Council of the Village of Yellow Springs

In Council Chambers February 11, 2008

CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson John Struewing called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

ROLL CALL
John Struewing, Bill Bebko, Tim Tobey , Matt Reed and Lori Askeland were present as was the Village Manager Eric Swansen. Assistant Planner Ed Amrhein was absent.

REVIEW OF AGENDA
During this discussion, the Commission agreed that even though the revised plan was not delivered two weeks in advance of this meeting there still could be a review of the amended plan but not necessarily any decisions. Swansen explained that the redesign was based on comments from the last public hearing. There were no changes to the agenda.

REVIEW OF MINUTES-January 14, 2008. Bebko MOVED and Askeland SECONDED a MOTION to approve the minutes as submitted. The MOTION PASSED.

REPORTS

Council Update. Askeland reported that Council did not pass the legislation authorizing the Village to participate in the AMPGS coal project. Council had begun refining their goals list, discussing the 2008 budget and earmarks for the $250,000 one-time monies received from the Estate Tax. There would be a special meeting on February 16 th to discussion the 2008 budget "enterprise funds".

In responding from a question from Struewing regarding the Comprehensive Plan, Askeland explained that Council would receive the plan at their February 19 th meeting, but would not begin discussions on the plan until later. Swansen suggested that the discussions would begin sometime in April. Planning Commission would be invited to a joint meeting and/or discussion of the Plan.

Bike Enhancement-Northern Gateway Committee. Tobey reported that the Committee had distributed their outline regarding "Cyclist and Pedestrian Friendly Community to Planning for future discussion.

Zoning Administrator/Planner's Report. Swansen explained that Ed Amrhein would be out for another few weeks. He is recovering from surgery. Swansen reported that one permit had been issued today for a house in Birch Three. He anticipates another one tomorrow and a few more over the next few weeks.

Miami Township Zoning Commission Report. Struewing reported that the Commission was making headway on the legislation for the Township's Comprehensive Plan. Struewing extended an invitation to Tobey, inviting the Bike Committee to join in the Zoning Commission's discussion regarding State Route 343.

COMMUNICATIONS
Letter signed by Barr Property Neighbors
Letter from Sam Bachtell re: Barr Property
Letter from John and Sigalia Cannon re: Barr Property
Letter from Lauren Miller re: Barr Property
Documents from Ted Donnell re: The Regenesis Group

CITIZEN'S COMMENTS
There were no comments from the audience.

PUBLIC HEARINGS
There was no public hearing scheduled for this meeting.

OLD BUSINESS
Discussion - Next Steps on the Preliminary Plan for PUD-321 Xenia Avenue . Matt Sauer representing Mary Rogero Architect reviewed the various items that had been brought up at the previous public hearing. (See memo) Highlights of the items included:

Storm Drainage -should be resolved on site.

Parking Spaces - 30 spaces with an additional availability of 20.

Bike Parking - provided on the exterior of building.

Senior Housing as Continued Use -Federal regulations will insure "senior" housing.

Future Mixed Use - if not a senior center then an entity that would be of service to seniors.

Saving Existing Home - financial hardship.

Density -increase density to provide for a larger number of seniors into the core of the Village.

Exterior Materials -would be fiber cement board.

Sidewalk Width -replace Limestone Street sidewalk with new 4' wide sidewalk.

Accessibility for Emergency Services- site is accessible for both fire and emergency vehicles.

Planting Buffer -formal planting plan is being developed.

Exterior Lighting -is being designed to incorporate "dark sky" principles.

Tax Benefit Analysis -to be performed by the Village.

Askeland would like to see more than eight biking spaces. Eastman explained that the area could accommodate more bikes.

Sharon Moeller questioned the sanitary sewer and explained that she would be unable to put in money towards sanitary sewer upgrades. Eastman explained that there were several steps that would have to be taken prior to a decision determining upgrades and that the process is not far enough along yet.

Anne Bohlen asked that the density be lowered. Eastman explained that there would have to be thirty units in order for the project to financially viable. Bohlen then asked that the architect consider the ascetics and that this was a Victorian neighborhood and the gateway to the central business district.

Bebko noted that the building had been moved back an additional 6' from Xenia Avenue . He added that the density of having 30 units was okay but the building mass is still in question.

Reed asked if the senior center was off of the table and if it is then what were the future plans of that area of the project.

Tobey noted that there are three-story buildings within the central business district. He suggested turning the building to have more frontages on Xenia Avenue .

John Eastman explained that the senior center could have two apartments on the second story or there could be two additional apartments added to the main structure.

Bebko expressed his belief that the senior center could use more office space. He added that having a higher density was okay but the building looks so massive. He also was not in favor of a flat roof. Bebko noted that he would be attending a "green roof" workshop next month.

Paul Webb explained that the roof was not going to be flat and that there would be a slight pitch to the roof.

Struewing suggested separating the large mass building into two smaller buildings and a redesign that would add more units. He further suggested that he would like to get away from the bulk and mass. He would like to see this project have more blend and flow with the existing neighborhood. He also suggested that a change in the outside color and shape and size of the windows.

Askeland suggested and Planning Commission agreed that the senior center should make a commitment of yes or no to the new center proposed for this project.

Esther Battle agreed with Askeland and asked what FCC would do if the senior center is not built on that location.

Planning Commission would like a report on the final disposition of the Barr House. Carl Champney reported that someone had inquired about moving the house. The Commission agreed that moving the house would be better than tearing it down. Reed added that the Barr House has more historical significance to our heritage if it would remain on its original site. Struewing supported the house remaining on the site.

Planning Commission agreed to the following:

*A final report on the disposition of the Barr House.
*Density was okay.
*Consider a redesign into smaller mass.
*Commitment to/or not to build a new senior center.
*If no new senior center then what?

NEW BUSINESS

Meeting Schedule. Swansen suggested and the Commission agreed to postpone the March 10th meeting until March 24th . Swansen would be on vacation and Amrhein would still be out of the office.

March 25, 2008 would be a Green Roof Workshop. Check with Bebko if anyone is interested in attending.

AGENDA PLANNING
Review printed draft of Comprehensive Plan
Bike Committee-Bullet List
2008 Planning Commission Goals

ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business, Bebko MOVED and Askeland SECONDED a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION PASED at 9:13 p.m.