The Clarkson Valley Planning and Zoning Commission, pursuant to notices published in the St. Louis Countian and the West Newsmagazine and all notices mailed to homes within 500′ of the proposal met on Monday, April 14, 2014, at the Clarkson Executive Building to consider two agenda items and to make a recommendation to the Board of Aldermen.
Planning and Zoning Commission Members present were:
Artie Ahrens, Acting Chairman
Honora Schiller
John Cloute
Anne Grabner
Jerry Litschgi
Member Gregg Bogosian was unable to attend.
Mayor Scott Douglass; Alderperson Amy Setnicka, Ward 2; and City Clerk, Michele McMahon also attended
After the meeting was called to order the Acting Chairman introduced Commission Members. The City Clerk read the Notice of Public Hearing for the first agenda item: To consider a request from Rockwood School District for a Special Use Permit to install an electronic marquee in the identical location of the existing hand-operated sign at property known as 2351 Clarkson Road and to make a recommendation to the Board of Aldermen.
Mr. Shane Matzen introduced both himself and David Brand from Piros Sign. He said he was Marquette’s Activities Director and as such, was asked to bring this request forward for the school. He stated the existing sign was installed in 1993 and is reminiscent of the roll out small town signs – probably not the ambiance Clarkson Valley wants associated with their City.
The majority of questions asked regarded strobe capacity, animation flashes and the duration of time each line remains on the sign, to which Mr. Matzen responded there will be no graphics or animation and the duration would be between 10 to 15 seconds at a time and all control for the sign is located in Mr. Matzen’s office. A correction was made to the initial request which was for a single-sided sign. This would be a double-sided sign.
Mrs. Debbie Lang introduced herself, saying she was a representative of the Parent Community, the organization responsible for funding the sign. She said, not only does the sign spread the good work; but it’s a timely matter to get important information posted immediately. She concluded by saying this proposal has unanimous support from the community.
Another question asked was about the brightness of the sign. Mr. Brand likened the sign to a vehicle’s dashboard, stating it is brighter in the day, darker at night and is 100% adjustable.
The Planning & Zoning Chairman, Artie Ahrens, asked for proponents or opponents to which there were none
A vote was taken with the motion to accept the proposal as stated on the agenda with the following result: Yeas: Ahrens, Schiller, Cloute, Grabner and Litschgi. There were no nays. The motion was declared as having passed. Chairman Ahrens stated the Planning and Zoning Commission makes an affirmative recommendation to the Board of Aldermen.
The City Clerk read the Notice of Public Hearing for the second agenda item: To consider a request from a resident of the Dunhill Subdivision for a Special Use Permit to locate a building mounted solar energy system on the south garage consisting of 28 panels and 43 panels in three locations on the rear-facing roof at property known as 2233 Dunhill Way Court in the Dunhill Subdivision and to make a recommendation to the Board of Aldermen.
Mr. Ken Schibler introduced both the contractor, Dan Shannon with Microgrid Solar and himself. He stated his request is for 71 panels. At its peak they will generate 18 kW which will take care of 45% of his household use. The project, of note, exceeds the 2012 International Fire Code; they have Ameren approval; and he changed the roof tiles to match the color of the insolated panels to be more aesthetically pleasing.
Acting Commissioner, Artie Ahrens asked Mayor Douglass about the 2012 fire code to which Mayor Douglass stated it would be on the Agenda at the May Board Meeting, further commenting the Board can approve the request with the exception to the current code.
The Schibler’s neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Rocky Prasse were present at this evening’s meeting and were asked by Mrs. Grabner for their opinion. Mr. Prasse brought up satellite dishes from the past and asked where solar panels were going – would the progression be similar? He concluded by saying the proposal would not be bad if they kept the panels in the back of the house where no one could see them.
Mr. Schibler was asked if he considered ground-mounted panels to which he said he had, however, his yard has an extreme slope and placement would be visible to eight homes. He was then asked if he would consider adding additional landscaping so the project would not be visible to the Prasse’s to which he said it is not feasible because his property ends at the driveway.
A vote was taken with the motion to accept the proposal as stated on the agenda with the following result: Yeas: Ahrens, Schiller, Cloute, Grabner and Litschgi. There were no nays. The motion was declared as having passed. Chairman Ahrens stated the Planning and Zoning Commission makes an affirmative recommendation to the Board of Aldermen.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Artie Ahrens, Acting Chairman
Planning and Zoning Commission
City of Clarkson Valley