BY LINDA BENTLEY | MAY 25, 2011
Motorcycle repair shop may be able to post hours
Planning commission to review lighting and signage chapters in June
CAVE CREEK – Planning Director Ian Cordwell announced the next planning commission meeting will be on June 16, where the feedback from the business community currently being gathered by Arizona State University Planning Department interns will assist the commission in its review of lighting and signage, the remaining two chapters of the zoning ordinance.
Jim Fantin, John Ross and Alan Nissen spoke during public comment regarding lot coverage and asked the commission to consider increasing the percentage of lot coverage allowed for Desert Rural-190 (approximately 5 acres).
Currently, the zoning ordinance allows for 5 percent lot coverage (9,500 square feet), which only allows for 600 square feet more under-roof coverage than a lot half its size.
Cordwell stated a 1 percent increase would allow for an additional 1,900 square feet.
Assistant Planner Luke Kautzman said Carefree allows for 6 percent coverage under its Rural 190 zoning category, but allows for additional square footage for a mare motel and barn.
After discussion and with Commissioner Rae Iverson absent, the commission voted 5-1, with Anderson dissenting, to recommend increasing the lot coverage from 5 percent to 7 percent.
Anderson said she believed a smaller increase was warranted.
Chairman Dan Baxley noted Anderson will be able to discuss her position on lot coverage as a council member next month.
The agenda also included two zoning cases from properties known as Area 10, just south of Walmart, which received general plan amendments last year to change the land use from Desert Rural to mixed use.
Both property owners were applying for a change in zoning from Desert Rural to General Commercial.
Planner Ben Patton was representing applicant Chris Wilson’s one-acre parcel located at the southeast corner of Olesen and Cave Creek roads.
He said the parcel was being considered for a drive-through eatery but couldn’t announce the name of the restaurant since it was not finalized.
Walmart Attorney Sean Lake said Walmart supports them in their land use and wanted to be on record to say their access could not disturb the berm currently under construction to protect the residents on Olesen Road from adverse traffic effects.
Lake stated the applicant could share in the cost of the traffic signal going in at that corner and said access was a design issue he thought could be handled.
The commission voted unanimously in favor of recommending approval.
Cameron Smith and Leslie Gustafson (r) were the second case on the agenda with a rezoning request from Desert Rural to General Commercial for the 2.2-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Cave Creek Road and Seven Palms Drive.
Smith, who has operated his motorcycle and small machinery repair business at that location since 1997 as a home occupation, stated he has no intention of changing anything on the property but would like to put up a sign to advertise his business.
Currently, Smith said people come to his home all days and hours and he would just like to put up a sign saying when they’re open and closed – nothing fancy – no variance request.
In moving to recommend approval, Commissioner Reg Monachino stated, “These folks have been in business for so many years, it’s about time they had a sign.”
The commission agreed, voting unanimously in favor of recommending approval.
