Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Code Review Council Committee - Meeting Date: 9/24/2020MINUTES CITY CODE REVIEW COUNCIL COMMITTEE GLENDALE CIVIC CENTER 5750 W. GLENN DRIVE GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2020 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 5 PM. ROLL CALL Committee members present: Vice Mayor Ray Malnar, Councilmember Joyce Clark, Camille Donley, Yvonne Knaack, Ron Short, Michael Socaciu, Councilmember Bart Turner, Barbara Lentz, and Warren Wilfong are all present. Committee members absent: Committee members Rich LeVander and Mark Lily. City staff present: Lisa Collins (Interim Development Services Director), Rick St. John (Deputy City Manager, Public Safety), Shannon Beck, (Council Assistant), and Diana Figueroa, (Management Assistant), were present. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments made. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES After the correction of Barbara Lentz being noted as present, a motion to approve the August meeting minutes was made by Committee member Knaack and seconded by Councilmember Clark. All were in favor, and none opposed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS A. COMMERCIAL COMMITTEE — YVONNE KNAACK Committee member Knaack began by stating the code is currently quite strong. There are some issues with street parking of motor homes and boats. Committee member Knaack's suggestion is to not allow street parking except for loading and unloading. Vice Mayor Malnar requested a recommendation from the committee to the consultant. Ms. Collins said Mr. Adam Pruett is taking notes of the committee suggestions and recommendations and will follow up. Vice Mayor Malnar suggested sending Committee member Knaack's notes and a request for the consultant to write into the code some language that will prevent the "moving a foot" method many motor home and boat owners use. Ms. Collins noted this would not be part of the zoning ordinance rewrite. Mr. St. John acknowledged the difficulty of determining whether or not a vehicle has been moved more than two feet in a 48-hour period because there would need to be constant 1 surveillance. Committee member Knaack noted that a tow -behind versus a drivable trailer have different regulations, and a tow -behind attached to a vehicle has different regulations as well. Councilmember Turner suggested a method he recalled officers using in the past: chalk the sidewalk and the tire tread. Mr. St. John thought that was an excellent idea. Vice Mayor Malnar noted this would not be part of the code rewrite, and Ms. Collins said this would not involve the code consultant. Vice Mayor Malnar then asked how the committee would like to proceed with this. Committee member Knaack read the code from the book, and it reads "mobile home" not "motor home," which could be part of the enforcement issues. Vice Mayor Malnar asked Mr. St. John to further research on what is causing police to be unable to be enforce the current code and determine whether or not code enforcement should do enforcement of street parking. Councilmember Turner confirmed that the committee wants to look into prohibiting street parking of boats and motor homes with the exception of loading and unloading. Mr. Wilfong asked if long-term vehicle parking is included, and Vice Mayor Malnar noted the 48-hour limitation might be worth revisiting. Mr. Wilfong then asked if it would be legal for the person who files the vehicle complaint to have a camera installed on their property to record the violation, and Mr. St. John said that would be legal. B. RESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE — COUNCILMEMBER BART TURNER Councilmember Bart Turner noted this committee has begun their work, but they have not completed their work on residential landscaping. There doesn't seem to be any desert landscape regulations, but there is a maximum length for grass. There is also a suggestion for regulations of grass and weeds that grow between concrete cracks. Trees and other vegetation must be dead by 60% or more. Vice Mayor Malnar noted that removing a dead limb is also something to consider including. Committee member Knaack added there are thirty dead trees in downtown, so the city should consider taking care of those first. Mr. Wilfong noted that when people complain about dirt yards, residences throw rock down, but then it rains and weeds grow. Mr Wilfong suggested limiting landscape to grass or rock. C. PARKING COMMITTEE — WARREN WILFONG Holiday lighting recommends holiday lighting is 30 days before the holiday and removal time is 30 days after the holiday. Lights can only be attached to structures only. Holiday lights, trees, and bushes are allowed. Holiday inflatables, cut-outs, signs, tree -hanging items, shall adhere to the aforementioned 30 -day rule. Acceptable lights consist of C9 bulbs, fairy lights, projection lights, icicle lights, laser lights, and mini lights. Accent lights (landscaping, walkway, wall, fence, security, etc.) are acceptable as well. Holiday items should be functional and should not cause blight. Committee member Knaack noted potential conflict with whether or not religious expression would factor into how easy it would be to enforce all of this. Vice Mayor Malnar suggested adding birthday celebration decorations. Ms. Lentz asked about whether or not the 2 backyard is included or if it's solely the front yard that is concerning. Mr. Wilfong said this should only apply to the front yard. Vice Mayor Malnar, Mr. Wilfong, and Councilmember Turner collaborated and suggested allowing decorations to be put up decorations 60 days before and take down 30 days after. Mr. Socaciu expressed concerns with residences finding ways to keep lights up at all times. Ms. Lentz asked about HOA regulations in regard to holiday lights. Mr. Socaciu's HOA allows for 30 days prior and 30 days after. Committee member Knaack suggested "visible from the street" language be added. Ms. Collins said this would not be part of UDC, but it would be part of city code; she suggested they ask the city attorney for guidance. Vice Mayor Malnar said they would ask the city attorney about the 60 -day prior and 30 -day after possible code. D. MISCELLANEOUS COMMITTEE — RON SHORT Mr. Short said there has been research done, but there is not a report at this time. Mr. Short said he has made progress with the supervisor of the right of way for landscaping and has met with the director and their staff to discuss the requirements and municipal codes for residential areas. After researching, there's a general understanding that the property owner is responsible for the property line to the curb (save the sidewalk). Currently, Mr. Short's greatest concern is clarity of what exactly is the property owner's responsibility. Councilmember Clark asked what the consensus was in regard to trash accumulation around utility boxes. Councilmember Turner said if it's part of private property, it should be the responsibility of the property owner. Vice Mayor Malnar added that the individual is responsible to maintain weeds, shrubbery, etc. around utility boxes, but the company needs to notify residences if it's safe (if it's not, the company must take care of it). Councilmember Clark said most people are unaware of exactly where their property lines lie, and thus, where the responsibility of the land ends. Committee member Knaack agreed with Councilmember Clark and said property owners are responsible for the right of way. Vice Mayor Malnar asked if there was further discussion needed. Councilmember Clark considered the idea of "nothing ventured, nothing gained" and would at least like to reach out to utility and tell them what they're considering. Mr. St. John will look into this request. Vice Mayor Malnar 19-10 (a)(1) does not clearly, specifically state the adjacent property owner is responsible for landscaping and maintenance. This would be a city code adjustment, and Ms. Collins said added language could be provided. Mr. Short made a motion property owner is responsible of landscaping and maintenance to the sidewalk (excluding replacement or repairs of the sidewalk). Such areas will be kept free of grass, weeds, trash, debris, and dead plant material." And remove the term "sidewalk" from the exceptions of the owner maintenance. Mr. Wilfong seconded. All were in favor. Mr. Short said in section 19-10 (b) explains what the city is responsible for. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS A. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Nothing to report. B. CODE CONSULTANT 3 Noting to report. C. RICK ST. JOHN, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER Nothing to report. D. MICHAEL BAILEY, CITY ATTORNEY Not present. COMMITTEE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS AND TOPICS FOR NEXT MEETING Vice Mayor Malnar asked for topics for the next meeting. Chairperson Clark asked if the committee had discussed complaints about dogs and cats, and Vice Mayor Malnar said the committee had addressed it. Committee member Knaack suggested discussing canopies. Mr. Socaciu suggested reviewing the list of items the committee created, but one of them was abandoned buildings, such as the former Texaco on 83rd Avenue and Glendale Avenue. Vice Mayor Malnar said he could forward the list to the committee. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the City Code Review Council Committee will be held Thursday, October 22th, at 5 PM, at the Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, Arizona, 85301. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Malnar adjourned the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:19 PM. 4