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City of Lincoln Urban Development Department
Mayor's Neighborhood Roundtable |
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Ages 16-24 transitioning into Adults
Kim Bro, HUB
regarding electronic changing message signs
Mike DeKalb, Planning
This only applies to acreage developments in the 3-mile ring outside the city; it would allow these developments to meet the same rules whether the developer uses private sewer systems on individual lots or chooses to use a "community" system for all the lots.
Marvin Krout and Mike DeKalb, Planning Dept.
Schaeffer's Appliances is moving catycorner at 48th Street and Vine Street, and they just found out that in the H2 district they are moving into, there is a stricter parking reaquiremet that they cannot meet (1 space per 200 square feet of floor area instead of 1 space per 300 in all of the other business districts, for no apparent good rason that we can determine). We are initiating a request to change the parking standard to be the same in H2 as the other districts.
Marvin Krout and Mike DeKalb, Planning Dept.
Stephen Henrichsen, Planning Dept.
Call in Agenda Items to Carol Brown at 435-8932,
Ann Harrell, Mayor's
Office, at 441-7511, or
Diana Cruz, Urban Development, at 441-7606.
| Tracy Lines, 40th & A Neigh. Assoc. | Barb Baier, Lincoln Public School Board | |
| Carol Brown, Landon's Neigh. Assoc. | Diana Cruz, Urban Development Dept. | |
| Stephen Henrichsen, Planning Dept. | Fred Freytag, Witherbee Neigh. Assoc. | |
| Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Ctr. - Mayor's Office | Craig Groat | |
| Jan Jensen, S. 48th Street Neigh. Assoc. | Joyce Jensen, Lincoln - Lanc. Co. Health Dept. | |
| Sandra Johnson, Woods Park Neigh. Assoc. | Cherie Krueger, Olsson Associates | |
| Renee Malone, Clinton Neigh. Assoc. | Bill Vocasek, West A Neigh. Assoc. | |
| Ann Harrell, Mayor's Office | Milan Wall, Heartland Center | |
| Kitty Fynbu, Irvingdale Neigh. Assoc. | Robin Eschliman, Pine Lakes Heights/City Council | |
| Kim Bro, The HUB | Mike DeKalb, Planning Dept. |
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Carol Brown, Chair, opened the meeting with introductions.
OPEN FORUM WITH MAYOR COLEEN J. SENG
Mayor Coleen J. Seng thanked everyone for attending. Mayor Seng announced the O Street street widening project, between 44th and 50th will be completed soon and O Street will be opening again. The Antelope Valley Big X project will have a ribbon cutting for it's opening celebration on August 16th.
There will be a Patriots Day Celebration on September 11th, 11:00 a.m. at Veterans Garden.
Mayor Seng also reported there are three investigations being conducted of the Fire Department, including, FBI, LPD, and Personnel.
Mayor Seng said she felt City Council were short-sighted in the budget actions they took. The cut of one-time carryover funds is a smoke screen and is not a real spending cut. The Council is seeking short-term gratification to say they made cuts, but is ignoring the consequence which may cost the City more money in the long-term. These are unused funds that the Departments have accumulated – sometimes over many years – from creating efficiencies. The funds have only been authorized to be spent for one-time expenditures that do not increase the operating budget. This is a system that has been in place since the early 1990s. The savings from this process pay for many items that would otherwise require more taxpayer dollars. By taking those carry-over funds and using them for general fund expenses for just one year, the Council will destroy a financially responsible system that has done an outstanding job of encouraging efficiencies. The Council action will return us to a very inefficient ‘spend it or lose it' process.
She also reported the City will begin mosquito spraying to prevent West Nile next week. The spraying is funded by carryover funds, which City Council has voted to cut for next year.
Craig Groat noted his concern about the ordinance allowing concealed weapons in the City.
Mayor Seng responded that City Council has drafted an amendment to the Ordinance, which Jonathan Cook will introduce at the next session.
THE HUB: CENTRAL ACCESS POINT FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Kim Bro, The Hub, provided information about programs and services which they offer to youth (see HUB.pdf attached to original minutes). Their Mission Statement is: To provide support and access to services for young adults, ages 16-24, who are disconnected from family and the community. The goal is to provide support, understanding and care to young people transitioning into adulthood as they become productive, independent, contributing, and active members of the community. They receive funding through the Juvenile Justice Program.
The Hub provides support and access to housing, employment, education, health/dental care, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment. Kim asked, if anyone knows a young adult who is experiencing barriers to any of the issues above, that they contact the HUB at 727 S. 9th Street, 471-8514.
They have just begun an in-house program, Project Hire, which is an 8-week job readiness course and 8 weeks of supervised employment. Another new program starting in October is Project H2O, which targets females and addresses legal issues, employment, education, self-esteem and self-concept.
Craig Groat commented that there has been an increase in female bullying, and asked Kim to address that issue.
Kim responded that she feels it is a huge issue, especially in high schools. Part of the Project H2O deals with this issue.
PROPOSED TEXT CHANGE TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, provided information regarding proposed text changes to the Sign Ordinance regarding electronic changing message signs . The Roundtable viewed a video by LaMar Signs of LED Billboard lighting and brightness examples.
The need for the proposed text change came to light after the Near South Neighborhood requested amendments concerning light trespass from commercial uses to residential uses. In the process of addressing that concern, the Planning Department found that the existing lighting standards were spotty, inconsistent, unenforced and antiquated. The Department stated in its report to the Planning Commission and City Council that it was appropriate to take a more comprehensive review of lighting issues in Lincoln. Items for consideration include national lighting standards, current national trends, and concerns within the city for safety, security, glare, energy conservation and a healthy nocturnal environment.
As part of this effort, the Planning Department will also create a Lighting Task Force to assist staff and the consultant in developing updated language. The Department plans to initiate this process in April-May and have a final product by the end of the summer/early fall of 2006. For further information about the status of the report, contact Mike DeKalb, Planner at mdekalb@lincoln.ne.gov or by calling the City-County Planning Department at 441-7491.
Robin Eschliman asked if Omaha has standards for LED signs. Mike responded that Omaha does not allow off-premises signs with LED's, for on-premises signs. Omaha does not have restrictions for size, brightness or animation. The technology is so new that a lot of jurisdictions have not yet looked at standards.
Craig Groat noted these electronic signs and moving messages are very distracting for drivers.
Mike DeKalb explained they began looking at electronic sign issues and sign ordinance language when the message board was put up at 48th & Vine causing safety issues. The Planning Commission is looking at restricting messages to a 10 second hold, and limiting to 5 changes per minute. They are suggesting a daytime brightness of 5000 candle watts and night time brightness of 1000 candle watts. The proposed language suggest 5,000 square feet spacing between LED billboards, and they are also proposing a 5:1 replacement ratio. Other placement restrictions in the current code would remain the same.
Jan Jensen asked about current signs. Mike DeKalb responded that current signs would be grandfathered, but brightness could be restricted.
BUILDTHROUGH AMENDMENT
Mike DeKalb also provided information on the proposed text amendment for Chapter 27.65.020. Build Through Acreage developers convinced Planning Department it would be more efficient to put in a Community Service, rather than everyone having their own individual septics. They will have licensed inspections.
Proposed Amendment 1 would amend the current text by limiting the development component to 10% of the total area of the CUP.
Proposed Amendment 2 would amend the current text by adding CUPs in the AGR Zoning District in addition to the current AG Zoning District to the amended text.
AMEND PARKING IN H2 ZONING DISTRICT
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, provided information on the proposed Amendment to Parking in the H2 Zoning District. He explained Schaeffer's Appliances is moving diagonally across the intersection to the northwest corner of 48th Street and R Street. The parking requirements in the H2 District are stricter, and, without the amendment, they would be unable to meet the requirements.
The H2 Zoning District requires 1 space per 200 square feet of floor area, while other business districts require 1 parking space per 300 square feet of floor area. There does not seem to be any reason for this difference, so Planning Department is initiating a request to change the parking standard to be the same in H2 as in other districts.
POTENTIAL TEXT AMENDMENT FOR NONSTANDARD USES IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Steve Henrichsen, Planning Department, provided information on the proposed text amendment for nonstandard uses in residential zones (see Zone06054amend.pdf attached to original minutes).
Steve explained that with a number of neighborhoods requesting downzoning, some existing homes are on lots that now have a nonstandard lot area. In some cases, an insurance company may require additional insurance on a home loan due to a house being classified as "nonstandard." Part of the goal is to preserve housing in older neighborhoods.
Part I of this proposal would revise the standards to allow existing homes to be rebuilt or vacant lots to be rebuilt with a single family home for existing homes, eliminating the "nonstandard" category.
Part II would clarify that if multiple-family residential uses made nonstandard through a downzoning were destroyed, they would retain the licensed number of units they had at the time the use was destroyed. It would also "grandfather" multiple-family units that become nonstandard based on the date of the zoning change. This would apply to all multi-family dwellings licensed at the time of the change.
Part III would add regulations in R1, R2, R3, and R4 to clarify that when a vacant lot has less lot area or lot width or both, it may be used for a single family as long as the property owner of that lot didn't also own an adjacent vacant lot. When two vacant lots, with less lot area or width or both, are adjacent and owned by the same owner, they are considered as one parcel or lot. It would also permit a two family residence on a lot, as long it is not owned in common with an adjacent vacant lot. In R5, R6, R7, and R8 similar provisions will be clarified to permit a lot with less lot area or width or both to be used for single family, two family or any non-dwelling use permitted in the district, as long as it is not owned in common with an adjacent vacant lot.
The proposed change would extend notification before downzoning. The changes will be on the Planning Commission agenda for September 14th. Hearings for the downzoning applications are scheduled for 40th & A Neighborhood on August 30th. Witherbee, Woods Park and Everett will be on the September 13th agenda.
Craig Groat commented that the City needs to tighten up standards for developers who often insert incompatible buildings in residential areas. Steve Henrichsen responded that Neighborhood Design Standards were approved in 2004 and deal with compatibility.
Fred Freytag noted that Design Standards do not address the size of the building. Steve Henrichsen responded that the standards address height and setbacks.
Lin Quenzer commented that Planning needs to look at standards for garage buildings and add-ons. Steve Henrichsen responded that new construction standards apply to new additions. If they are larger than the original building, it is then considered new construction.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Carol Brown announced on September 10th the Neighborhood Alliance is holding the 3rd annual Celebrate Neighborhoods picnic at Antelope Park and Mayor Coleen Seng will present the Neighborhood Hero Award at 2:00 p.m.
Joyce Jensen, LLCHD, announced the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be held September 9th, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Goodyear Tire and Rubber, 4021 N. 56th Street.
Cherie Krueger, East Campus Community Organization, announced that East Campus will have their neighborhood garage sale August 18th through the 20th.
ADJOURN
There being no other announcements, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Submitted by:
Diana Cruz
Urban Development Department