City of Flushing
Minutes
A Special Meeting (Zoning Ordinance Workshop) of the Flushing City Council was called to order on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. by Mayor Janice L. Gensel, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Present: Richard L. Bade
John C. Gault
Janice L. Gensel
Chris A. Girard
Jay E. Johnson
Teresa K. Salem
Michael T. Szukhent
Absent: None
Others Present: Dennis J. Bow, City Manager
Nancy G. Parks, City Clerk/Treasurer
Doug Piggott, Rowe, Incorporated
Agenda Order Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Girard, that the meeting be limited to a 4:00 p.m. conclusion and that the Meeting Open To The Public portion of the meeting be moved to 3:45 p.m.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: Johnson
Motion Carried.
Mr. Doug Piggott, Rowe, Incorporated reviewed the fifteen (15) sections of the proposed Zoning Ordinance. The Mayor suggested that the articles be discussed that are of most concern to the Council and residents. The Mayor stated her concern with sign provisions, and Szukhent expressed a need to discuss definitions. Johnson had a concern about trying to treat all properties the same. Every time the Council is faced with a reuse of a property, especially in the Central Business District, we try to take a building that cannot conform to the new standards and force it into compliance and we end up with zoning board appeals and variances. He feels the Council needs to take into consideration the rehabilitation of old buildings for new uses and not make them conform to the standards used for a new building on a vacant lot. Mr. Piggott responded that this type of issue could be discussed in the nonconforming article and the site plan article of the ordinance.
City of Flushing
Minutes
Page Two
Article 14 Signs The only significant change from the current ordinance is the addition of a sandwich board sign section. The provisions of this section are:
Commercial, CBD Sandwich board signs.
All sandwich board signs shall conform to the following:
(1) Each message portion of a sandwich board shall not exceed 3 feet in height or 2 feet in width.
(2) The bottom shall be weighted or anchored so that the sign is stable and wind-proof.
(3) There shall be only one sign at each customer entrance, regardless of the number of tenants on the premises.
(4) Each sign shall be placed outside only during the hours when the business is open to the general public, and shall otherwise be stored inside.
(5) Each sign shall be placed next to the building wall or adjacent to the curb in a manner which is safe for and does not interfere with normal pedestrian or automobile traffic movement.
(6) Sidewalk signs shall not have more than two sign faces.
(7) All signs shall comply with the design specifications for sidewalk signs adopted by the City of Flushing.
(8) All non-conforming sandwich board signs and other portable or temporary signs shall be prohibited within the Central Business District.
(9) A permit for a sandwich board sign shall be revoked whenever, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee, the sign becomes an eyesore, a nuisance, a public safety concern, or is neglected.
(10) Permit required.
Mr. Johnson feels the sign article is inadequate in that there is not a clear distinction between a permanent and temporary sign; the restrictions on signs in windows may be unenforceable; a question regarding the number of signs permitted; and questionable sign dimensions.
City of Flushing
Minutes
Page Three
The City Manager stated that a new sign permit application is being developed, because the current application is too long and confusing to obtain a sign permit. Window signs were discussed and it was generally felt that these signs should not be regulated.
Doug Piggott noted all suggestions for changes to the proposed ordinance and will attempt to incorporate these changes into the Sign Article.
Council discussed the Definition Article in the proposed zoning ordinance. There was discussion regarding the definition of a dwelling unit. Johnson said he would feel more comfortable if kitchen were deleted from the definition of dwelling unit.
Zoning map changes and lighting issues were also discussed.
MEETING
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
The following individuals commented on the proposed zoning ordinance:
Chris Common Elva
Cook
212 Mary Street 315
Sunnyside
Adjourn Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Adjourn: 4:15 p.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Janice L. Gensel, Mayor Nancy G. Parks, City Clerk/Treasurer