July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Zoning changes proposed (03/06/2009)
Portland Planning Commission
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
A proposed change in the city's zoning ordinance would require site development plans for certain new projects to be reviewed by a committee.
The Portland Planning Commission met for the first time in more than a year Thursday, and learned of several proposed changes to the city's zoning ordinance.
The changes proposed by Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator, include redefining the term neighborhood business, changing what is allowed as a special exception and establishing a committee to review site development plans for commercial, industrial and subdivision projects.
Milligan said the biggest proposed change in the ordinance would be the requirement for committee review of development plans.
The submission would a written summary of the development; a description of the site; and plans for landscaping, signs, drainage, lighting and construction.
After submission, the plans would be reviewed by a committee made up of Milligan, and officials with the street department, water department, wastewater treatment plant, police department, fire department, health department and county drainage board.
If the plans are approved by the committee, the project will go before the planning commission. Currently, the site development plans are only reviewed by Milligan before going to the planning commission.
"This is something that I felt we had to have," Milligan told planning commission members on Thursday. Having a committee review the plans will help ensure the plans are complete for the planning commission, he said this morning.
Another change Milligan is proposing is to alter the definition of neighborhood business district. He said the old definition says the district is for small businesses that primarily serve local residents. Milligan said trends have changed and more and more businesses in the city are trying to serve more than just county residents by being located along heavily traveled streets. He suggested that the definition be changed to say that the small businesses are located in predominately residential areas along major or high traffic arteries.
In an effort to make neighborhood businesses more compatible with other nearby businesses, Milligan suggested that more permitted uses and special exceptions be added for neighborhood businesses.
Another change to the zoning ordinance that Milligan suggested is to include guidelines for the exteriors of new buildings.
Milligan said that in the past, when new structures have been built, the developers have asked him what materials they should use for the outside of their structures. He proposes adding to the ordinance a section that basically says the outside of the buildings should appear similar to others in the area.
Commission member Tom Kennedy asked how these guidelines would work with those approved this week by the Portland Historic Preservation Commission.
Milligan said that if the structure is in the historic preservation district, the guidelines established by the historic commission would take precedence.
The proposed changes to the city's zoning ordinance will be discussed at the next meeting of the planning commission in April. Milligan said a public hearing on the proposed changes could be held in May.
Also Thursday, commission members:
•Learned that Milligan would like to have an area along North Meridian Street rezoned to highway service from neighborhood business.
He suggested that on each side of Meridian Street, between Votaw and Lincoln streets, be rezoned. The rezoning would be on about a half-block on each side of Meridian Street.
Milligan said this portion of the street is mostly businesses, and there are only four houses. He said rezoning the area could make way for new developments.
•Voted to retain the same officers for 2009.
Vicki Tague will serve as president, Mike Brewster as vice president, Kent McClung as secretary, Pati McLaughlin as recording secretary, Ron Laux as the advisory member from the Jay County Planning Commission, and Bill Hinkle as the commission's attorney.[[In-content Ad]]
The Portland Planning Commission met for the first time in more than a year Thursday, and learned of several proposed changes to the city's zoning ordinance.
The changes proposed by Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator, include redefining the term neighborhood business, changing what is allowed as a special exception and establishing a committee to review site development plans for commercial, industrial and subdivision projects.
Milligan said the biggest proposed change in the ordinance would be the requirement for committee review of development plans.
The submission would a written summary of the development; a description of the site; and plans for landscaping, signs, drainage, lighting and construction.
After submission, the plans would be reviewed by a committee made up of Milligan, and officials with the street department, water department, wastewater treatment plant, police department, fire department, health department and county drainage board.
If the plans are approved by the committee, the project will go before the planning commission. Currently, the site development plans are only reviewed by Milligan before going to the planning commission.
"This is something that I felt we had to have," Milligan told planning commission members on Thursday. Having a committee review the plans will help ensure the plans are complete for the planning commission, he said this morning.
Another change Milligan is proposing is to alter the definition of neighborhood business district. He said the old definition says the district is for small businesses that primarily serve local residents. Milligan said trends have changed and more and more businesses in the city are trying to serve more than just county residents by being located along heavily traveled streets. He suggested that the definition be changed to say that the small businesses are located in predominately residential areas along major or high traffic arteries.
In an effort to make neighborhood businesses more compatible with other nearby businesses, Milligan suggested that more permitted uses and special exceptions be added for neighborhood businesses.
Another change to the zoning ordinance that Milligan suggested is to include guidelines for the exteriors of new buildings.
Milligan said that in the past, when new structures have been built, the developers have asked him what materials they should use for the outside of their structures. He proposes adding to the ordinance a section that basically says the outside of the buildings should appear similar to others in the area.
Commission member Tom Kennedy asked how these guidelines would work with those approved this week by the Portland Historic Preservation Commission.
Milligan said that if the structure is in the historic preservation district, the guidelines established by the historic commission would take precedence.
The proposed changes to the city's zoning ordinance will be discussed at the next meeting of the planning commission in April. Milligan said a public hearing on the proposed changes could be held in May.
Also Thursday, commission members:
•Learned that Milligan would like to have an area along North Meridian Street rezoned to highway service from neighborhood business.
He suggested that on each side of Meridian Street, between Votaw and Lincoln streets, be rezoned. The rezoning would be on about a half-block on each side of Meridian Street.
Milligan said this portion of the street is mostly businesses, and there are only four houses. He said rezoning the area could make way for new developments.
•Voted to retain the same officers for 2009.
Vicki Tague will serve as president, Mike Brewster as vice president, Kent McClung as secretary, Pati McLaughlin as recording secretary, Ron Laux as the advisory member from the Jay County Planning Commission, and Bill Hinkle as the commission's attorney.[[In-content Ad]]
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