PLANNING COMMISSION
GLADSTONE, MISSOURI
October 5, 2009
7:30 pm
Present: Council & Staff Present:
Ms. Alexander Chris Helmer, Planning Specialist
Ms. Babich David Ramsay, City Counselor
Mr. Garnos Becky Jarrett, Admin. Assist.
Ms. Smith
Mr. Velasquez
Mr. Whitton
Ms. Abbott
Mr. Steffens
Mr. Turnage
Chairman Hill
Absent: Mr. West
Item 2 on the Agenda: Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Hill led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item 3 on the Agenda: Approval of the August 18, 2009 minutes.
MOTION: By Mr. Steffens, second by Mr. Whitton to approve the August 18, 2009, minutes as submitted. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Item 4 on the Agenda: Communications from the Audience.
None.
Item 5 on the Agenda: PUBLIC HEARING: On an ordinance amending Title VII, “Zoning and Planning Ordinance” of the City Code by enacting a new Chapter 167, “Alternative Energy Systems” and other amendments relating to the siting, placement and approvals of such structures in the City.
Planning Specialist Chris Helmer said that before he gets into the presentation he wanted to mention that he will probably be sending out an email in the morning with some additional information. It will just be educational concerning some of the resources available including incentives such as State and Federal rebates.
Mr. Helmer continued by stating that there were two study sessions held back on April 6th and August 18th on alternative energy systems that the Commission heard that were pretty detailed. City staff also presented the information to the City Council a couple of times in study sessions as well. To back up a little, Mr. Helmer explained that like many of the decisions of the Commission has made in the past this one is largely based on land use regulation that the Commission is accustomed to such as setbacks, aesthetics, and other things that can impact residential properties. As a result of having those discussions the conceptual models that staff showed in the PowerPoint has now been crafted into the model that is being presented this evening. He pointed out that this ordinance has been a process that staff has been a part of for quite some time. The front page of the ordinance outlines some of the reasons for bringing this ordinance forward [Legislative Findings].
Mr. Helmer also spoke about the partnership between the Greater Kansas City Chamber’s Climate Protection Partnership that the City is a part of as well as working in conjunction with the goals that the City Council has set forth for city staff to look at. Staff is hopeful that the Commission will make a recommendation to take before the City Council at their regular meeting of October 12, 2009. He offered to answer any questions at this time.
Chairman Hill asked if the Planning Commissioners had any questions. Hearing none he asked for those in favor of the application to come forward. There was no response. He asked for those in opposition to come forward.
Cathy Rinehart, 7400 NE Antioch Road, addressed the Commission. Ms. Rinehart asked if she is reading the ordinance correctly in that she will not be allowed to have a generator at her home without permission from the City of Gladstone.
Mr. Helmer asked if Ms. Rinehart was referring to emergency outages.
Inaudible voice from audience.
Mr. Helmer said that he would be glad to go over that information with Ms. Rinehart internally with City staff.
Ms. Rinehart said that this is the meeting that they’re having right here and the ordinance doesn’t say that she can have a generator at her home whether it be for an emergency or otherwise; you can interpret this anyway you want.
Mr. Helmer asked what page she was specifically referring to.
Chairman Hill asked the unidentified speaker to step to the podium.
Ms. Rinehart said that his name is Ken Chaney, 7400 NE Antioch Road.
The paused stalled as Ms. Rinehart and Mr. Chaney began looking through the ordinance to find the section they were speaking of.
Mr. Garnos clarified that this ordinance was directly referencing wind generation systems and solar paneled systems not emergency generators like a gas-fired emergency generator.
Mr. Helmer answered that yes; a lot of these systems are going to have some sort of supporting system for electrical. The language that has been stated within the ordinance for both wind and solar is that there is no off grid systems that have been permitted and some of the discussions about that were largely due to the fact that smaller urban settings simply aren’t going to maybe have the capability of totally maximizing or sustaining from and electrical standpoint smaller residential homes as opposed to a rural setting where you could have a lot more applications.
Chairman Hill asked if Ms. Rinehart could point out the section she is referring to.
Ms. Rinehart said if she could find it she would. She knows they read it in the paper. She hates to tell them this, but people are going to have them [generators] whether you give them permission or not.
Chairman Hill said not only that, but there are cell towers with generators attached to them and he wants to make sure that this doesn’t apply to that, but he is just not recalling seeing anything that has to do with generators.
Ms. Rinehart asked if there would be another meeting on this ordinance.
Chairman Hill said that the Planning Commission would not have another meeting, but there will be a public hearing before the City Council next Monday if she could find that section and bring it to their attention then.
Again, Mr. Helmer mentioned that he would be happy to go over the ordinance in detail with Ms. Rinehart as necessary, but as Chairman Hill has stated the final authority of this ordinance does have one more public hearing at the City Council.
Ms. Rinehart replied that she has discovered in the past that once things get to the City Council that they are pretty much a done deal.
Mr. Whitton asked if the City’s attorney wrote this ordinance.
Mr. Ramsay said that he did not write the ordinance and looking through it just now he does not see what Ms. Rinehart is referring to.
Mr. Turnage asked if this ordinance came from a boiler plate language or a model-type ordinance and if so wouldn’t they have considered something like this.
Mr. Helmer answered that there are aspects of this ordinance that are unique to the City of Gladstone; however, there has been a lot of supporting evidence and work that has been done prior not only in the metropolitan area, but in the nation at large. To say it’s just a complete boiler-plate or something that staff has used is not maybe not one hundred percent accurate, but staff has looked at different model ordinances and combined the various aspects that they felt was appropriate after having the discussion with the Commission and City Council.
Chairman Hill said that for purposes of the record and the City Council hearing next week, he didn’t think it is the intention of the Planning Commission to approve the ordinance that at this time relates to generators.
Ms. Abbott asked if #8 on page 13 might have been what Ms. Rinehart was looking for. It read: Utility Notification: No SWECS shall be installed until evidence has been given that the utility company has been informed of the customer’s intent to install an interconnected customer-owned generator.
Mr. Helmer said that language is pretty common with these types of ordinances. The utility companies tend to be heavily involved and want to know what’s occurring with these types of systems too.
Chairman Hill asked if there was any further discussion. Hearing none, he closed the public hearing.
MOTION: By Mr. Garnos, second by Ms. Babich to approve an ordinance amending Title VII, “Zoning and Planning Ordinance” of the City Code by enacting a new Chapter 167, “Alternative Energy Systems” and other amendments relating to the siting, placement and approvals of such structures in the City.
VOTE: Ms. Alexander Yes
Ms. Babich Yes
Mr. Turnage Yes
Mr. Garnos Yes
Ms. Smith Yes
Mr. Velasquez Yes
Mr. Whitton Yes
Ms. Abbott Yes
Mr. Steffens Yes
Chairman Hill Yes
The motion carried. (10-yes, 0-no)
Item 6 on the Agenda: PUBLIC HEARING: On an ordinance amending Title VII of the Gladstone Municipal Code adopting Chapter 181, “Outdoor Lighting Ordinance” regulating outdoor lighting on public and private property.
Mr. Helmer reported that he believes this ordinance is a good piggyback as far as the discussion that the Commission has been having. The intent of the ordinance has been cumulated as a result of discussions and participation that city staff has been a part of from a regional standpoint. Many local communities are looking at outdoor regulation not only from a light pollution aspect, but also as a way to investigate and find solutions to our overall carbon footprint and save on electrical consumption. Most local governments, outside of fleet vehicle consumption from gasoline, electric usage can be incredibly high just for the very obvious reasons that we provide those types of services for our residents whether it’s safety, residential or commercial development. Mr. Helmer said that the main provisions within this ordinance largely are attributed to looking at the energy efficient lighting on re-development and new development projects as well as street projects and things that the city might be involved in as well as the private side. At the last meeting, Mr. Helmer said that he presented a series of slides on two types of lighting that have been considered and a part of these regional discussions. Those are LED (light-emitting diode) technology as well as induction lighting. These are not new technologies; however, they have taken off on a much faster pace in the United States than they have in other parts of the world. The unique aspect of this ordinance is one that is quite progressive and is occurring in other parts of the region, and that is going beyond light pollution and requiring specifically a type of lighting of LED and induction. That section, titled Area Lighting, is really the heart of this ordinance and what the city is trying to achieve. Mr. Helmer offered to answer questions at this time.
Chairman Hill asked for questions from the Commission.
Mr. Turnage asked if Gladstone currently has any light pollution, as mentioned in the purpose statement (page two).
Mr. Helmer answered that he couldn’t answer that question specifically, but rather this ordinance as well as the wind and solar ordinance is to look at ways of being pro-active on what staff is seeing occur in other regions. Light pollution can be a pretty subjective thing.
There was no one in favor or opposition of the application. The public hearing was closed. Chairman Hill called for a motion.
MOTION: By Mr. Steffens, second by Ms. Babich to approve an ordinance amending Title VII of the Gladstone Municipal Code adopting Chapter 181, “Outdoor Lighting Ordinance” regulating outdoor lighting on public and private property.
VOTE: Ms. Alexander Yes
Ms. Babich Yes
Mr. Turnage Yes
Mr. Garnos Yes
Ms. Smith Yes
Mr. Velasquez Yes
Mr. Whitton Yes
Ms. Abbott Yes
Mr. Steffens Yes
Chairman Hill Yes
The motion carried. (10-yes, 0-no)
Item 6 on the Agenda: Communications from the City Council and the City Staff.
Mr. Helmer reported that Mayor Rudi and Councilman McCullough are currently away at MML and send their regrets for not attending. He informed the Commission that the Council recently approved the Gladstone Farmer’s Market at their last meeting. It will be a partnership with the Friends of the Atkins Johnson Farm and will use volunteers to help make it successful. The market will take place at the vacant parking lot at 70th Street and Locust.
Mr. Helmer said that Gladstone’s Green Team had it’s first representation at Gladfest. This is an internal group that looks at ways to do things differently around City Hall to conserve resources. The Green Team worked with COG-WIT to staff the City booth over the weekend.
Item 7 on the Agenda: Communications from the Planning Commission Members.
Ms. Abbott said it was good that Broadway was finally resurfaced, but they didn’t curb where there are no curbs.
Mr. Turnage encouraged everyone to come and run the scarecrow run at Gladfest next year. It is Sunday morning at 7:30 am. The run benefits the Northland Christmas Store.
Ms. Smith said she was excited about the sidewalk being installed on Antioch Road.
Ms. Alexander agreed that she too likes the sidewalks. She and Mary was on the Neighborhood Commission during Gladstone on the Move and so it is particularly nice to see. Ms. Alexander said she understands that is a federally funded project.
Mr. Helmer said that is correct.
Mr. Velasquez asked about Mountain View apartments. They have put a lot of debris by their new shed.
Chairman Hill thanked city staff for all their help at Gladfest.
Item 8 on the Agenda: Adjournment.
Chairman Hill adjourned the meeting at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
______________________________________ Approved as submitted _____
Becky Jarrett, Recording Secretary
______________________________________ Approved as corrected _____
J. Brian Hill, Chairman