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PZC Minutes 07-05-2011 (2)Town of Avon Planning & Zoning Commission }(^ Regular Meeting Minutes for July 5, 2011 H�0 Avon Town Council Chambers „ " „ Meetings are open to the public Avon Municipal Building / One Lake Street I. Call to Order (5:OOpm) The meeting was called to order at 5:04 pm. II. Roll Call All commissioners were present with the exception of Commissioners Minervini, Anderson, and Struve. III. Additions & Amendments to the Agenda Larry Brooks, Town Manager, wanted to be added to the agenda as Item VI. IV. Conflicts of Interest Commissioner Losa stated that his firm was hired to provide drawings for the Main Street plans. Commissioner Prince stated that he would prefer that Commissioner Losa recuse himself due to the precedent setting nature of allowing him to review the item. Commissioner and Staff discussion ensued regarding his conflict of interest and ultimately they decided that Commissioner Losa should be recused. V. Consent Agenda • Approval of the June 21, 2011 Meeting Minutes Action: Commissioner Clancy, Prince and Green provided comments. Commissioner Green moved to table the consent agenda due to a lack of quorum. VI. Town Manager Update Discussion: Larry Brooks discussed the outcome of the Walgreen's review. He stated that he did not want to discuss the motion, code, reviewing documents, or outcome. Larry Brooks overviewed the community appearance that the review by Town Council initiated by staff created a wedge between Staff, PZC, and Town Council. Larry Brooks stated that even though past Council's have asked for "report cards" on PZC decisions, the current council does not want the same "report card". He stated that the staff will no longer provide that type of update to the Council. VII. Town Center Mall Improvements - Design Review Description: Review of revised design plans related to Town Center Mall improvements slated for the 2011 and 2012 construction seasons. Work will include: repaving, electric work, new light fixtures, seating, lighting, way finding, and special event programming. Additional Sketch Design level drawings will be reviewed. Discussion: Sally Vecchio updated the PZC on the modification from their previous review. She introduced Pedro Campos, Zehren Associates, the town's consultant for landscape work. I1Pat, e tf, Commissioner Clancy questioned if the PZC was to pick a single option at tonight's meeting. Sally Vecchio stated that the preference would be that the PZC choose their preferred option and then staff will provide more detail on that plan. Commissioner Prince questioned if the decision will be made prior to a site tour. Pedro Campos discussed the history of the Main Street design and why he has been hired by the town. Pedro Campos discussed the three zones of the plan options. He further stated that Areas 1 and 2 are extremely similar in all three options. He discussed the Lettuce Shed Lane area and the proposed options. He stated the moving of the walkways up to three feet and adding of landscaping would provide a more attractive and functional connection between the transit center and Main Street. Commissioner Prince questioned the light fixture distance interval on Lake Street. Pedro Campos discussed the leveling of grades in Area 2 and the challenges of providing two exterior dining areas within close proximity. Commissioner Prince questioned the town -owned land versus private property. Justin Hildreth clarified that the town owns the land on the southeast corner of the Avon Center building all the way to the foundation. Pedro Campos further discussed the tree removal and stated some of the trees need to remain to help reduce negative visual impacts of the existing buildings. Commissioners questioned which trees Pedro Campos was talking about. Commissioner and Staff dialogue ensued regarding proposed improvements for the Avon Center building and the specific outdoor dining areas for China Garden and Ticino's restaurants. Pedro Campos moved on to discussion of Area 3. He overviewed the current striping that has occurred. Commissioner Clancy questioned if there was an issue with hotel shuttle buses using the existing transit center. Staff responded that it was a difference of opinions on if there was an issue. Commissioner and Pedro Campos discussion ensued regarding the additional concrete to be added on Concept A. Pedro Campos further stated that this option is still quite auto oriented. He began discussing Concept B and how the reduction of the traffic circle would increase the amount of landscape area and also help encourage the pedestrian use of the area. Pedro Campos discussed Concept C and how the removal of the traffic circle would create a 100 foot by 120 foot area that could benefit community gathering. He stated a further Concept D would be to increase the plaza area and remove the amount of grass area. Commissioner Prince questioned Concept D and what Pedro intended since there were no plans for that. Pedro Campos responded that there was an option if the transit drop-off was fully removed and no drop-off area was provided. Commissioner Prince questioned the long path to the Avon Center building that would result from Concept C. 21Pagc ► Commissioner Prince questioned the island in the traffic circle planting improvements in Concepts A and B. Pedro Campos stated that smaller plants and shrubs would be proposed. He anticipated landscape material that was no taller than 4 feet. Commissioner Clancy questioned the species of tree on Lettuce Shed Lane. Pedro Campos stated that a variation of Pat More Ash or Marshall Ash was proposed. Commissioner Clancy questioned the widening of the plant area proposed on Lettuce Shed Lane is ample for the plantings. Pedro Campos stated that it could be wider, but the space is sufficient. Commissioner Clancy questioned the number of light fixture proposed and if it was all placed in the east side or spread throughout Main Street. Justin Hildreth stated that the cost estimate included 12 fixtures and that Pedro proposed placing them all on the east side and along Lettuce Shed Lane and the eastern side of Main Street. Commissioner Clancy commented that the inclusion of two bus areas, within such close proximity to each other, seemed redundant and he preferred the use of the Transit Center for all bus usage with a potential small turnout for hotel shuttles. Commissioner Clancy questioned the size of the pedestrian area in Concept B. Commissioner Clancy questioned the method for entering either the Ticino's or China Garden outdoor dining area. Staff responded that the outside door was in the corner of the building and appears that the best option may be through the building, unless the outdoor spaces create a new entrance. Commissioner Green agreed with additional space between the path and the Season building along Lettuce Shed Lane. Commissioner Green stated that Concept C was his preferred option. He stated he hadn't thought of waiting for shuttles during the winter and that a new shelter may have to be constructed. Commissioner Green stated he appreciated the new connection to the US Bank building. Commissioner Green commented that a larger pedestrian plaza would be a great opportunity. Commissioner Prince stated he is in agreement with the other commissioners on areas 1 and 2. He stated that Area 3 is the key area. He stated that a 10 foot walkway in area 2 would be more beneficial. Commissioner Green stated that the goal is to create a primary area and that 15 feet would seem to be a better fit than 10 feet. Commissioner Prince stated he prefers Concept C and the removal of the repetition of the bus turnout. He stated that a focal point at the drop-off in Concept C would be helpful. He suggested art. Commissioner Prince discussed the light fixtures on Lettuce Shed Lane. He compared the auto -oriented view of the fixtures on Lake Street compared to the pedestrian -oriented view. Commissioner Green suggested that a photometric study be undertaken to ensure that ample light is produced, yet not an overabundance. Commissioner Prince wasn't sure that a photometric study was necessary and that other options existed to ensure that there isn't over lighting. 31Paae a �j Commissioner Clancy stated that if light fixtures are provided they need to be not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional at night. Commissioner Clancy agreed that Concept C was his preference. Action: No action will be taken due to the lack of a quorum. VIII. Town Center Mall — Walking Tour Description: After review of the design alternatives for Mall Improvements, the PZC will take a site tour of the Mall for reference and additional discussion. (Weather Permitting) Discussion: Sally Vecchio stated the site tour was cancelled. Action: No action is necessary on this item. IX. Other Business X. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 pm. ` APPROVAL SIGNATURES: hds Green, Chairperson I Scott Prince, Secretary 41Page