HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning and Zoning Commission - 4/4/2006 MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
April 4, 2006
s TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 NORTH LA CANADA DRIVE
REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Acting Chair Pete Bistany
Commissioner Bill Adler
Commissioner Don Manross
Commissioner Teree Bergman
Commissioner Doug McKee
Commissioner Honey Pivirotto
ALSO PRESENT: K.C. Carter, Council Member
Sarah More, Planning & Zoning Administrator
Joe Andrews, Civil Attorney
3. CALL TO THE AUDIENCE (Non Agenda Items Only) opened and closed at 6:02
p.m. There were no speakers.
4. MINUTES
MOTION: Commissioner Adler MOVED to approve the February 7, 2006,
Planning and Zoning Commission regular meeting minutes as written.
Commission Manross seconded the motion. Motion carried 6 yes, 0 no.
5. PRESENTATION
Andy Gunning, Planning Director of the Pima Association of Governments, and staff
support for the Regional Transportation Authority gave a presentation on "Our Mobility".
Mr. Gunning handed out an RTA Project List in 2006 Dollars and a brochure entitled
"Our Mobility" that covered:
• What's in the RTA Plan
• Roadway Improvements
• Transit Improvements
• Bicycle Lane and Pathway Improvements
• Addressing Our Regional Needs
• Reducing Congestion in the Urban Core
• Paying for the Plan
April 4, 2006 Approved Minutes, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION 2
• Potential Economic Impact
• Plan Oversight
Mr. Gunning's presentation was followed by Tom Bush, member of the Citizen's
Advisory Committee, an Oro Valley resident and representative for individuals with
disabilities, involved in putting together the RTA plan. The Citizen's Advisory
Committee's main responsibility was to determine what the public was saying they
would like to see in a transportation plan for the community. Mr. Bush encouraged
everyone to vote yes for items 1 and 2 on the ballot.
The presentation was following by questions and answers.
6. ELECTION OF CHAIR PERSON
Chair John Anning resigned, leaving a vacancy that needs to be filled.
MOTION: Commissioner Adler MOVED TO NOMINATE Acting Chair Pete
Bistany as Planning and Zoning Chair Person. Commissioner Manross seconded
Commissioner Adler's motion. There being no other nominees, the motion
carried 6 yes, 0 no.
Commissioner Adler asked, as a point of order, isn't the election of Chair and Vice Chair
normally done in September, so does the election have to be done again in September?
Attorney Andrews responded yes, in September the Commission will go back through
the normal election process. This election is an infill due to the vacancy.
7. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR PERSON
Due to Vice Chair Bistany being elected to Chair, the office of Vice Chair is now vacant
and needs to be filled.
MOTION: Commissioner Adler MOVED TO NOMINATE Commissioner Doug
McKee to fill the position of Planning and Zoning Vice Chair Person. Chair
Bistany seconded the motion. There being no other nominees, the motion
carried, 6 yes, 0 no.
8. REPORT ON "SUSTAINABLE CITIES, HEALTHY LOCAL ECONOMIES"
CONFERENCE
Commissioner Adler attended the "Sustainable Cities" conference held March 23 and
24, 2006. He gave a brief report on the conference. Sustainability is not an option.
Aspects of sustainability need to be included in the Zoning Code, such as:
• Green building
• Control of emissions
• Solid waste control
• Recycling, etc.
April 4, 2006 Approved Minutes, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION 3
Conservation in the area of sustainability is actually a revenue producer.
Commissioner Adler presented handouts on the Strategic Plan from the City of Portland
Office of Sustainable Development and a Free Community Bike Program.
He said that there is a sense of urgency as a community to take the initiative to adopt
some mandates that will bring sustainability into practice.
9. PLANNING UPDATE
Ms. More gave a brief planning update:
• April 5, 2006, Town Council will address Canada Vistas' development of Honey
Bee Village.
• There has been discussion with the Council on Big Box ordinances from other
jurisdictions in Arizona. At some future date they would like Staff to look at those
Code changes.
• Design Guidelines were also discussed. The end result was not to change
anything, but to reaffirm the Council's commitment to good design, and support
for Staff and the DRB to improve the quality of the built and natural environment
in Oro Valley.
• On April 19, 2006, the Council will be discussing the Planning and Zoning Work
Plan and Strategic Plan.
• Environmentally Sensitive Land (ESL) may be the next item the Council would
like Planning and Zoning to work on.
• The vacancy for the Senior Planner is close to being filled. Once it is filled it will
give the ability to assign more senior experienced staff to special projects, among
which would be code revision items in the Work Plan, as well as Steam Pump
Ranch preservation and development plan.
• Ms. More is currently working on the Honey Bee Archeological Preserve Plan.
10. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
• The fact that this Commission voted to add Design Guidelines to the Work Plan
and they were not put on. Commissioner Adler had presented a list several
months ago that he felt should be added to the Work Plan.
• Sustainability, break into various parts and decide priority.
• Planning Update to decide how to have an exchange with the Planning
Administrator.
• How is the Work Plan generated?
Ms. More said the Town Council is the ultimate authority for the Work Plan. It is
important to have a discussion about topics that relate to the work we do with the
Commission. She was concerned about having two separate disparate discussions
about the Planning and Zoning Work Plan. The Town Council will discuss the Work
Plan on April 19 and it is up to them to tell us what the Work Plan will be. Given there
isn't a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting before that Town Council meeting,
she would suggest that the Commissioners, as individuals, work with the Town Council
April 4, 2006 Approved Minutes, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION 4
members if they feel there is something important that should be on the Work Plan. It is
important to understand that initiation of a project like ESL will be expensive and time
consuming. If it is initiated with the Town Council's approval, it would be inappropriate
to later say never mind, because we will have hired a consultant and given a lot of Staff
resources to the project. It is important that we pay attention to the adopted Work Plan.
Now is not the best timing to add changes. The Work Plan is adopted by the Town
Council.
Commissioner Manross asked that the Commissioners be provided with a copy of the
approved Work Plan as soon as possible so it can go on next months agenda for review
and discussion.
Chair Bistany said he would like to call a Study Session sometime in the near future
regarding the Rules and Operating Procedures and how they relate to direction from the
Town Council.
11. ADJOURN REGULAR SESSION
MOTION: Commissioner Manross MOVED to adjourn the April 4, 2006,
regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Chair Bistany seconded the
motion. Motion carried 6 yes, 0 no. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Prepared by:
Diane Chapman
Office Specialist