MINUTES
CITY OF GOOSE CREEK
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 18, 2011, 6:30 P.M.
MARGUERITE H. BROWN MUNICIPAL CENTER
519 N. GOOSE CREEK BOULEVARD

 

I. Call to Order -Chairperson Sharon Clopton

Ms. Clopton called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Present: Joel Arenson, Sharon Clopton, Jeri Haga, Racheal King, Tom Risso, John Sanders, and Fred Smith
Staff Present: Daniel Ben-Yisrael

II. Review of Minutes - June 20, 2011

Mr. Arenson questioned if there was an action list, kept from minutes, of suggestions and requests made during ARB comments. Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated Staff could provide a list of follow-up enforcement issues as well as adding an agenda item of "Old Business." This would allow the Board to revisit issues that may need to go back before the Board.

Motion: Mr. Arenson made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Smith seconded.
Discussion: There was brief discussion regarding follow-up on items discussed at prior meetings.
Vote: All voted in favor.

III. New Business - Minor Applications

A. Royal Lanes -Wall Mounted Signs

Mr. Stafford with Stafford Signs presented the application. Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated there were two banners on the site which had not been permitted, and that would be addressed.

Motion: Mr. Arenson made a motion to accept the application as submitted. Mr. Risso seconded.
Discussion: Ms. King stated the guidelines for the overlay district do not allow for backlit signs, and there was discussion about the City having redesigned the overlay district and then relaxing the restrictive ordinances, though the Zoning Ordinance has not been updated to reflect some of the changes. Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated the policy has been that the overlay district ordinances have not been enforced, and this is something that should be addressed in the near future and resolved. He said in regards to enforcing the overlay ordinance he suggested addressing it at the upcoming workshop and establish a plan of action to enforce it fully or recommend amendments to the ordinance that will be enforced.
Ms. King said per the overlay ordinance, and due to the fact that this sign does not now exist at all, she felt it should not be approved. There was brief discussion about enforcing and applying the ordinance at this time.
Ms. King stated she felt the lack of enforcement within the overlay district was more related to architectural and building requirements.
Vote: Ms. Clopton requested a roll call vote: Mr. Arenson yes; Ms. Clopton yes; Ms. Haga yes; Ms. King no; Mr. Risso yes; Mr. Sanders yes; and Mr. Smith yes. The motion passed with a 6-1 vote.

IV. Comments from ARB

Mr. Arenson stated in light of the mission statement for the Board, he felt the time limit stated on the agenda for the review of major applications should be eliminated; he felt there should be no time limit for the review of the entire scope of a project. Ms. Clopton stated if the discussion gets in depth the Board will continue the application or presentation to the end of the meeting so that all questions and concerns can be addressed completely.

Ms. Haga commented on the difficulty of redesigning an area that is 90% developed. There was discussion about how to begin changing a vision. There was discussion about not being able to make a change until the City enforces the ordinance as it is written. Ms. Clopton suggested going over the overlay ordinances during the workshop and making a decision as to its enforcement.

Mr. Arenson asked to continue his discussion regarding his concern that having a time limitation stated on the agenda will cause the applicants to feel they must comply with the requirement. Ms. Clopton stated the Board can ask questions and discuss the application without any time constraints. Mr. Ben-Yisrael explained that typically the applicant will give a brief presentation and a summary, go over the key components, and then the Board will ask questions, and this has worked well in the past. There haven't been time limitations on the discussions and decisions.

Mr. Smith asked if there was an ordinance that states how long something is grandfathered. Mr. Ben-Yisrael answered that if a business is nonconforming, this can continue in perpetuity as long as the business makes no substantial changes to the building or site, at which time they could be required to come into compliance; there is no time limit as to being able to require that they come into compliance voluntarily. Mr. Smith stated there should be a time limit, five years for instance, to come into compliance with an ordinance. Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated there is an ordinance amendment being heard by City Council now that will require businesses not now conforming to the new buffering ordinance to come into compliance within five years. He stated there needs to be consideration about not overburdening businesses and still being business friendly, but it is possible for them to adopt such an ordinance.

Mr. Arenson asked if there would be an agenda item added so that they can follow up with past discussions. Ms. Clopton suggested having a written update as part of their package rather than amending the agenda, and any questions can be brought up during "ARB Comments". Mr. Ben-Yisrael suggested other discussion items can be addressed and updated during "Staff Comments". Mr. Arenson stated he was actually hoping to have a comprehensive list where, when they ask Staff to do something or ask for something, it doesn't fall between the cracks and be forgotten. He suggested making it an "Issues List", and items can be carried forward until resolved.

Ms. Clopton mentioned that the day spa does have a dumpster, and it is not covered. She asked if signage for Stickled Pink on Thomason Blvd. had been approved, as they have self adhesive letters on the front of the building.

Mr. Arenson asked if there was anything going on at the Food Lion shopping center, as the sign has been cleaned up. Mr. Ben-Yisrael explained the sign is actually in the right of way and in the City limits, so Staff considers it an abandoned sign and asked that it be removed entirely. The property owners asked if they could just clean it up, as they are actively trying to market the property and have spoken to the City about having it annexed into the City. He said he would have to look at it once it's completed and make a determination if it is acceptable.

V. Comments from Staff

Mr. Ben-Yisrael welcomed Mr. John Sanders to the Board. He reminded them of the upcoming workshop next month and asked that they let Staff know if they had any issues they wish to have discussed.

VI. Adjournment

Mr. Risso made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Arenson seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at or about 7:15 p.m.