free of chuckholes, weeds,
dirt, trash and debris.”
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Page 5
no changes made.
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Page 6
Added section a new section 152.224 Location of Parking Spaces (a) Street
Setbacks. 1. Single-Family Districts and Two-Family
Districts. Parking for single-family
residential uses shall be prohibited within the setback between the street and
the building except on a single driveway not exceeding the width of an attached
garage facing the street or twenty-two feet in width where there is no attached
garage facing the street. Parking on any
portion of the setback between the street and the building or on a lawn in the
front yard shall be prohibited. Parking
shall not be permitted in driveways serving parking lots. 2.
Multi-Family Districts. Parking
for multi-family residential uses shall be prohibited within the required
street setback as set forth in 12.190. Parking
shall not be permitted in driveways serving parking lots. Parking shall be prohibited on lawns. (b)
Side and Rear Yards. 1. Single-Family Districts. Parking areas may occupy a maximum of fifty
percent of the area extending from the rear of the principal structure to the
rear lot line between side lot lines.
2. Multi-Family Districts. The side and rear parking setback requirement
shall be one-half the building setback for the district or five feet whichever
is greater. Changed the current 152.224
to 152.225.
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Page 7
changed 152.225 to 152.226 and 152.226 to 152.227
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Page 8
He proposed removal of section 152.226 (152.227) A. Construction the entire
paragraph which reads “New driveways intersecting streets that are
hard-surfaced must ... 152.223 (B) 2.
Ancillary parking areas are not required to be paved.” Added an asterisk in the Driveway Standard
Table under Single-Family Residential which refers to the line “Drives may be
located at property line in the case of shared driveways.”
·
Page 9
changed 152.227 to 152.228. He proposed removal
of the line “A permit fee for a residential driveway shall be $25.00. Fines associated for noncompliance with the
above regulations shall be as follows:” Also removed paragraph detailing
offenses and fines associated with each offense as well as the line “A person
who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.” Added the paragraph “A written letter, sent
by regular mail, shall constitute as a warning.
Additionally, tickets may be levied against the property owner who does
not comply with the above regulations within 60 days after the written
letter. The first ticket issued shall indicate
a remedy for the violator to comply. Any
additional tickets shall be levied a fine of $25.00 each.
Jeff read a
letter to the Plan Commission of support from Patrick Stoffers. It reads:
Dear Plan
Commission Members,
I am writing in support of the proposed
amendments to the Ellettsville Town Code relating to Parking, Loading and
Driveways. It is my belief the proposal
is reasonable and reflects a common sense approach. Quite clearly, we should have a concise
policy regulating these types of activities.
In years past, town regulating actions has in many respects been
non-existent. Previous town councils
have not recognized the changes in our community. The days of single-earner household are
gone. With heightened demands placed on
the family in terms of children, time, travel and resources it is not
particularly unusual to see households with 3, 4, 5 or more vehicles. It may in fact be the norm today. The town government did a poor job of
recognizing this reality. For example,
our older neighborhoods tend to have insufficient street width to safely allow
on-street parking. This in turn has
created a conflict between strict and in many cases irrational interpretations
of the town code versus simple common sense, relative to changes in our
community. There is nothing virtuous in
enforcing outdated code provisions that do not reasonably reflect the current
situation. Jeff’s proposal is
sensible. Among other things, it
simplifies the processes and procedures and it removes government-created
burdens placed on residents in areas of town where street parking is prohibited
by allowing parking in the side and rear yards.
While I support prohibiting parking on front lawns, Jeff’s proposal is a
reasonable alternative to what I believe is an irrational policy of prohibiting
parking on all landscape areas. I urge a
favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission on Mr. York’s proposed amendments. Sincerely, Patrick Stoffers, President,
Ellettsville
Ed Bitner came in late.
Comments:
Terry Baker agreed permits should be issued for driveways so the Board knows where any and all new drives are proposed and agreed $5.00 would be sufficient.
Ed Bitner said in relation to 152.220, #12 should be left in because his driveway has an apron into his gravel drive onto the paved street and the apron helps hold the gravel in place and keep it from washing into the street. On page 8 he would like to keep the paragraph which reads “Single family and two family residential properties not part …A four inch (4”) layer of crushed stone shall be required for driveways and parking areas.”
Jeff York explained comparing
Ellettsville’s ordinance to
Matt Burton said he sees both sides and has heard comments both for and against the parking ordinance. He understands the apron idea but when he recently checked prices on concrete he found out it costs $80 per square yard of concrete and a $50 delivery charge so it can be costly. If the four inches of gravel standard was enforced then in order for it to stay in place the ground would need to be dug out which means either more expense for a backhoe or a strong person who can do the labor. He feels a thin layer of gravel that is maintained, meaning if it starts looking sparse or overgrown to add more gravel, would be the best choice to put in place for the Town Code. He suggested for a flat drive putting down black plastic under the gravel to help keep the weeds down, which is what he did and it has worked fine so far. He works for a gas company and suggested if the public does dig out driveways to comply or anywhere then they need to call for free line locates for safety reasons.
Don Fisher said everyone should behave responsibly and respectfully. Things need to be simple for the public to understand. You have to standards that are dictated by common sense or small problems will develop into bigger problems. You’re not going to make everybody happy but do what is best for the majority of the public. The ordinance should say no parking on the grass at any time, leave the ordinance like it is and send out the letters like we currently do. If a property owner can not comply after receiving the letters then they can be dealt with on a case by case basis.
Lisa Creech apologized on behalf of the
Town Council for not getting enforcement in place on these issues prior to
hiring Jeff York.
Matt Burton agreed with Mr. Fisher. He asked about abandoned vehicles and what was the code concerning this issue. He thinks this should to be addressed. He also asked if an RV was parked on a non-graveled area and was not plated is it considered an abandoned vehicle.
Lisa Creech said there is an Abandoned Vehicle
Law that gives the owner 72 hours to remove the vehicle, but if it can be moved
three feet forward or back it is not considered an abandoned vehicle.
Jeff York said they are addressing the
abandoned vehicle issue currently. They
have revised the ordinance and the second reading will be on August 23rd.
Larry Hash said driveways should be basic, gravel is fine on flat drives; he has a flat drive and doesn’t have any trouble keeping it from spreading out. He doesn’t feel an apron is necessary but would put one in if code required it. He does agree if there is a grade where the gravel might wash out then yes, an apron would be a good idea to keep the gravel contained. He supports less restriction and wants to be able to maintain what he has and not be penalized with $200 or $300 worth of expense for something he feels he doesn’t need. He suggested the standards be relaxed so people can have a chance to do what they can do.
Parking on the side and rear lawns on the grass and setbacks were discussed further.
Don Fisher commented that if parking is allowed on grass then the problem is just moving from the front yards to the back and side yards.
Matt Burton said he would like to see a zero setback requirement from the property line.
Lisa Creech gave her interpretation of the consensus of the discussion summing up that they want to reinstate the driveway permit with a lower fee of $5. Failure to obtain this would be a fine of $25.00 she thinks only for new parking areas. A point of contention it seems is parking on the side and rear lawns not on an improved surface which should be looked at further as well as egress and ingress. Driveway standards should be discussed with experts to determine how the public can come into compliance standards affordably.
Frank Buczolich closed the discussion by suggesting they take all of the information; the original document, the document as amended and all of the comments and suggestion from tonight’s meeting and adjust the ordinance to reflect everything the Plan Commission and the public want for a workable document. He would like to have the revised document available for the next Plan Commission meeting so it can be reviewed and passed along to the Town Council. He said no vote would be taken tonight; the topic would be continued to the next meeting and asked for a motion.
Terry Baker made a motion to continue this until the next meeting. Lisa Creech seconded. Motion carried.
Introduction of annexation request for
Brian Hearne at
Jeff York said this would be tabled
until the next public hearing on
Proposed
Bryan Cox has lived on
home. This is a drainage issue and hopes it can be looked at. His house sets the lowest of seven or eight homes on this dead end road. He wanted to inform the Plan Commission for future reference and would like to see this drainage issue taken care of with this new development Robinson plans. They don’t want this development to make the water run off worse either. He would like to show his property and the water drainage pattern problem to anyone who’s willing to look at it.
Mrs. Cox stated their property is right
next to this proposed church and she asked what the lighting would be for this
church. She added typically churches are
well lit, even now the steeple lights from the
Rick Coppock said he doesn’t think any
of the trees are going to be removed.
Robinson still has to bring the development plans to the Plan
Commission, what he’s presenting tonight is just for the actual property. Rick Coppock said he would be willing to look
at his property and discuss this with him.
Frank Buczolich asked for a motion to approve the preliminary and final plat. There was hesitation as to approve the preliminary and final plat but Rick Coppock explained the preliminary and final plat he’s presenting tonight only approves the subdivision of the land. The development plans will give the details including drainage, layout of the lot, buildings, parking and lighting.
Don Calvert made a motion to accept this, because they’ll never see what their going to do if we don’t. Ed Bitner seconded.
Jeff York added the preliminary and final plat does meet the subdivision regulations.
Frank Buczolich asked for a roll call vote. Don Calvert – yes, Terry Baker – yes, Frank Buczolich – yes, Ed Bitner – yes and Lisa Creech – excused herself from voting earlier in the meeting.
Adjournment
Frank Buczolich asked for a motion to adjourn. Ed Bitner made a motion to adjourn. Terry
Baker
seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately