Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Minutes

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF BALLWIN – 300 PARK DRIVE
June 6, 2005

The meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman Michael Boland at 7:00 p.m.  Members in attendance were:

PRESENT                                                                       ABSENT 
Chairman Michael Boland                         Commissioner Phyllis Erwin 
Commissioner Frank Karr                         Commissioner Sue Heath 
Commissioner Ron Kadane 
Commissioner Jeff Medler  
Commissioner Ed Montgomery 
Commissioner Tim Reisel 
Commissioner Don Walters 
Alderman Jimmy Terbrock 
Mayor Walt Young 
Assistant City Administrator Tom Aiken 
City Attorney Lou Lucchesi

Approval of Minutes

Mayor Walt Young stated that he did not vote on Petition SUB05-1 and would abstain from voting on future petitions, and asked that the minutes of the May 2, 2005 meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission be amended to reflect that.  Commissioner Walters recommended that, for clarity, the third paragraph of the discussion of Petition SUB 05-1 be amended to say “90-degree angle to the street” regarding the placement of the culvert. 

A motion was made by Commissioner Kadane and seconded by Commissioner Montgomery to approve the minutes of the May 2, 2005 meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission as amended.  The motion received unanimous approval from the members present.

SUE 05-5—Special Use Exception Petition—The Hertz Corporation, 9477 Aerospace Drive, Woodson Terrace MO  63134—Mr. Mark Katon

Ms. Jeannie Aumiller, attorney for the petitioner, addressed the Commission on behalf of the Hertz Corporation, to request the approval of the special use exception for an automobile leasing facility.  She described the site and its current zoning, as well as that of the surrounding properties (C-1 Commercial).  She also gave some background regarding Hertz, stating that while they mainly operate out of airports, within the last few years Hertz has changed its business plan to implement smaller neighborhood automobile leasing facilities.  Mr. Mark Katon, Territory Development Manager for Hertz, stated that since 2001, Hertz has increased the number of neighborhood locations from approximately 300 to 1400 nationwide.

Ms. Aumiller stated that, as stated in the petition review report, the petitioner is not proposing any changes to the site plan of Triple H Farms Plaza, nor are they planning any significant changes to the exterior of the building.  The petitioner does plan to install a “Hertz” sign, which will be in compliance with the City of Ballwin’s sign regulations.

Ms. Aumiller stated that Hertz would employ 3-4 employees at the site, and the proposed hours of operation will be Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the “summer season” which Hertz describes as Memorial Day through Columbus Day.  During the “off-season,” the Saturday hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Hertz will have only 8-12 rental cars parked on the site at any one time, as the main storage facility is at the airport.  Mr. Katon stated that it is each local manager’s goal to have only the vehicles they need on-site, since Hertz offers a financial incentive for cars to be returned to the airport for rental there.  Ms. Aumiller stated that no cleaning, detailing, or fueling is done at the neighborhood level.  It is all done at the airport.

Ms. Aumiller referred to the petition review report, which states that the square footage of the leased space (approx. 1300 sq. ft.) requires a minimum of seven parking spaces.  The petitioner’s lease will state that 16 parking spaces will be dedicated to Hertz.  Ms. Aumiller addressed the zoning ordinance requirements/SUE regulations listed in the petition review report, and noted the petitioner’s compliance with those issues.

Mayor Walt Young asked City Planner Tom Aiken if the three parking spaces on the east side would allow enough room for emergency vehicles to get through.  Mr. Aiken said that it would, as it is a wide shared driveway between Jay Wolfe Toyota and Triple H Farms Plaza.

Chairman Boland declared the public hearing opened and asked if there were any proponents to speak in favor of SUE 05-5.  There were none.  Chairman Boland then asked if there were any opponents to speak against the petition.  There were none, and Chairman Boland declared the public hearing closed.

Commissioner Kadane commented that he corresponded with Mr. Aiken regarding the submitted site plan.  Mr. Aiken stated that since the petitioner was not making amendments to the site plan, he did not ask the petitioner to submit an elaborate site plan duplicating what is already on file.

A motion was made by Commissioner Kadane and seconded by Commissioner Montgomery to recommend approval of petition SUE 05-5 to the Board of Aldermen.  The motion received unanimous approval from the Commission members present.  Mayor Walt Young abstained from voting.

Chairman’s Comments

Chairman Boland stated that, pursuant to Mayor Young’s decision to have a rotating chairmanship for the Planning & Zoning Commission and following further review by the mayor and staff, it was decided that an Acting Chairman would be appointed for instances of an unavoidable absence of the Chairman.  Commissioner Tim Reisel agreed to accept the position at Chairman Boland’s request.  Commissioner Montgomery made a motion to accept Commissioner Reisel as backup Chairman; Commissioner Medler seconded the motion, which received unanimous approval from the Commission members present.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Commissioner Montgomery and seconded by Commissioner Reisel to adjourn the meeting.  The motion received unanimous approval.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Michael Boland, Chairman

LB