MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY
CORBIN PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Scheduled Meeting
Date: February 15, 2007
TIME AND PLACE
A Regular Meeting with the Corbin Planning Commission was held on Thursday, February 15, 2007, at 4:00 P.M. at the Corbin City Hall Government Complex Second Floor Courtroom, Room 202.
Public Hearing : None Scheduled
Regular Business Session Called To Order
Roll Call / Members Present: Chairman Don Robinson Henry Heaberlin Don Hood Lawrence Helton June Martin Martha Copeland
Others Present Were: Bld. Insp./Sec. Frank Burke, and Mr. Stewart Walker.
Regular Business Session Called To Order
Roll Call / Members Present:
Chairman Don Robinson Henry Heaberlin Don Hood Lawrence Helton June Martin Martha Copeland
Others Present Were: Bld. Insp./Sec. Frank Burke, and Mr. Stewart Walker.
Minutes of December 21, 2006 Meeting were reviewed, discussed and approved.
Motion: Henry Heaberlin
2nd : Lawrence Helton
All others present voted Yea. None opposed.
Motion Carried
New Business:
London Radio Services, Wireless Antenna Construction, Request for Height Increase
Chairman Robinson reminded the Board that at this time there is no requirement for a public hearing but that the Board can review and make a recommendation.
Mr. Burke explained that since the original request had been approved, two addition cell companies have contacted Mr. Walker about co-locating on his tower when construction is completed. The original approval allowed a constructed height of 190 feet. The tower could accommodate one of the companies but the other required a height of 220 feet with a completed tower height of 230 feet.
Mr. Stewart stated that since the tower is constructed in 20 feet sections, a finished height of 240 feet. He would then file with the Federal Aviation Board and lights would be required.
Mr. Burke stated that by approval of this request we would accomplish the objective of limiting the number of towers within the City by utilizing an existing tower. Copies of the companies' request are included. There should be no problems on the engineering design aspect of the tower.
Mr. Robinson asked Mr. Walker if he would like to add anything.
Mr. Walker stated that Mr. Burke had covered most everything.
Mr. Robinson then asked Mr. Walker if he had approved the request from the companies.
He stated that he had letters of intent but that it was pending upon the approval by the Commission. The companies, Nextel and Horizon, have request for additional towers if this request is denied.
Mrs. Martin, being absent at the last meeting, asked Mr. Walker if he would describe the location of the construction site and give some detail about his plans.
Mr. Walker explain the process of the last meeting and gave a description of the site and what he planned to construct.
Mr. Heaberlin stated that core drilling had to be conducted to complete a structural analysis of the construction site. The study and information provided my Mr. Walker was quite extensive.
Discussion continued about the site plans, tower design, etc. that was submitted.
Mr. Hood asked about the capacity of the tower at 240 feet.
Mr. Walker stated that he could accommodate five additional antenna. He has one in hand and if the height extension is granted then there will be two with room for three more.
Mr. Robinson explained that as our present ordinance stands that the Board was more of a advisory position and should give a recommendation. He said that he was very appreciative of the work Mr. Walker was doing by providing the opportunity for other companies to utilize his tower. He asked that the Board consider a motion for an advisory opinion that Mr. Walker's request be approved.
Motion June Martin
2nd Lawrence Helton
All others present voted Yea. None opposed.
Motion Carried
Mr. Robinson asked about the status of Bluegrass Cellular.
Mr. Burke stated that he had not been contacted by them and is unaware of their progress even though they stated that they would keep us informed..
Mr. Heaberlin stated that he knew that they were in the process of notifying adjoining property owners and preparing for their hearing.
Mr. Burke stated that it should be noted that the Commissioners did pass the Planning Commission's recommendations for revision of the Cell Tower Section as requested. The ordinance will have to be drawn up and two reading made before it is effective.
Replace Existing Information Sign at Rite Aid on the Cumberland Falls Hwy with an Electronic Message Center, Waiver Request to Change and Install.
Mr. Robinson asked about the authority to grant a waiver for an electronic message center.
Mr. Burke clarified that this type of sign falls under special signs. The Planning Commission has the authority to grant a waiver to permit the installation of this type sign. Foreseeing that in the future electronic signs and other technological advances would have to be addressed, the ability to review and approve or deny a request was incorporated into the Development Ordinance.
Mr. Robinson asked Mr. Burke to go through the request.
Mr. Burke showed the Commission what was in place now and what was proposed to replace it. There was some confusion if they were replacing both signs or only one. It was later clarified that only the main sign on the Falls Road was being changed. As it stands now we may need to address both.
Mr. Hood expressed that he felt that replacing both was understandable because of time saved alone to manually change each sign. An electronic sign could be changed inside by computer.
Ms. Martin stated that it appeared to be similar to the Corbin High School sign and that it looked just as nice.
Mr. Heaberlin compared it to the issue that arose a few years ago with the electronic sign at Eubanks. He stated that the aspect of safety for motorist was a concern then.
Mr. Burke stated that the fact that it had a lighted flashing message that it was considered a safety issue if it distracted motorist.
Mr. Robinson asked about the size comparison to the existing message center. Although there was some minor size difference it was still within limits.
A motion was made that the waiver request be granted.
Motion June Martin
2nd Martha Copeland
All others present voted Yea. None opposed.
Motion Carried
Mr. Robinson asked Mr. Burke to review the changes to the Cell Tower Section that was approved at the last meeting.
Mr. Burke went on to explain the changes that were being made: Conflicting Statement, Public Notification, Public Hearing and Commissioners' Approval of Planing Commission's recommendation.
Old Business:
Use Of Garage Doors On Main Street
Mr. Burke stated that one of the Commissioners had requested that he ask the Planning
Commission to discuss the use of Garage Doors on Main Street, in hope that the Planning Commission could come up with a solution.
Mr. Burke explained the sequence of events that led to the Depot On Main installing a garage door onto the front of their building during some repair work. Although he looked, there was nothing he could find that prohibited the installation of a garage door.
Ms. Martin stated that she felt it was awful. There are enough problems on Main Street without this. She went on to express her displeasure with the removal of the Triplett's building for the installation of storage buildings. She felt the garage door was even worse. She would prefer a security gate.
Mr. Heaberlin then stated that there were others. For example Fox's Auto Electric and other service station type businesses on Main Street.
Ms. Martin asked what could be done about it?
Mr. Burke stated that there was nothing at this time and that is why the Commission hoped Planning could come up with a solution to prevent it in the future. He didn't know if it was something that Planning should address in the Development Ordinance or if the Commissioners should pass an ordinance banning them.
Ms. Copeland stated that a complete ban of all garage doors on Main Street covered a very large area. She has seen some that look like her front door. They are side hinged and look very nice.
Mr. Burke stated that he understood. Planning may want to designate an area instead of just on Main Street and be more descriptive in the restriction.
An intense discussion followed including mention of the Main Street Program that Corbin has initiated.
Mr. Robinson asked Mr. Burke if someone approached him again with a proposal for a garage door on Main Street, could he postpone issuance of a permit until it is addressed.
Mr. Burke stated that he felt it could be held up pending a decision by the Commissioners.
Mr. Robinson stated that you can't ban all garage doors downtown, it would need to be more specific.
Ms. Copeland stated that some type Architectural guidelines or approval should be required. She had no solution as to how it should be done, but the integrity of the town needed to be preserved but someone qualified should make the decision.
Mrs. Martin stated that we had lost so much downtown that Corbin was embarrassing. She stated that she saw where Cox's furniture is going out of business. There will be another vacant run down building.
Mrs. Copeland stated that Somerset had done a good job with downtown but they had something to work with, Corbin doesn't have anything to work with. There is not much worth preservation.
Other areas were discussed including standing walls and the CSX building next to the old Depot. Mrs. Martin stated that they needed cited. Mr. Burke tried to update the Board on some of the history behind why there were these areas that had been mentioned.
The status of the annexation of the CSX property was discussed.
Mrs. Martin asked about the minutes of the last meeting and wanted to know exactly where the newly annexed property was. She thought it was the adjoining property that belonged to Jim Stewart, but it was not. She wanted to know if he could be made to clean up his property.
Mr. Burke stated that without a reciprocal agreement with the county we could not.
Mr. Robinson stated that as originally brought up, something needs to be done about garage doors. The only solution he has at the moment is to allow the Planning Commission to look at any future proposal of this nature until the Commission can enact something permanent.
Mr. Heaberlin asked Mr. Burke if he would approach Mr. Curry, owner of the Depot on Main, and see if he would do something about the refrigerator white color and paint it to match the buildings color of beige. Everyone agreed that this would help somewhat.
There was continued discussion about the various buildings that did have some merit and were worth saving as well as those that were not. It was clear that there isn't a lot to work with but they were all optimistic that the Main Street Program would eventually pay off.
Open Floor for any areas of interest.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was, on motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously carried, ADJOURNED.
As and for the Planning ATTEST:
And Zoning Commission
____________________________ Date: ___________________________
Don Robinson, Chairman
____________________________ Date: ___________________________
Frank Burke, Secretary
