Minutes-03/07/2012

CITY OF TIFFIN Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday, March 7, 2012 6: 30 p. m. Springmier Community Library at CCA Middle School The Tiffin Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at the Springmier Community Library. Chairperson Kate Fitzgerald called meeting to order at 6: 35 p. m. Members present: Melvin Reeve and Stephanie Surine. Absent: Jim Schmidt and Shawna Colvin. Also present: Attorney Greenleaf. Mayor.Berner and Travis Weipert. Motion Surine second Reeve to approve agenda with the clarification that the setback discussion concerns R- 2 zones ( not PAD) and with the notation that the commission will also review the current trails map for accuracy. Carried unanimously. Motion Surine second Reeve to approve minutes of February 1, 2012. Carried unanimously. Rezoning Request for Lot 48 and. Outlot C in Timber Ridge View Estates Motion Surine second Reeve to deny request from City of Tiffin to rezone lot 48 and outlot C of Timber Ridge View Estates from R- 2 to PAD ( planned area development) due to the fact that the area is 4. 97 acres and the minimum size requirement for a PAD is 5 acres. Carried unanimously P& Z commission members consensus that they do not foresee any problems with the board of adjustment granting a variance for the PAD because the area is . 03 acres less than the size requirement and owners of PAD zones must seek council approval for the planned area development before they begin to build. Subdivision Ordinance Fitzgerald reported that the subdivision ordinance is in the process of being typed and she will send an electronic copy to the members so they can view the edits. Item placed on the next P& Z meeting on April 4, 2012. Noise in Commercial Zones Fitzgerald reported that Attorney Greenleaf brought the issue of noise regulation in commercial zones to the city council' s attention last month. The city does not have noise regulations in commercial or light industrial zones. Greenleaf stated that the city currently uses a decibel standard in other zones, but that no one has equipment to measure decibels and if prosecuted, the city has to get equipment and convince a judge that it is trustworthy. Another issue is whether to measure the noise at its source or at the reception site, and where two zones adjoin, which standard should apply. The further from the origination site of the noise, the more difficult it would be to measure or prove the noise level. Also, the city currently has a noise ordinance, but industrial noise is addressed in the zoning ordinance rather than the noise ordinance, probably due to the fact that there are a lot of regulations regarding industrial zones. Most people would look to the noise ordinance first. General discussion concerning how to establish noise levels without being too restrictive and how to establish exceptions such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers.