Hudson Planning Commission Special Meeting on LDC Update - January 28, 2019

The Hudson, Ohio Planning Commission held a special meeting on Monday, January 28, 2019, at 7:30 PM (called to order at 7:34 PM) at Town Hall. The primary agenda item was a continued public hearing on PC 2018-4526, the Hudson Land Development Code (LDC) 2018 Update revised redline draft. Commissioners reviewed proposed changes section by section with staff, discussed numerous amendments, and voted to continue the hearing to February 11, 2019. The meeting adjourned at 10:09 PM.

Attendance & Swearing In

• Present: Chair Robert Kagler, Vice Chair Thomas Harvie, Gregory Anglewicz, Michael Chuparkoff (4 members)
• Absent: Ron Stolle, James Vitale (2 members); one seat vacant (expected to be filled after February 5, 2019)
• City Solicitor Matthew Vazzana swore in all potential public speakers. No correspondence or public discussion was held for non-agenda items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Armbruster (6398 Stow Road) expressed appreciation for the Commission's consideration of expanded public communication but stated that the city's website still reflects the original LDC revision and does not inform the public that City Council removed the second and third parts of the update. He urged the Commission to communicate clearly and directly about the current scope, emphasizing that changes to the LDC are not mere housekeeping but significantly affect how the city addresses land and housing.

Discussion Items

• LDC 2018 Update Revised Redline Draft (PC 2018-4526) – Staff (led by City Planner Kris McMaster, with Associate Planner Nick Sugar and City Solicitor Matt Vazzana) presented proposed changes section by section. Key topics included:
  • Floodplain overlay districts (1205.14): Established consistent references to “city manager’s office.”
  • Accessory structures & fence height (1206.03): Added rule of measurement for fence height (vertical distance from natural grade to highest point) and allowed a fourth accessory structure on lots over 2.5 acres. Clarified that hot tubs/spas may be placed in side yards with reduced setbacks (no five-foot separation from the main structure, but still must maintain 15 feet from side lot lines).
  • Parking of vehicles (1206.03 G7/G8): Splitting the regulation into two: one prohibiting more than one RV parked/stored, and another prohibiting parking of more than five cars for more than seven calendar days per year. Concerns raised about enforcement and definition of “cars”; staff to consider broader term like “motor vehicles.”
  • Crematory services: Relocating accessory crematory use to conditional use standards for vet facilities, preventing standalone crematories.
  • Removed amendments: Staff proposed removing many earlier proposed changes (e.g., references to ecological integrity, plant list Appendix C, associated drives) based on Commission concerns, maintaining existing text in several sections (1207.01, 1207.02, 1207.03, 1207.04, 1207.18).
  • Parking lot landscape diagram (1207.04 L1A): Revised diagram to show 20 spaces (matching code text) instead of 30, clarifying interior vs. perimeter landscaping requirements.
  • Open space dedication (1207.05): Consolidated three categories (community park, passive open space, neighborhood parks) into a single “community park and public open space” category at 20 acres per 1,000 residents. Discussion about adding a cross-reference to district requirements.
  • Night hours (1207.08): Aligned definitions and hours of operation; changed night to 9 PM–7 AM and adjusted some areas to 9 PM–6 AM, with a note to ensure consistency with the city's general noise ordinance (648.12, which sets 10 PM–6 AM).
  • Telecommunication facilities (1207.15): Postponed due to pending FCC regulations; separate ordinance may be presented.
  • Signs (1207.92, 1207.17): Clarified that instructional signs are not exempt from all regulations; removed ideological sign definition to be content-neutral; temporary sign registration changes (residential temporary signs no longer require registration). Extensive discussion on A-frame signs: proposed permitting them in non-residential districts, with a two-foot adjacency to building walls, and requiring a license agreement (later suggested to be an application/waiver) for placement on public right-of-way. Several commissioners expressed concerns about consistency and liability.
  • Penalties (1212.02): Recommended upgrading first offense from Minor Misdemeanor (MM) to M3 and subsequent violations (within two years) to M1, consistent with property maintenance penalties. Staff noted that MM fines (capped at $100) have little deterrent effect. Discussed removing municipal civil infractions process, retaining criminal and civil remedies. Commissioner Chuparkoff questioned the process for property owners with genuine disputes; staff explained appeal and notification procedures.
  • Definitions (1213): Combined “accessory building” and “accessory structure” into one term (buildings/structures accessory), revised floor area calculations (excluding only attached garages), and updated historic district definition to be “as amended.” Removed “ideological sign” definition.
  • Side yard setbacks in District 3: Commissioner Harvie raised that many homes in existing 100-foot-lot areas may be non-conforming with the current 15-foot side setback; staff noted this would be addressed in a future residential district review.
  • Scheduling: Staff requested extension from City Council (120-day extension expires February 14, 2019). Proposed targeting completion by March 11, 2019, with possible special session on February 25. Commission agreed to continue public hearing to February 11 and schedule a working session on February 25.

Approval of Minutes

• Motion to approve the January 14, 2019 Planning Commission minutes passed unanimously (4–0).

Key Outcomes

• Vote to continue public hearing to February 11, 2019: Motion by Mr. Chuparkoff, seconded by Mr. Harvie. Passed 4–0 (all present).
• Staff directed to prepare a revised draft incorporating agreed changes, a spreadsheet of proposed changes by page/section, and to work on messaging to the public about the narrowed scope.
• Staff to review open space requirement references and side setback concerns in District 3.
• The February 11 meeting will include the 44 Clinton Street case; the LDC discussion will continue thereafter (likely special session February 25).
• Planning Commission minutes for January 14, 2019 approved unanimously.

Next Steps: Staff to prepare revised draft, publish public notice, and coordinate with City Council for an extension. The public hearing will recommence on February 11, 2019, with potential working session on February 25, 2019.