ZALU Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2015

Minutes for March 11, 2015 meeting of Old Louisville Zoning and Land Use Committee [ZALU].
(Approved on 4.16.15 by a vote of ZALU committee members.)

Regular public meetings are held on second Wednesday of each month.

Location: Historic Old Louisville Information Center, Central Park.

Attending ZALU Committee members: Chuck Anderson, ZALU chair; Leah Stewart, Bob Bajandas,            

                             Christopher White, Lira Johnson, Stephen Peterson, Mary Martin.

Absent: Joe Impellizzeri, Erinn Lee.              Guests: None            Other attendees: None

Quorum: Yes

Called to order at 7:00 p.m.

I   [7:02p] February 2015 minutes submitted for review. MSV.  Approved unaninmously without changes.  

II. Old Business

A.    Edison Center project: Bajandas reports on the letter he drafted and sent to the developer.

[7:03 p.m.] The letter in support of the Edison Center project was changed from its original first draft. The revision drops language pertaining to hazardous materials because, given that the Center is committed as office space for the next 15 years and there were so many uses allowed in EZ1 zoning that were as or more objectionable than hazardous materials, and more likely to happen (for example: plasma centers and shooting ranges,) it did not make sense to focus on hazardous materials.    

[7:04 p.m.] Bajandas contacted the developer and raised the issue of an unsightly and unfriendly looking chain link fence appearing in the latest edition of the site plan but which had not appeared on the previous edition of the plan. The developer responded that the fence is a requirement of  the restrictions on the site by the current deed; Bajandas confirmed that the deed so expressed this condition “in order to prevent unathorized access to the property”. Stewart pointed out that if the developer wants to, a deed restriction can be lifted by the BOZA.

Question: Is fencing a zoning issue? Answer: yes, it is first a zoning issue before it is a PIC issue. The developer is pleased with the ZALU letter of support and its two expressed points. No further action needed at this time.

B. [7:11 p.m.] Letter to attorney Steve Porter. Subject: OLNC participation as a party in a lawsuit against Metro Planning Commission. See ZALU motion of 1/14/15. Anderson reports. Letter sent. At this time, no reply yet received from Porter. No action until Porter responds.

      C.   [7:12:40 p.m.] Outstanding property or zoning cases

     

1.     1379 S. Brook: Johnson updates on current conditions. Recent eviction of resident. Contractor on site said building to be gutted prior to development. Three meters seen by Johnson. Nothing going on. Will monitor. 

2.     Question: dumpsters and permits. Dumpsters on or crossing the public right of way require a Metro permit.

3.     522 W. St. Catherine: Peterson reports. Status: single family. Recently foreclosed. Under contract for sale. Appears abandoned and vandalized. Four meters on structure. Monitor and watch for permits being issued.

D. [7:23:40 p.m.] White asks about the current regulations on flashing or moving image signs in the TNZD? Anderson reports: review of signage in the TNZD is going to be a part of a resolution being put together by Metro Council for the Planning Commission. The OLNC had voted in 2014 to eliminate the signage regulations of the LDC Appendix 2b section 2.9 and that “Signage within the Traditional Neighborhood Zoning District shall comply with Landmark Design Guidelines and the Traditional Neighborhood Form District.  Where there is a conflict, the latest version of Landmark Design Guidelines shall govern.”[OLNC document “Signage Request” 3.20.2014. (Author?)]. Discussion continued on the particular issue of flashing signs hung on the inside of windows. Many contradictory understandings and opinions expressed by ZALU on definition of signs. No agreement reached. Anderson will send ZALU members the OLNC request for changes to signage regs.

      E.[7:30:10 p.m.] Informational letter to Realtors of new listings. Anderson reports. Martin objects to the idea of sending the letter selectively to realtors and asserts that documentation needs to be assembled and kept at the OLIC that shows that all of the realtors have been notified, that the letter has been sent to all, and the letter goes via email with a copy of the listing which will describe the status of the property as single or multi etc. If there is a question or a dispute about whether a property is listed correctly then further action by ZALU may be initiated. The OLIC administrator (David Williams) will need a TNZD map with neighborhood components and street addresses. It is likely that at least three letters will be needed to match the multiple use groups in the neighborhood. Must get the appropriate number of letters done immediately. Anderson will get/print the so-described TNZD map.

III    Adjourned at 7:55:25 p.m.                                                                  Minutes recorded by CTWhite