Stockbridge planning commission forwards three zoning text amendments to village council

The Village of Stockbridge Planning Commission on Sept. 15 unanimously approved and forwarded three proposed text amendments to the Village Council that revise rules on outdoor storage, site-plan approvals and freestanding signs.

At the meeting, called to order at 6:42 p.m. at 305 W. Elizabeth St., commissioners recorded the presence of Morehouse (listed by surname), Commissioner James Johnson, Commissioner Laura Loomis and Commissioner Daryl Anderson; Attorney John Gormley and the Village Manager were noted in attendance. The commission approved the meeting agenda (motion by James Johnson, second by Laura Loomis) and the Aug. 4, 2022 minutes (motion by Daryl Anderson, second by Kim).

On unfinished business, the commission discussed amendments to Secs. 6-70 and 6-262 related to storage. The record shows the commission added material-storage language, revised a line of text, and changed references from the word “outside” to the single word “outdoor.” Commissioner Daryl Anderson moved to pass a resolution with the edited text; Laura Loomis seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The resolution and revised language will be forwarded to the Village Council for consideration.

During new business the commission held a public hearing on a site-plan approval text amendment (filed as “6-45 JLG version dated Sept. 15, 2022”). The commission noted the file contains no substantive changes from a June 2, 2022 draft other than removal of redlines. Commissioner Anderson moved to forward the cleaned 6-45 file to the Village Council; Loomis seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Staff noted the document will be cleaned for formal addition to the Village ordinance.

The commission also considered a text amendment to Sec. 6-231 addressing freestanding signs in the PUB district. Commissioner Anderson proposed adding District 7 to the PUB table and limiting signage to one freestanding sign per address, while allowing the Village of Stockbridge to install and maintain signs it owns as deemed necessary by the Village Council. Anderson moved and Kim seconded; the roll-call vote was unanimous. The commission directed Attorney John Gormley to prepare a resolution to schedule a public hearing on the sign amendment for Oct. 6, 2022.

The chair provided a report on last month’s activity; there were no public comments. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:23 p.m. on a motion by James Johnson and second by Laura Loomis.

Actions at a glance: all motions described above passed unanimously and will be forwarded to the Village Council for next steps.