Patty Hayes, Zoning Plans Examiner, presented the following:
- Proposal
- Window Signs
- Illuminated Window Sign
- Multiple Window Signs
- Balloons
- Balloon Height
- General Plan
- Conclusion
Chairman Rodman opened the public hearing.
Don Bristow, Oro Valley Resident, stated that Oro Valley businesses have failed to comply with the town code on illuminated window signs without consistent enforcement. Since 2010 the Town has made 30 changes to the sign code. It has been said that each of these changes meet the general plan goals and policies. The Planning Commission should not recommend approval of this request. There is no evidence that businesses are in support of this code change and there is no factional evidence that illuminated window signs improve advertising effectiveness. Illuminated window signs do not meet the two criteria for signs in Oro Valley: identification or direction.
Mr Bristow stated it has been decided that not allowing balloons is a serious short coming in the Oro Valley sign code. There has been no data collected that supports allowing balloons. The proposed usage does not comply with the general plan policies.
Bill Adler, Oro Valley resident, commented that signs are regulated out of public interest not private interest. Staff mentioned one policy but overlooked the second, signage is intended for identification not advertising. Oro Valley has accommodated businesses and where does it stop? There is no evidence that these signs generate business. The general plan and the sign code should be relied upon.
Dave Perry Oro Valley resident and President of the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber stands in support of the zoning code amendment. It is believed that additional lighted signs within 6 square foot of a storefront window will allow Oro Valley businesses to more effectively advertise their goods and services. This allowance would further help Oro Valley businesses be successful. Most retailers' signs are visible within the shopping center, an additional lighted sign in a business store front would not impact Oro Valley residents aesthetically.
It is innocent to fly balloons at your grand opening and businesses should be permitted to celebrate 4 or 5 days as recommended. Adoption of these two zoning code amendments would be one more indication that Oro Valley is truly open for business.
Chairman Rodman closed the public hearing.
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner
Drazazgowski
and seconded by Commissioner
Hitt
to Recomend Approval of the Zoning Code Amendment to Section 28.5.B to allow illuminated signs in the window sign display area as provided in Attachment 1.
MOTION carried, 6-1 with Commissioner Barrett opposed.
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair
Leedy
and seconded by Commissioner
Hurt
to Recomend Approval of the Zoning Code Amendment to Section 28.6.B allowing balloons for grand opening events or change in ownership as provided in Attachment 1.
MOTION carried, 6-1 with Commissioner Barrett opposed.
Chad Daines, Principal Planner, presented the following:
- Planning Work Plan FY 15/16 - 16/17
- Why a Work Plan?
- Development Review Team Tasks
- Status of General Plan Implementation (SIP)
- Planning Work Plan FY 13-14 Report Card
- Your Voice/Our Future (General Plan Update)
- The District
- The District: Retro-fit
- Form-based Code
- Complete Streets
- Arroyo Grande/Tangerine 550
- Historic overlay/Open Space/Rezone Parks
- Zoning Code Amendments
- Discussion
Bill Adler, Oro Valley resident, stated that the work plan did not get to the items that were priority. Part of the problem is that we rely on the general plan for this work plan, which is a mistake. Most policies in the general plan can not be implemented, the policies are not worded specific enough so they lend themselves to be translated into an ordinance. Form based code is an alternative to conventional zoning, which focuses on uses. Mr. Adler is against the rezoning of parks to open space, which would conflict with sports tourism.
Dave Perry, Oro Valley resident, stated that the Chamber started off with the concept of trying to create downtown Oro Valley and have abandoned that idea, because there is no practical way to do that. You can have an art and culture district and redevelop some existing infrastructure and buildings to accomplish the same goal. From his prospective, Arroyo Grande and Tangerine 550 are something that local government should look at. Mr. Perry went on to comment that Oro Valley is running out of undeveloped property.
Staff facilitated an exercise with the Commission which accomplished the following:
- Identified additional work plan items suggested by individual Commissioners
- Reduced the complete list down to a final list based on Commission consensus
- Prioritized the final list into high, medium and low priorities
MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair
Leedy
and seconded by Commissioner
Hitt
The Commission recommended approval of the following work plan items:
High Priority
- General Plan
- Arroy Grande - Tangerine 550
- The District
Medium Priority
- Parking
- Permitted Use Table
- Conditional Use Permits
- Senior Care
Low Priority
- Minor Plat Amendment
- Setback Projections
- Wireless Facilities
- Minor Setback Reductions
The remainder of the work plan items were not recommended.
MOTION carried, 7-0.
The phone call with Commissioner Pitts ended at 8:44 PM.
Roseanne Flores, recording secretary, presented the following:
- Going green
- Saves money
- Saves staff time
- Saves mailing cost
- Saves paper cost
- It's what Council is doing
- User friendly
All Commissioners chose to go paperless.
Commissioner Leedy gave a brief overview of the Your Voice, Our Future update:
- Making great progress and extraordinary work
- Scheduled to meet for the last development committee tomorrow night
- The process in intergrading all three of the major committees
- Staff goes away for two months and puts together a document
- The committees will review the final draft this summer
MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner
Drazazgowski
and seconded by Commissioner
Barrett
to adjourn the April 7, 2015 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 8:53 PM.