DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP

ZONING COMMISSION

 

March 12, 2007

MINUTES

 

CALL TO ORDER 7:00               John Richardson, Chairperson

 

ROLL CALL:                             Don de Reynier, Matt Evans, Scott Evans, Robert Giesse, and John Richardson, were present. Also present was township legal advisor, Dan Hendy.

 

Township Attorney, Daniel Hendy administered the oath to those giving testimony.

 

CASE #2007-068                       Site Plan Review prior to Stage 2, bd’s Mongolian Grill, Mason-Montgomery Road and Bowen Drive

 

Staff Report                             Hayfaa Wadih explained the location of the proposed bd’s Mongolian Grill at northeast corner of Mason-Montgomery Road and Bowen Drive.  They proposed a 5,894 square feet restaurant building.  The plan showed a sidewalk surrounding the building and an outside patio at the southwest corner of the building.  She described the plan including 115 parking spaces, 3 handicapped, a 10” x 25” loading area and dumpster pad screened by an 8 feet high masonry wall with a swing gate.  She described the landscape plan, lighting plan, and signage.  The façade shows the use of mixed materials including simulated stone base river rock and Minnesota blend and black anodized aluminum storefront system with insulated glass.  There are stone pillars with Cedar framing and fascia with black metal roof panels simulating a black clay tile roof.

 

Warren County Soil and Water Conservation approved the plan with one suggestion.  Deerfield Township Fire Rescue reviewed and approved the plan.

 

The current submittal for the restaurant is allowed with the previously approved site plan.  Hayfaa Wadih said Staff suggested adding two more shade trees and additional Sea Green Juniper to achieve the landscape requirement.  Staff also recommended the lighting be down directional with no lenses protruding below the housing.  Regarding signage the Staff recommended applying the Stage 2 condition that permits two signs per one outlot and that the two signs may not be visible from any single point.  Staff suggested a sign on the north elevation and south elevation but Staff would be agreeable if applicant wishes to place the signs on the east and west elevations instead.  In the event of approval the staff recommended 14 conditions.  She asked for questions.

 

Board Questions                      John Richardson asked about the no parking between the outlot restaurant buildings and Mason-Montgomery Road and Bowen Drive.  Hayfaa explained showing photos of Building 8 and National City Bank.  John Richardson asked if the green buffer area is 50 feet.  Lois McKnight said there should be no parking between the buildings and Mason-Montgomery Road according to Stage 2 Conditions.  “Prior to Stage 3, Final Detailed Plan approval by Deerfield Township Trustees, all outlots shall be subject to Site Plan Review by the Zoning Commission.  Condition #23 “Subject to modified at Stage 3, there shall be no parking between the outlot restaurant buildings and the Mason-Montgomery Road and Bowen Drive.”  John Richardson said that if this board decided to change that at Stage 3, they would be allowed.  Matt Evans asked the minimum required number of parking spaces.   The requirement is one space for each 100 square foot of floor area so that would be 60 spaces for that building.  Matt Evans said they have more twice the number required.  Hayfaa Wadih said our policy has been to allow more parking to avoid parking on the grassy area.

 

Don de Reynier was concerned about the Condition #11 regarding signage and that the word “cumulative” was missing.  He said that the condition said in the Building 8 that “the maximum cumulative wall sign area for each outlot shall not exceed 150 square feet.”  Hayfaa Wadih said they would add cumulative.  Dan Hendy said the condition could be worded so the board could accomplish what is needed.  Matt Evans asked the maximum height for the lights.  Hayfaa Wadih said 24 feet.

 

Proponent                                Erin Fisher, 4716 Keeneland Run, Batavia 45103, represented bd’s Mongolian Grill.  She said her husband and her moved here to open five of the restaurants in this area including Northern Kentucky.  She said the concept is that you pick out fresh meat and vegetables and you take it to a cook to grill it for you.  It is then cooked and delivered to your table.  It is family friendly and the food is healthy.  She said bd likes to get involved in the community.  It is owned by Billy Downs. 

 

Katie Bollmer, CDS Associates, 11120 Kenwood Road, 45242, representing the site engineer, she said they are requesting Site Plan Approval for a 5,900 square feet building which is 2,000 square feet smaller than what was originally approved in Stage 2.  She said the parking has decreased also.  She said they are agreeable to all of the conditions except Condition #11 regarding signage.  They are concerned that the lack of signage may be detrimental to them in the very competitive Mason-Montgomery Road area.  She said bd’s is also requesting a 1 foot by 3 feet directional sign.  She asked for flexibility for the signage allowed and the parking.  She pointed out other signs on other buildings in that area. 

 

Katie Bollmer said the proposed landscaping would be exactly the same as Building # 8.

 

She said bd’s feel they would need the number of parking spaces.  She said the parking ratio request is greater than the requirement, at 18 spaces per 1000 square feet per building area.  She said they need the additional parking spaces.  John Richardson asked for the total number of seats in the restaurant area.  She didn’t have that information.  John Richardson said an over abundance of parking is not always good.  She distributed some drawings.  She asked the board for questions.

 

Matt Evans said he had concerns about the number of parking spaces.  Katie Bollmer said she didn’t have the data on the number of spaces they utilized in a day.  There are 242 parking spaces.  John Richardson asked if there are any shared parking agreements with any of the surrounding office buildings located near the site.  Katie Bollmer said was not aware of any agreements.  John Richardson asked about the square footage of the two wall signs.  She said the two wall signs are 58 square feet each.  John Richardson closed the public comment portion of the meeting.

 

Board Discussion                     Matt Evans said he is opposed to this number of parking spaces.  He said he prefers the parking out front.  He said he doesn’t like the amount of pavement on the parking lot and silt run off caused by it.  He said he had no objections to the signage.  John Richardson said he would like to limit the signage to 120 square feet total cumulative.  Don de Reynier asked if bd’s have existing restaurants.  He was told yes and

this one would be similar to the others.  Matt Evans said he thought the turn over would be relatively quick. 

 

Don de Reynier said Condition #4 should make sure that storm water management for the site meets the required Rules and Regulations.   John Richardson asked about buffer yard percentages.  John Richardson said a condition should be added that the buffer yard (open space) shall exceed 20%. 

 

Motion                                     Motion by John Richardson to approve Case 2007-068 including the 14 Conditions as suggested by staff, modifying condition #11 and including a new Condition #15 and #16 . Second by Don de Reynier.

Roll Call: Matt Evans-Yes, Scott Evans-Yes, Robert Giesse-Yes, John Richardson-Yes, Don de Reynier-Yes. The motion was approved.

 

  1. Adherence with all Warren County and Deerfield Township Resolutions applicable to Russell Bowen PUD, as determined by the Deerfield Township Trustees.

 

  1. Prior to final site plan approval, site access and interior circulation by the Warren County Engineer, in conjunction with the Deerfield Township Fire Department is required.

 

  1. Improvements shall comply with the Requirements and Standards for the Design and Construction of Streets and Roadway Facilities, as determined by the Warren County Engineer.

 

  1. Prior to issuance of the zoning permit, approval of Storm water drainage by the Warren County Engineer, per the Rules and Regulations for the Design of Storm Sewer and Storm Water Management Systems.

 

  1. Compliance with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permit for storm water discharges associated with construction.

 

  1. Compliance with the Warren County Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations, as determined by the Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District.

 

  1. Erosion control shall consist of perimeter controls and timely seedings. Statements to this effect are to be placed on construction drawings.

 

  1. Prior to Certificate of Occupancy, the developer shall expand and/or upgrade the water system, water treatment and storage facilities, sanitary sewers and wastewater treatment facilities necessary to serve the development, as determined by the Warren County Sanitary Engineer.

 

  1. Prior to final site plan approval, pedestrian circulation shall be approved by the Deerfield Township Trustees.

 

  1. Prior to issuance of the zoning permit, applicant shall secure and submit a letter of approval from Deerfield Township Fire Rescue.

 

  1. Prior to acquiring Zoning Permit for sign, detailed wall mounted sign drawing is required. No ground signs are permitted for the building.  Two wall mounted signs shall be allowed. The size of the wall signs shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of tenant wall face, with a maximum length of 70% of the wall length, a maximum height of 42 inches and a maximum cumulative area of 120 square feet. The permitted signs may be placed on any two walls.

 

  1. Prior to issuance of the zoning permit, the landscape plan shall be modified to include a total of nine shade trees along Mason Montgomery Road with shrubs planted at three feet on center in a curvilinear pattern. 

 

  1. Any building mounted lighting fixtures shall be down directional with no lenses protruding below the housing except for approved ornamental fixtures.

 

  1. All roof-top mechanicals and light wells shall be screened from public view by parapet walls and from the right of way.

 

  1. Prior to the issuance of Zoning Permit, a letter of approval from Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District shall be provided.

 

  1. Open space area shall exceed 20% of the lot area, per PUD standard.

 

 

Old Business                            Discussion of Zoning Resolution Text Amendment

Lois McKnight said back in January there was a problem with recreational vehicles being parked in residential neighborhoods.  She said it is covered in the code in two sections so we tried to merge the two into one and clarify it.  Lois McKnight explained her process of changing it. 

 

John Richardson asked if the changes would make the code easier to enforce.  Lois McKnight said Ron Caldwell, Code Enforcement Officer reviewed it and it seemed better.  Don de Reynier asked how it compared with Warren County’s code.  Lois McKnight said she has not seen it.  Scott Evans mentioned school buses which could be used for recreational vehicles and Matt Evans mentioned the POD storage units.

 

Matt Evans said the code should make it clear where the recreational vehicle not be stored and that it should be screened from abutting property owners.  He discussed some of the terminology.  John Richardson asked about fences to screen being 8 feet high.  Lois McKnight said this department doesn’t regulate fences.  John Richardson said the important thing is to make the wording “enforceable” for the Code Enforcement Officer. 

 

Dan Hendy said they can make the wording work but the board can agree with the general intent.  Matt Evans said could they put in the code that the recreational vehicle be parked on a paved surface.  John Richardson asked if they must vote on this or are they to review it only.  Scott Evans said the board should act on this tonight.  Lois McKnight said this board must make a motion to approve or deny the change.

 

Dan Hendy said the language about neighboring yards needs to be cleaned up.  He made suggestions.  There was more discussion.  Lois McKnight said after this board reviewed the change, it would go to Warren County Regional Planning for review.  After that it would again come back to this board for final review.

 

Motion                                     Motion by John Richardson to initiate an amendment to Sections 20.01, 25.01 and creating Section 3.851 and 20.031 as follows. Second by Matt Evans.

Voice Vote: All ayes. The motion was approved

 

 

 

 

 

20.01 General Requirements

 

Any building, structure or use of land, when erected or enlarged, shall provide for off-street parking spaces for automobiles in accordance with the following provisions of this Chapter. A parking plan shall be required for all uses except single family detached dwellings and two family dwellings. The parking plan shall be submitted to the Township as part of the application for the zoning certificate. The plan shall show the boundaries of the property, parking spaces, access driveways, circulation patterns, drainage and construction plans, boundary walls, fences and a screening plan, as appropriate.

 

Whenever a building or use constructed or established after the effective date of this Resolution is changed or enlarged in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity or otherwise to create a need for an increase of ten (10) percent or more in the number of existing parking spaces, such spaces shall be provided on the basis of the enlargement or change. Whenever a building or use existing prior to the effective date of this Resolution is enlarged to the extent of fifty (50) percent or more in floor area or in the area used, such building or use shall then comply with the parking requirements set forth herein.

 

In any residence district, placing a trailer, as defined by this Zoning Resolution, shall be prohibited, except that one (1) utility trailer and one (1) travel trailer or similar recreational vehicle and one (1) boat on a trailer may be parked or stored in a garage or other accessory building or rear yard, provided that no occupancy for human habitation is maintained, or business conducted therein, while such trailer is so parked.

 

20.031 Parking of Recreational Vehicles, Boats and Trailers in Residential Districts

 

The parking of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers in residential districts shall be subject to the following regulations:

 

A.         If the recreational vehicle, boat, or trailer is parked or stored outside of a garage, it shall not be located within the front yard and shall be parked or stored no closer to the street than the rear foundation line of the house and shall be completely screened from view of neighboring yards and the public right-of-way by a solid fence, wall, or existing vegetative screen, not to exceed eight (8) feet in height.

 

1.         Recreational vehicles and boats may be parked anywhere on the premises for loading or unloading purposes, for a period of not more than forty-eight (48) hours.

 

2.         Parked or stored recreational vehicles and boats shall not be connected to electricity, water, gas, or sanitary sewer facilities and at no time shall this equipment be used for living or housekeeping purposes.

           

B.         Tractor trailer parking, except the temporary parking for the delivery of goods and/or services, and the outdoor storage of tractor trailers shall not be permitted in Residential districts.

 

 

25.01 Parking of Recreational Vehicles and Equipment, and Tractor Trailers in Residential

Districts

 

The parking of recreational vehicles and equipment and tractor trailers in residential districts shall be subject to the following regulations:

 

A.         Parked or stored camping and recreational equipment shall not be connected to electricity, water, gas, or sanitary sewer facilities and at no time shall this equipment be used for living or housekeeping purposes.

 

B.         If the camping or recreational equipment is parked or stored outside of a garage, it shall be parked or stored no closer to the street than the nearest foundation line of the house and shall be screened from view of neighboring yards and the public right-of-way by a solid fence or wall not to exceed eight (8) feet in height.

 

C.         Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B, camping and recreational equipment may be parked anywhere on the premises for loading or unloading purposes, for a period of not more that forty-eight (48) hours.

 

D.         Tractor trailer parking, except the temporary parking for the delivery of goods and/or services, and the outdoor storage of tractor trailers shall not be permitted in Residential districts.

 

3.851    Recreational vehicle shall mean a vehicular portable structure that is designed and constructed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation uses and is classed as follows:

 

(a)        Travel trailer means a nonself-propelled recreational vehicle that does not exceed an overall length of thirty-five feet, exclusive of bumper and tongue or coupling, and contains less than three hundred twenty square feet of space when erected on site. "Travel trailer" includes a tent-type fold-out camping trailer as defined in Ohio Revised Code Section 4517.01 of the Revised Code. 

(b)        Motor home means a self-propelled recreational vehicle that has no fifth wheel and is constructed with permanently installed facilities for cold storage, cooking and consuming of food, and for sleeping. 

(c)        Truck camper means a nonself-propelled recreational vehicle that does not have wheels for road use and is designed to be placed upon and attached to a motor vehicle. "Truck camper" does not include truck covers that consist of walls and a roof, but do not have floors and facilities enabling them to be used as a dwelling. 

(d)        Fifth wheel trailer means a vehicle that is of such size and weight as to be movable without a special highway permit, that has a gross trailer area of four hundred square feet or less, that is constructed with a raised forward section that allows a bi-level floor plan, and that is designed to be towed by a vehicle equipped with a fifth-wheel hitch ordinarily installed in the bed of a truck. 

(e)        Park trailer means a vehicle that is commonly known as a park model recreational vehicle, meets the American national standard institute standard A119.5 (1988) for park trailers, is built on a single chassis, has a gross trailer area of four hundred square feet or less when set up, is designed for seasonal or temporary living quarters, and may be connected to utilities necessary for the operation of installed features and appliances

 

 

Adjournment 8:20                    Motion by John Richardson to adjourn._   2nd by Scott Evans

Voice Vote: All Ayes. The motion was approved.

 

 

 

_____________________________________________                             _________________________________

John Richardson, Chair Person             Date                                            Marilyn Arnold, Secretary         Date

 

Draft 03.12.07 MIN.doc