09/21/1999 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9/21/99 was a sound idea, there was some concern with the procedure that was proposed in F the ordinance. Specifically, Finance Director Copfer suggested using an approach used in other communities which involved using the resources of RITA. She indicated there was some measure of success in those other communities in accomplishing the goal of improving collection of taxes. This approach would increase the ability to ensure that we were receiving our maximum collection of revenue in the city via a reporting scheme, albeit different than the scheme that was proposed. After discussion, the committee agreed to hold the matter in committee until the alternative approach could be re-worked. • Ordinance 99-126, "An ordinance creating a new Chapter 177 of the City Administrative Code entitled `Department of Planning' in order to establish a Department of Planning for the City of North Olmsted and to create the position of Director of Planning." This was reviewed by the Intra-Governmental Relations and Legislation; Long-Range Planning Committee as well. As the sponsor of the ordinance, the origin for his position was rooted in his observations of how the present development scheme works in the city when a proposal comes forward to redevelop an area or in fact develop an area for the first time. It was his suggestion at the committee meeting that there was at this point in time very little communication, if any, between the various boards and commissions in the city and the Building, Zoning and Development Committee of Council. There are several branches. Often times, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing unless it goes out of its way to find out, which sometimes is not an easy process. He believes that this process and the way it developed resulted in somewhat of a disorganized and disjointed development along the Lorain Road corridor that was less harmonious and not consistent with orderly and aesthetically pleasing development. The position of Director of Planning, as proposed, would confer duties upon the positions which would include attending meetings and providing staff support for the city's Planning Commission, attending the Board of Zoning Appeals and Architectural Review Board meetings as well as providing support staff for them, performing site plan review, analyzing and preparing technical planning reports for the city, preparing zoning and planning regulations updates for the city Planning Commission and City Council and in general assisting the public with questions regarding development. In preparing the ordinance, he discussed the benefits of the position with long-time North Olmsted resident and Westlake city planner Robert Perry. Mr. Perry explained that, although the city was substantially developed, that there still were significant tracts of land on the west end of town that were not yet developed. Furthermore, there would certainly be redevelopment in the near future as there has been in the recent past. Mr. Perry explained the importance of ensuring orderly growth, managed growth and of ensuring high architectural standards to avoid what he characterized as stagnation. Other communities that had planning departments were discussed, including Lakewood and Shaker Heights. Several Council members at that time said that they were concerned with the creation of a Department of Planning for the City of North Olmsted and believed that perhaps alternate approaches should be pursued before that department is created. Some Council members agreed that it was simply not necessary. Some agreed that perhaps an alternative approach could be employed first. However, there were four members of Council who believed the City of North 7