Mr. Derus explained that there is a large dog with an invisible fence in the front yard right across from Harman School. He shared that he goes out of his way to avoid this location because he fears that the dog will get through the fence.

Public Hearing. Mayor Duncan introduced the public hearing for Application 19-3, which requests an amendment to the Sugar Camp/Pointe Oakwood Master Plan relating to signage.

A copy of the resolution, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Mayor Duncan explained that this resolution would amend the Sugar Camp/Pointe Oakwood Master Plan to allow for the installation of a new monument sign in front of Building B, near the corner of West Schantz Avenue and Sugar Camp Circle.

This development is in the Multi-Use Special Planning District (MUSPD). This is a special zoning district that was created in the waning years of NCR’s ownership of the Sugar Camp property, written to maximize local control over the redevelopment of the site. Regulations for the district are sparse but strict, requiring almost all development to be done via public hearings and special use permit.

When Council approved the original Master Plan in 2007, signage needs for the development were not yet known. The only Master Plan provision relating to signage authorized city staff to review and approve signs for the three entrances to the development, which occurred over a decade ago.

As the development has matured, Sugar Camp has taken on more and more tenants and Oakwood Investment Group, which owns the Sugar Camp property, wishes to replace the existing entry sign with a new sign that provides more space to list tenants. To that end, Oakwood Investment Group filed Zoning Application 19-3 to amend the Master Plan and approve a special use permit for the new sign.

The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on Application 19-3 on June 3, 2019. By a vote of 3-0, with one member absent and one member recusing himself, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the application. The matter is now before City Council on that recommendation, and a public hearing will be held on the application.

Mayor Duncan noted that although the resolution is being introduced as a resolution “to approve,” City Council is required to hold a public hearing on this proposal and has not prejudged the matter. At the conclusion of the hearing, City Council will hold a vote to approve the application, approve the application with conditions, or deny the application. If City Council decides to approve the application, City Council will adopt this resolution as-is. If City Council decides to approve the application with conditions, there is space provided on the document to write them in tonight. In the event that City Council denies the application, the resolution will be withdrawn altogether and the Law Director will be asked to prepare legislation consistent with Council’s decision to deny it.

Mr. Byington recused himself as he resides near Sugar Camp.

As a formality before opening the public hearing, it was moved by Mayor Duncan and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the resolution be presented in a public hearing and voted on after the information is presented and testimony is heard.

Mayor Duncan asked Code Enforcement Officer Ethan Kroger to present the staff report.

Mr. Kroger referenced a PowerPoint presentation and provided the following information.

An application was filed by Oakwood Investment Group (OIG) to replace an existing monument entrance sign with a slightly larger monument entrance sign at the signalized entrance of the campus at W. Schantz Avenue and Sugar Camp Circle.