changed or altered.

A discussion regarding the proposed banners and their proximity to entry doors ensued.

Note: City Attorney O’Keefe left the meeting (6:45 p.m.).

Joanne Boulton asked if these banners are already up.

Mr. Wilson replied “yes”. He indicated that the leasing company engaged the sign company for these, which were initially shown on their development plans but without design and/or lettering.

Joanne Boulton asked if the banners were approved back then.

Anna Krane, indicating that she was not working for Clayton during the initial development proposal or approval; however, signs are considered separately from those reviews.

Ron Reim commented that Planned Unit Developments typically go through a sign district approval process which coverage signage for the entire development and as such, he is inclined to have the applicant come back with a signage district package for this Board to consider.

Chairman Lichtenfeld agreed, stating that a comprehensive sign package should be presented and approved at the same time.

Ron Reim commented that Planned Unit Developments typically go through a sign district approval process which coverage signage for the entire development and as such, he is inclined to have the applicant come back with a signage district package for this Board to consider. Chairman Lichtenfeld agreed, stating that a comprehensive sign package should be presented and approved at the same time.

11

Anna Krane informed the members that the applicants were given that option and the applicant chose to ask for a sign modification which requires review by this Board.

Joanne Boulton stated that she, too, agrees with Ron and that it makes it difficult to consider without seeing all signs together.

A lengthy discussion about possible future signs (wall signs, restaurant signs, etc.) ensued. Joanne Boulton stated that she was shocked to see the signs (banners) already up.

Susan Istenes commented that she does not believe there was any ill-intent when the banners were put up; she believes it was a misunderstanding.

Joanne Boulton stated that she has a problem with the “rent today” banners.

Mr. Wilson indicated that the banners create more depth and add an aesthetic quality to the building. He added that if the Board believes there is a better opportunity to have these approved under a signage sub-district, then he will consult that with his client.

Joanne Boulton stated that she has less objection to the non-sign banners as the building needs color. She asked for more clarification.

William Liebermann asked if staff can approve these on a temporary basis.

Susan Istenes indicated that as long as the applicant is diligent in proceeding with the proper approval process, staff can work with them to keep the signs up; she added that other signs will follow on other buildings and noted the change in the sign code to allow for temporary signs.

Joanne Boulton asked for that information. She then asked about a time frame for this applicant.

Susan Istenes suggested 120 days.

Mr. Wilson indicated that he is confident he can take care of this within 120 days.

Craig Owens referred to the City’s program regarding event signs/banners on the City’s light poles, which is handled by the City’s Public Works Department.

Mr. Wilson stated that these signs will change seasonally; he’s trying to understand the process.

Craig Owens indicated that there’s a difference between signage and architectural features.

Ron Reim stated that signage is a means of identification versus a means to promote; he stated that this Board needs a clear understanding of what is wanted.

The motion was seconded by Ron Reim and unanimously approved by the Board. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS – USE OF 6409 & 6411 CLAYTON ROAD AS MULTI-FAMILY UNITS

13 Michael and Joe Wotka, owners, were in attendance at the meeting.

Susan Istenes noted that these are two identical requests for buildings next to each other that are located in the Clayton Road Urban Design District, which requires a conditional use permit for a multi-family use. Each of the properties contain a two-story, 3,864-square-foot building constructed in the 20s that have been vacant for a number of years. A four-space surface parking lot is located behind each building with access from the rear alley. The applicant proposes to restore the four approximately 800-square-foot residential units in each building. No exterior building alterations, site improvements or landscaping are proposed at this time. The Zoning Code requires two parking spaces for each dwelling unit in multi-family buildings. For each of these buildings, eight parking spaces are required, and four parking spaces are provided in the surface parking lot behind each building. Under the Conditional Use Permit process, the Board of Aldermen has the ability to approve a parking waiver when conditions warrant a reduction. The applicant is requesting a reduction in the required on-site parking spaces to four spaces for each building. There is public parking available along Clayton Road. Most of the multi-family buildings in the neighborhood do not provide two parking spaces per unit and the proposed residential units are one-bedroom units. It is of the opinion of staff that there is sufficient public parking available to support demand. Based on the City’s Bicycle Parking Regulations the proposed building is required to provide one bicycle rack; however, one has not been shown on the plans. Staff recommends that the applicant submit a site plan showing the location of the required bicycle rack in conformance with the Bicycle Parking Regulations, to be approved by staff prior to the issuance of a building permit. Director Istenes concluded by stating that the building sizes and proposed use is comparable to other nearby buildings. The applicant is requesting a four space waiver from the City’s parking requirements. No exterior building alterations, site improvements or landscaping are proposed at this time. Staff is of the opinion that the proposed project meets the criteria for conditional use permit approval and recommends approval with the condition that a site plan be submitted for each building showing the location of the required bicycle rack in conformance with the Bicycle Parking Regulations, to be approved by staff prior to the issuance of a building permit.

Mr. Wotka (Michael) informed the members that these family buildings have been vacant for some time and they would like to bring it back as residential.

Chairman Lichtenfeld stated that the plans show the potential for a second bedroom (sunroom).

Mr. Wotka (Michael) indicated that they believe there were murphy beds in those rooms but because they face Clayton Road sound would be an issue, so they intend to keep them as 1 bedroom units.

Anna Krane informed the members that they could make a condition of approval that they be one bedroom units and re-evaluate it if at some point the owners want to use them as 2 bedroom units.

Wotka (Michael) indicated that they believe there were murphy beds in those rooms but because they face Clayton Road sound would be an issue, so they intend to keep them as 1 bedroom units. Anna Krane informed the members that they could make a condition of approval that they be one bedroom units and re-evaluate it if at some point the owners want to use them as 2 bedroom units.

14 Joanne Boulton voiced her concern that college students would be happy to use that other room as a bedroom and then there could be a parking issue. She asked the owners to consider allowing their tenants to use the commercial parking lot when the business tenants are closed.

Mr. Wotka (Michael) indicated that they could do that, they just don’t want parking tied into their conditional use permits.

Joanne Boulton stated that she’d be more comfortable putting a requirement into the conditional use permits. She noted that Clayton Road is metered and Alamo is a difficult regarding parking, too.

Mr. (Michael) Wotka stated that he’s sensitive to the concern.

Joanne Boulton asked the owners to do something with the overgrown buses in the front yards of these properties.

Hearing no further questions or comments, Ron Reim made a motion to recommend approval of the conditional use permits for both 6409 and 6411 Clayton Road to the Board of Aldermen per staff recommendations (installing a bicycle rack per staff approval) and the recommended conditions that the owners allow the residential tenants use of the adjacent commercial parking lots (that they own) for overflow parking and that the units remain one bedroom units. The motion was seconded by Craig Owens and unanimously approved by the members.

Mr. Wotka (Joe) informed the members that their parking lot is used for overflow parking during the evenings already.

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Ron Reim asked about the ice rink project.

Craig Owens indicated that they are looking at other design options.

Ron Reim stated that he is stumped as to why no permit is needed for short retaining walls.

Anna Krane explained that staff uses an Administrative ARB “Permit” for walls that don’t require building permits; new walls in the front yard require formal ARB review. Other projects that staff uses the Administrative Permit for include driveways and changes to impervious coverage.

Having no further business before the Commission this evening, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

_______________________________ Recording Secretary