Courthouse Area Design Review Board Special Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Courthouse Area Design Review Board met on June 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber of the LFUCG Center, with Mayor Linda Gordon presiding. The board addressed six agenda items during the meeting, including approval of previous minutes, consideration of postponements and withdrawals, review of applications for authorization permits, and a presentation on the LexLights! program. The board took three votes and heard four public comments during the session. Key outcomes included approval of the November 14, 2018 minutes, approval of a summary of staff-approved authorization permits, and adjournment of the meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on June 19, 2019:

• Linda Gordon
• Jim Duncan
• Beverly Fortune

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

Approval of November 14, 2018 Minutes 6:31 The minutes from the November 14, 2018 meeting were approved by voice vote with no abstentions.

Motion to Postpone Case No. 2-2019 (Rugged Cross, LLC.) 34:21 A motion to postpone Case No. 2-2019 concerning Rugged Cross, LLC. was made and seconded by councilmembers. The motion passed by voice vote with no abstentions. The case has been postponed to the next scheduled meeting on August 14th. An accelerated meeting may be scheduled prior to that date if proper documentation is provided.

Motion to Adjourn 35:24 A motion to adjourn was made and seconded by councilmembers. The motion passed by voice vote with no abstentions.

Public Comment

LexLights! Initiative Overview

Beverly Fortune presented an overview of the LexLights initiative, a voluntary downtown lighting project designed to improve safety, aesthetics, and pedestrian friendliness through facade and sidewalk lighting 7:34. She emphasized the need for coordination and potential future planning to avoid light pollution and ensure visual harmony.

Coordination Concerns

A councilmember expressed concern about uncoordinated variable color lighting across downtown 20:21. They suggested the need for a broader strategy to control color use and prevent visual clutter, particularly as other projects like the pedways and City Center gain momentum.

Another councilmember supported the LexLights initiative but emphasized the importance of long-term planning and coordination to maintain the uniqueness and visual impact of lighting displays 22:39. They noted that widespread use of similar lighting could diminish the distinctive effect of individual projects.

Staff Coordination and Permitting

Beverly Fortune requested that staff work with building owners to clarify permitting processes and ensure they know whom to contact 26:02. She highlighted the need for clear communication, especially for new building owners unfamiliar with the board's role in the initiative.

Contested Items

Coordination of Variable Color Lighting

A heated discussion arose regarding the uncoordinated use of color-changing LED lighting across downtown. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the visual impact of these installations, citing potential issues with visual clutter and light pollution. They called for the development of a broader strategy to maintain aesthetic continuity throughout the downtown area, indicating that the current piecemeal approach to lighting installations was creating an undesirable effect on the urban landscape.

Approval of the November 14, 2018 minutes

6:31

The minutes from the November 14, 2018 meeting were presented for approval. The minutes were approved by voice vote without opposition.

Postponements and Withdrawals

The board addressed postponements and withdrawals as the third agenda item of the meeting. 6:31

Jim Duncan presented the staff recommendation regarding Case No. 2-2019. The case was recommended for postponement due to two primary issues: the applicant was not present at the meeting, and the application documentation was incomplete.

Based on the staff recommendation, the board adopted the postponement by voice vote. Case No. 2-2019 was therefore deferred.

Applications for Authorization Permits

32:11

Jim Duncan presented Case No. 2-2019 involving Rugged Cross, LLC., which sought authorization for a permit to modify the front of a building located on North Limestone.

The applicant did not appear at the meeting. Staff noted that the application contained insufficient documentation to proceed with a decision on the permit request.

Due to the missing applicant and incomplete documentation, the board postponed consideration of this matter to August 14, 2019.

Citizen Item: LexLights! Overview

Beverly Fortune presented an overview of the LexLights initiative, a voluntary downtown lighting project designed to enhance safety, aesthetics, and the pedestrian experience in the community 7:34.

Project Components

The LexLights initiative includes several lighting enhancement projects:

• Sidewalk lighting improvements
• Facade illumination on downtown buildings
• Color-changing displays on structures including the pedways and City Center

Concerns Raised

During the presentation, concerns were raised regarding two key aspects of the project:

• Coordination of the various lighting elements across downtown
• Potential light pollution impacts

Outcome

The agenda item was presented for informational purposes, with no formal action taken at this meeting.

Summary of Staff Approved Authorization Permits

Staff reported on an authorization permit that was approved through the staff approval process. 30:27

Project Overview

The permit involved Alfalfa's request to establish a sidewalk cafe. Staff determined that the project met the criteria for staff-level approval and did not require full board review.

Key Speaker

Jim Duncan presented information regarding this authorization permit.

Outcome

The permit was approved. No formal motion was required or passed, as the project was deemed staff-approvable under the established authorization process.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, concluding the meeting. 35:24