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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20090713 City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – July 13, 2009 Page 1 of 5 Hastings Planning Commission July 13, 2009 Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Vice Chair Zeyen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call 1. Commissioners Present: McInnis, Peine, Slaten, Stevens, Vaughn, Zeyen, Bullington Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Planning Director Hinzman, Associate Planner Fortney Elect Planning Commission Chair 2. Motion by Commissioner Slaten to elect McInnis as Planning Commission Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Peine Upon vote taken, Ayes 7, Nays 0. Motion carried. Chair McInnis continued the meeting. Approval of Minutes 3. –June 22, 2009 Motion by Commissioner Zeyen to approve the June 22, 2009 meeting minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Stevens. Upon vote taken, Ayes 7, Nays 0. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS City of Hastings – Ordinance Amendment #2009-14 – Allow Chickens in the PI Zoning 4. District. Associate Planner Fortney provided the staff report. Staff has prepared a draft ordinance for keeping of chickens in the PI Zoning District and certain residential districts. Chair McInnis opened the public hearing at 7:06. nd Heidi Langenfeld, resident of 500 West 2 Street and representative of the LeDuc Historic Estate expressed the desire to have chickens as part of the historic re-creation at LeDuc. rd Vicky Pasch, future resident of 510 West 3 Street stated she’s kept chickens in the past, and has found it enjoyable and has used it as a tool to teach kids responsibility. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – July 13, 2009 Page 2 of 5 Tim Lowing, resident of 1187 Western Court stated he and his neighbor would like to keep chickens. He presented findings of other ordinances regulating keeping of chickens. Mr. Lowing expressed the desire to reduce the notification distance of 350 feet, and sought clarification on licensing and enclosures. rd Nancy Moe, resident of 719 West 3 Street stated her interest in keeping chickens and support of the ordinance. She questioned why the requirements for keeping of chickens were stronger than keeping dogs or cats. Steve Theriault, resident of 108 River Street stated he supports the keeping of chickens in residential areas. He sought clarification on the inspection procedures. Chair McInnis closed the public hearing at 7:17. Commissioner Stevens questioned the notification distance of 350 feet and asked for clarification on the number of chickens allowed. Associate Planner Fortney stated single family homes could be allowed four chickens; single family homes in excess of one acre could be allowed four chickens per acre. Commissioner Slaten asked if the city could recoup costs of impounding chickens upon a violation and clarification on the time period for holding an impounded chicken. Commissioner Zeyen asked if just one chicken would be impounded upon a violation or would all chickens be impounded; could the City limit acquisition of any new chickens during an impoundment? Planning Director Hinzman stated the ordinance could be amended to reflect that change. Commissioner Zeyen asked if schools should be added to the list of permitted uses in which keeping of chickens could be allowed. Commissioner Vaughn questioned whether the proposed amendment in residential areas extends the opportunity to keep more exotic species? He supports the amendment to allow in schools and at the LeDuc Estate. Commissioner Bullington stated he agrees with Commissioner Vaughn and has concerns about keeping of chickens in residential areas. He asked how chickens are kept in cold weather; do they need to be kept inside? Will there be an odor issue? Will city staff have the resources to manage the permitting? Audience members responded that chickens can be kept in a coop year round, and that they have not experienced odor with fecal matter. Planning Director Hinzman responded that he did not foresee a problem in managing the permits. Commissioner Slaten asked if Guinea Hens would be considered a chicken. He is concerned with potential noise. Planning Director Hinzman stated he is not sure how Guinea Hens would be classified; however the noise limits would be imposed regardless. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – July 13, 2009 Page 3 of 5 Commissioner Zeyen stated he agrees with the addition of the one year probationary period to the ordinance. Commissioner Bullington asked if action on the request could be divided into two votes; one for allowing chickens in the PI district only, and one for allowing chickens in residential areas. Planning Director Hinzman stated the proposed action is a single vote; however it could be modified. Chair McInnis asked if there was a time period between revocation of a permit and reapplication. Planning Director Hinzman stated presently there is not. Planning Director Hinzman summarized the discussion of proposed amendments to the ordinance including: ? Impounding of a chicken could result in the revocation of the license. ? Include keeping of chickens as a permitted use for schools. ? Include one year probationary period. ? Clarify the inspection process. Motion by Commissioner Zeyen to recommend approval of Ordinance Amendment #2009-14 allowing keeping of chickens in certain residential and public institution zoning districts with the proposed amendments summarized by staff. Seconded by Commissioner Stevens. Commissioner Vaughn proposed a friendly amendment to the motion to limit keeping of chickens to only public institution zoning districts. The maker and seconder of the motion did not support the amendment. Upon vote taken, Ayes 5 (McInnis, Slaten, Stevens, Peine, and Zeyen); Nays 2 (Vaughn, and Bullington). Motion carried. OTHER ACTIONS McDonalds 5. – Site Plan #2009-19 – Construction of a new McDonalds Restaurant on existing site – 1340 South Frontage Road. Associate Planner Fortney provided the staff report. Chair McInnis opened the item for any public comment. No one commented. Chair McInnis asked if there were any changes to the traffic flow. Eric Kellogg of Landform Engineering (applicant’s representative) stated there is no change to the location of drive entrances. Commissioner Peine asked if bike racks would be installed. Vicky Stadther of McDonalds stated there would be bike racks. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – July 13, 2009 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Peine asked how tree save areas would be protected. Planning Director Hinzman stated tree save areas would be required to have fencing installed to the drip line prior to any equipment on site. Commissioner Bullington asked about the time frame for construction, reason for the change, and any local examples of the building type proposed. Ms. Stadther stated construction would last 14 weeks; McDonalds seeks to modernize its facilities; and a similar building was recently constructed in Farmington. Commissioner Stevens asked why staff sought a reduction in the number of parking spaces. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the most northerly parking spaces could be shown as proof of parking (for future construction if needed). Staff believed the parking would have limited use, and could be used as additional greenspace. Commissioner Peine asked if the building would be LEED certified. Ms. Stadther responded no it would not be. Commissioner Vaughn asked if the landscape plan would be reviewed by the Natural Resources and Recreation Committee (NRRC). Planning Director Hinzman stated the NRRC does not review landscape plans; however Park and Recreation staff reviews the plans. Commissioner Zeyen asked if McDonalds anticipates an increase to the number of employees on a shift, do they need all the parking. Ms. Stadther stated she did not believe the number of employees would increase. All the parking is necessary during peak times. Motion by Commissioner Vaughn to recommend approval Site Plan #2009-19 subject to the conditions of the staff report. Seconded by Commissioner Slaten. Commissioner Zeyen offered a friendly amendment to strike Condition No. 6 of the staff report, reduction of parking spaces. The amendment was accepted by the maker and seconder of the motion. Upon vote taken, Ayes 7, Nays 0. Motion carried. Other Business 6. Planning Director Hinzman provided an update on past City Council actions. Adjournment 7. Motion by Peine to adjourn the July 13, 2009, Planning Commission meeting. Seconded by Vaughn. Upon vote taken, Ayes 7, Nays 0. Motion carried. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – July 13, 2009 Page 5 of 5 The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Next Planning Commission Meeting – Monday, July 27, 2009 Respectfully submitted, ____________________________ John Hinzman Recording Secretary