Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/07/1998

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Ordinance Sampler The following are examples of provisions for public notification of proposed rezonings. Zoning News chose them for their concise language and simple form. Despite this simplicity, the ability to provide sufficient information is not compromised. Scottsdale, Arizona. Arizona's state statute requires that municipalities notify the public of a land-use change through "standard" channels, which typically include a notice in the local newspaper, an onsite sign posting, and a first class mailing to all property owners within :300 feet of the site. To ensure that notice of the proposed land-use change is widely circulated, Scottsdale's standards exceed what is often found in local ordinances. Two legal notices are published in the local newspaper 30 and 15 days prior to the hearing. Property owners within 300 feet of the proposed rezoning site are notified at least 30 days prior to the hearing, and agendas for the hearings are posted in four public locations prior to its commencement. To guarantee public awareness of these changes, Scottsdale made effective in February ! 997 the requirement that an application sign be a four-foot-by-four-foot "cardinal" red plywood sign containing all pertinent information in language understandable to the public. The laminated sign will be erected at least 15 days prior to the hearing. Scottsdale applicants are NOTICE QF.~ROPOSED LAND USE ACTIO~ AlJdresl, ra AY KI. '___ _-~ . TOg F~ ~E AND APPROX~ ~ ~ ~ ~ · , -,L ~ ' . ~la. Notification is thwarted if the sign is not properly maintained, as with this notice ora proposed land-use action in Seattk. provided with specifications as to its design, including the six- inch size of the lettering, textual requirements such as the date, place, and time of the hearing, and the name and phone number of the applicant. The applicant is responsible for the cost of the sign and for arrangements to have it installed. He or she is also obliged to sign an affidavit verifying that the sign has been posted. The affidavit is returned to the community development department with a photograph of the sign and a copy of the signed contract with a sign vendor approved by the city. Scotudale's larger red signs replaced those that were considerably smaller and less weather-resistant. Improved visibility to passing motorists is instrumental in reaching a wider public, a standard that appears to be paying dividends. The signs have resulted in increased attendance at Scottsdale's public hearings. Scottsdale's community development department goes one step further to keep the public abreast of local issues by offering a "site posting hot line." The objective of this telephone sen'ice is to keep residents informed about zoning changes. The success of Scottsdale's hotline and other methods of effectively reporting land- use changes lies not only in service creatMty, but in the user- friendly nature and simplicity of the zoning text as well. Complicated language is largely avoided in the Scottsdale code. Mesa, Arizona. Mesa requires the applicant to post the notification of a land-use change at his or her own cost, 14 days before the planning and zoning board meeting. Local standards require that the sign measure four feet by four feet when the land-use change involves parcels of 10 acres or more. The color scheme must be white with one to four-inch black letters and prominent enough to be visible to passing motorists. Although providing the sign is voluntary for the developer, Mesa planner Gordon Sheffield says that cooperation is never a problem. The developer is also responsible for removing the sign seven days after the city council meeting. To discourage wastefulness, the planning department recommends that the signs be recycled to other applicants whenever possible. Mesa applicants are responsible for drafting a letter to all property owners within 300 square feet of the site. The first- class mailing should include an 8-by-I 1 inch photograph of the site plan. The planning and community development department provides a sample letter and sign placement map as well as detailed design guidelines for the sign. These requirements are not established by ordinance but are a matter of policy set by the local legislative body, and to deviate from these requirements is grounds for continuation of the case until they are met. Seattle, Washington. Seattle's notification procedures differ slightly from usual practices. Notice ora proposed land-use action is issued in the city's Land-Use Information Bulletin. Although the publication is not in general circulation, it is widely distributed to community groups and to land-use lawyers in the Seattle region. The information is also posted on a web site visited by businesses, activist groups, and individuals interested in Seattle's land-use issues. To contain costs, a random mailing of notices is conducted for property owners within 300 feet of the site. Each notice is sent out by the planning department, but the applicant pays for the cost of postage through application fees. Applicants are also responsible for the costs of the onsite sign, which must be eight feet by four feet in size, made of white plastic, and inscribed with black vinyl lettering. The sign contains a drawing of the site map, the site's address, the name and phone number of the applicant, and a description and project number of the pro- posed development. A municipal telephone number is also provided for interested persons to call with questions. Seattle requires that the signs draw the attention of both local motorists and individuals from outside the neighborhood who may not be familiar with the area. The city contracts with a local sign company to produce the signs and charges the applicant a nominal fee of $295. Bellevue, Washington. Bellevue's notification is posted in a general circulation newspaper 14 days before a hearing. Property owners within 200 feet of project sites are sent the notification, which contairis a complete description of the project and its location. Neighborhood groups, community clubs, or other citizen groups with a stake in local land-use actions also receive notice of the impending change. Onsite signs are the responsibility of the developer and must also be in place 14 days before a hearing. Subsequent removal of the signs is required within seven days after a decision is reached over the land-use change. Bellevue's regulations specify a four- foot-by-four-foot sign that is double-sided and visible from the street. The applicant must also file a "certificate of installation" with the city as proof that the sign has been correctly installed.