Mnasqvg/onglagna PLANNING COMMISSION  The Planning Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Planning Commission members present: Jason Horne, Chair; Frances Coles, Secretary; C.G. Stanley,  in the Town Municipal Building Council Hall.  Town Council Representative; Cynthia Gunnoe; and Brock Malcolm  Planning Commission members absent: Lonne R. Bailey, Vice Chair; and Curtis Marshall  Town Staff present: Mary Zirkle, Director of Planning and Community Development and Cathy  Johnson, Clerk of the Commission Town Staffabsent: None CALLTOORDER:  The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM:  There was a quorum to conduct business with five members present.  REMARKS. BY CHAIRMAN & MEMBERS:  None.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Upon a motion by Ms. Coles and seconded by Mr. Malcolm, with five members voting aye the May 2,  2024, minutes were approved as presented. STAFF & COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Ms. Zirkle stated that staff received a rezoning application scheduled for a public hearing in July. She stated that prior to tonight's meeting the Chairman authorized staff to poll Commissioners about a date for the July meeting, which would fall on July 4th. A majority of the Commissioners had agreed by a phone poll on rescheduling that regular meeting to Wednesday, July 3rd. Ms. Zirkle noted the date ofthe meeting affects which local paper the public hearing notice appears in based on the meeting date. The Planning Commission discussed the next regular meeting date as a body since the office will be closed on Thursday, July 4. Mr. Malcolm suggested meeting on Tuesday, July 2 and those Commissioners  present agreed to move the meeting from Thursday, July 4th to Tuesday, July 2nd.  6/6/24 Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 of4    NEW BUSINESS:  The first item of new business, Ms. Zirkle directed attention to the memorandum dated June 6, 2024 for the Zoning Text Discussions of Homestays (Sec. 808) and Digital Signs (Sec. 816.06h.) for changes for the Commission to consider. She stated that at the Town Council meetings on May 14 and May 28, there were discussions oft two topics in the zoning ordinance that Council wanted the Commission to consider changing new Homestays" use and "Digital Signs" regulations. She stated that while considering these recommendations from Council, it may be efficient to consider staff changes too. First, at the direction oft the Chairman, the Commission reviewed and discussed the zoning text revisions  from Council focusing on Homestays" and "Digital Signs". The following were questions and concerns on Homestays":  Council expressed concerns about the principal guest age and suggested the minimum age should be 21, 23 or 25. The Planning Commission agreed and was okay with the minimum age to be 21- Mr. Horne agreed with a condition that the whole house must be rented and not individual rooms. Ms. Coles agreed and she wanted to avoid the use becoming a boarding house. Ms. Zirkle suggested that the wording be clearer and she will present clarity at the next meeting. It was later decided that the issue of renting rooms would not be a major problem and that it can be dealt The Commissioners decided that most conçerns are complaint driven and could be considered during the conditional use hearing. Ms. Gunnoe did not think the Planning Commission will be able to cover every single regulation and concerns should be considered case-by-case. Mr. Stanley does not see the need for the owner/agent to live onsite, which was the consensus of  years old.  with through the conditional use permit process and permit revocation.  other members.  The following were questions and concerns on "Digital Signs":  The Planning Commission discussed and confirmed that digital signs shall only be permitted in Ms. Zirkle directed attention to the zoning map included in the packet that shows how many parcels on roads with a speed limit of 45 mph and over that could be affected by a change to the speed limit regulation. The Commissioners agreed to reduce the minimum posted speed limit  B-2zoning.  regulation from 45 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour after final discussion.  The maximum sign area remains 20 square feet. Aflashing rate of a minimum of15 seconds applies. rejected digital signs in! B-1 and Residential districts.  The Commissioners disagreed with the Council request to consider digital signs to be permitted as a conditional use permit in B-1 and Residential districts. The Commissioners unanimously  The second item of new business, Ms. Zirkle explained the third focus of the memo is changes that staff had compiled for Planning Commission consideration. She stated that the potential changes vary from updating definitions, clarifying language, and addressing questions that have been received.  The Planning Commission discussed the list and provided the following: reinstate the Sec. 609.02e condition in the B-2 zoning district.  #1. Car Wash definition Ms. Zirkle stated that the car wash use language was inadvertently removed from B-2 and CLI in the recent amendment. The Commissioners agreed to add a definition and to  6/6/24F Planning Commission Minutes Page 2of4    #2. Variance Sec. 611.20 - Add the "title oft the appropriate official" to sign Ms. Zirkle stated that the change to section 611.20ist to insert "Zoning Administrator" as the official who can sign. #3. Definition of "Building Height" - Ms. Zirkle stated "room beam" is unclear as a term. She was trying to apply the definition to the future hotel and was looking for a better way to define it. She asked for any ideas or better definition. Mr. Horne explained from his construction experience how to determine the highest point of a structure. He stated that 50 feet is the highest point and that measurement includes the parapet, elevator shaft, and even a greenhouse on roof as an example. #4. "Dwelling" - the "dwelling" definitions are outdated from the Building Code and should be "USBC", not CABO, and "use Group R-5". Staff will update the single-family and two-family (duplex) #5. Confirm what cannot be approved as a "dwelling" Ms. Zirkle explained the "dwelling" definition refers to structures, and staff proposes clarifying a definition of what cannot be used for residential/iving purposes. She stated the need to have clarity of what is not permitted such as RVs, tents, or sheds. The proposed text provided in the memo was: Any means of lodging that does not meet the definition of "dwelling" or "residence" shall not be permitted for use in habitation, dwelling, residing, sleeping, or otherwise occupying property, etc.". The text would be vetted by legal counsel. On a separate matter, Ms. Zirkle read and explained that the "accessory dwelling unit" definition isa a #6. Plainly state that only one residence is allowed per parcel in R-1 - Ms. Zirkle explained that people often ask if they can put two houses on their property and she explains there is one house per parcel in R-1. "Granny flats" or medical flats are allowed by the State in a different way. She mentioned that the ordinance now has "Accessory Dwelling Units" which can be separate or in the house with a conditional #7. Plainly state that a zoning permit is required to establish a use - Ms. Zirkle explained that regardless of whether structures are being added the applicant is required to obtain a zoning permit to establish a use. She will check on how other localities plainly state this requirement to see how to modify Section #8. Create a definition for "Pole Sign" - Ms. Zirkle explained that the current definition is indirectly Ms. Zirkle explained how "Limited Keeping of Chickens" was permitted in the R-2 zoning district with the R-1 Agriculture use, but Agriculture is not in the recent amendment for R-2. She stated that agricultural uses are allowed in R-1, but limited keeping of chickens has separate conditions. She told the Commissioners that staff received an application and decided to issue the permit using the 10,000 square foot standard under the Chicken section. She brought that to the Commissioners attention and asked if it prefers a different way to regulate chickens in R-2. Commissioners were good with the The third item of new business, Ms. Zirkle gave an update on the Comprehensive Plan process. She announced that EPR, P.C. was awarded the bid and will begin working with the Commission after the  definitions to have the correct building code reference.  statewide change.  use permit.  1002.01.  defined through the "Sign, monument" definition.  process used.  contract kick-offm meeting on June 17. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  None.  ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 pm. The next regular scheduled meeting was moved to Tuesday, July 2, 2024 because the office is closed on the Thursday,July 41 holiday.  6/6/24 Planning Commission! Minutes Page 30 of4    Respectfully submitted, Cathy Johnson, Clerk oft the Commission Approved on July 2, 2024.  Kine A Celes Frances B. Coles, Secretary  6/6/24F Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of4