HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 3/1/2012 (3) MINUTES
CITY OF GLENDALE PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP
COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUILDING
CONFERENCE ROOM B-2
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85301
THURSDAY, MARCH 1,2012
5:30pm
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:55pm.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Kolodziej (Yucca), Commissioner Penilla (Barrel),
Commissioner Shaffer (Cactus), Commissioner Petrone (Cholla), Commissioner Larson (Mayoral),
Commissioner Williams (Ocotillo), and Commissioner Sherwood (Sahuaro)
City Staff Present: Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, Jon M. Froke, AICP, Planning Director,
Horatio Skeete, Assistant City Manager, Deborah Robberson, Deputy City Attorney, Thomas Ritz,
AICP, Senior Planner, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary
Others Present: Ron Rovey, Rovey Farms, Cecilia Chan, Arizona Republic, and Justin Lalley, CBS
Outdoor.
Chairperson Kolodziej introduced new Planning Commissioner David Penilla and welcomed him to the
Planning Commission.
ITEM
ZTA11-01: A request by the City of Glendale to amend the Zoning Ordinance to provide for a
new definition and a new section to enact zoning regulations to regulate Digital Billboards
(DBB) along the Loop 101 in the Sports and Entertainment District and prohibit billboards in the
Heavy Commercial (C-3) zoning district. Staff contact: Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner
(City-Wide).
Mr. Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, presented this item to the Commission. He asked the
Commission to review the request in preparation for a public hearing to be held on March 1,
2012. He said no action is required at this workshop.
Mr. Ritz explained the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment was initiated by the Planning
Commission at its October 6, 2011 workshop. The Planning Commission voted to initiate
ZTA11-01 at that meeting.
He said this request will amend the Zoning Ordinance and the amendment will remove the right
to erect billboards in the Heavy Commercial (C-3) zoning district and will establish a set of
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development standards to regulate Digital Billboards along the Loop 101 in the Sports and
Entertainment District.
Mr. Ritz made a brief presentation and reviewed the timeline of this item. He explained on
November 17, 2011, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that digital billboards are sources of
intermittent light and violated state law concerning Highway Beautification along freeways.
Therefore; the Planning Department had to suspend work on ZTA11-01. At the beginning of this
year, 2012, the City of Glendale resumes work on ZTA11-01 to permit digital billboards along
the Loop 101 freeway.
Mr. Ritz displayed a map indicating the area where the billboards would be permitted and where
they would not be permitted.
Commissioner Sherwood asked if staff would be considering any other areas in the city where
billboards could be located. Mr. Ritz said no, at this time these are the areas being
recommended.
Commissioner Sherwood asked where approved PADs are located. Mr. Ritz said many of the
PAD zoned properties are located at the Sports and Entertainment District. There are other
PADs located throughout the city, but are not currently being considered in this proposal.
Commissioner Larson asked if any PAD zoned properties have billboards erected. Mr. Ritz said
yes, the Park and Ride Lot, as well as two zoning cases which went before the Commission in
2009.
Commissioner Sherwood stated he was disappointed that other areas of the city were not being
considered in this proposal. He felt digital billboards are more attractive than static billboards,
which appear tattered after a few months.
Mr. Ritz explained the process which allows any property owner to apply for digital billboard
installation. The opportunity is still available for owners to request an amendment.
Commissioner Shaffer said staff has limited billboards to a particular Township and Range. He
asked why billboards couldn't be limited to particular sections that are impacted on the drawing
displayed. Mr. Ritz said that would not be a problem.
Commissioner Shaffer said he wishes to see the area limited. He does not care for billboards and
he does not wish to see them erected throughout the city.
Commissioner Larson asked why a particular amount of development was required prior to
billboard installation. Mr. Ritz explained this requirement of the first phase is to encourage
development and investment. The city's goals would not be fulfilled if billboards were allowed
without further development.
Commissioner Larson verified if there is a 1,320 foot separation for billboards located on the
same PAD, however, if located on separate PAD zoned properties the separation is only 660 feet.
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This would mean signs could potentially be only 660 away from each other. Mr. Ritz said that is
correct.
Commissioner Petrone confirmed this issue can be revisited later but cannot be expanded
without going through the process. Mr. Ritz said that is correct.
Commissioner Williams asked how many signs could be erected from Northern Avenue to
Camelback Road. Mr. Ritz said there could be a potential of 19 signs total.
Commissioner Williams asked if this item is recommended for approval, could the Commission
request a billboard be removed. Mr. Ritz said based on what is proposed, there is a ratio of
existing billboards either static or digital that would need to be removed.
Commissioner Williams said if the Planning Commission approves this and in the future
billboards are determined to be a distraction, is there liability involved. Ms. Robberson stated
the city is not the owner or builder. She said it would have to be proven the city is negligent in
some way to be held liable.
Commissioner Sherwood asked if there were any such cases thus far nationally where a billboard
was a contributing factor to an accident. Ms. Robberson said she cannot recall any such case.
She said studies show there are no safety concerns, and she felt liability issues are pretty rare and
difficult to prove.
Chairperson Kolodziej stated his concern was there may be development opportunities missed
since billboards are no currently permitted along the Loop 303.
Commissioner Petrone verified anyone wishing to apply for billboards along the Loop 303
would have the right. Mr. Ritz stated this is correct.
Commissioner Sherwood stated it was expressed that digital billboards were a distraction in the
evenings, but not much comment was heard about the billboards being a distraction during the
day. He is also aware of the light pollution concern comments he has heard previously at other
meetings regarding this issue. Commissioner Sherwood would like to see the area expanded. He
is comfortable getting this item approved and is prepared for applicants to apply for digital
billboard installation at various locations in the future.
OTHER BUSINESS
Chairperson Kolodziej called for Other Business. There was none.
Commissioner Sherwood thanked Chairperson Kolodziej for his service to the Commission as his term
has expired. He wanted to wish him well.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:31pm.
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Respectfully submitted,
Diana Figueroa, Reco aeg Secretary