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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20091109 City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes ? November 9, 2009 Page 1 of 4 Hastings Planning Commission November 9, 2009 Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Chair McInnis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call 1. Commissioners Present: Bullington, McInnis, Peine, Slaten, Stevens, Zeyen Commissioners Absent: Vaughan Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman, Associate Planner Kari Barker Approval of Minutes 2. ?October 26, 2009 Motion by Commissioner Zeyen to approve the October 26, 2009, meeting minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Slaten Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried. City of Hastings 3. ? Ordinance Amendment #2009-29 ? Amend City Code Chapter 151, Flood Plain Ordinance. Planning Director Hinzman provided the staff report. Chair McInnis opened the public hearing at 7:07. th Peter Likes, resident of 3000 East 4 Street, spoke to the issue. He inquired if the elevations would be changing from the 1965 flood levels. Likes wanted to make sure that things were not going to be imposed that would come back to affect the residents of East Hastings. Planning Director Hinzman stated that there may be elevation changes with the maps. He stated that he did not have all the information for Dakota County. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the changes he has seen with the Washington County maps show minor changes. Planning Director Hinzman further stated he would stay in contact with Mr. Likes and inform him of any elevation changes once the maps for Dakota County were received. Chair McInnis closed the public hearing at 7:10. Commissioner Stevens inquired if the proposed ordinance was based on the Minnesota Floodplain Ordinance or if it was an exact replication. Planning Director Hinzman stated it was City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes ? November 9, 2009 Page 2 of 4 based on the Ordinance as a few things were added from the City?s existing Floodplain Ordinance. Commissioner Stevens asked if the 100 year flood level was changed. Planning Director Hinzman stated it was likely to change, though there was not much of a change on the Washington County maps. Commissioner Stevens asked for clarification for the definitions of Floodway District, Floodway Fringe, and the 100 year floodway. Planning Director Hinzman explained the differences between the terms. Commission Stevens asked if the zoning map boundaries may change. Planning Director Hinzman stated the boundaries may change. Commissioner Slaten inquired if FEMA has the final say to the level. Planning Director Hinzman confirmed they do have the final say, though there is an appeal process for the City and possibly for homeowners as well. Commissioner Slaten explained that if East Hastings is affected by the changes, then insurance rates are affected. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the final maps are available for Washington County and that they need to be adopted before February 1, 2010. He stated that the same process will need to be done for the Dakota County maps. Commissioner Stevens asked how the new ordinance affects accessory structures. Planning Director Hinzman stated that any new structures that are not habitable must be able to be moved in the event of a flood. Chair McInnis inquired how this affects homeowners on the East side of Hastings. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the Ordinance allows for the continuation of nonconforming homes. This includes the maintenance and some enlargement for home built prior to 1976. Commissioner Slaten asked how much of East Hastings is in the Flood Plain. Planning Director stnd Hinzman stated that 1 Street and the north half of 2 Street are in the Flood Plain and a few houses in Washington County. Commissioner Stevens asked how they would affect the project HUBS just received approval for. Planning Director Hinzman stated that structures over the 100 year floodplain would need to be raised. Commissioner Stevens asked if anything existing was okay, to which Planning Director Hinzman confirmed. Motion by Commissioner Slaten to approve the Ordinance Amendment pertaining to Chapter 151, Flood Plain Ordinance. Seconded by Commissioner Peine. Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes ? November 9, 2009 Page 3 of 4 OTHER ACTIONS Review Accessory Structure Ordinance 4. Associate Planner Barker provided a staff report. Chair McInnis stated that it seems that Hastings? ordinance is reasonable in comparison to other cities and that there are very few of the large structures being built. Commissioner Bullington explained that his two concerns are preservation of green space and preservation of character. He stated that neighborhoods change when trees are taken down to put up large garages. Commissioner Bullington asked if adjacent neighbors could be notified when large structures are going to be built. He also stated that he was in favor of lowering the impervious surface requirements to preserve some green space. Commissioner Bullington asked if there is a policy to replace trees once they are removed. Commissioner Slated expressed his appreciation of Commissioner Bullington?s green space comments. He stated that he was in favor of lowering the imperious surface limit from 35% to 25%. Chair McInnis stated that the impervious surface requirements also count driveways. He stated that structures should be limited to 1,000 square feet and the secondary structure at 120 square feet should not be allowed. Commissioner Peine inquired if there were any landscaping requirements or screening to prevent storage behind the garages. Planning Director Hinzman stated that this was covered under Code Enforcement. Commissioner Stevens asked if an existing garage was added on to, if the Accessory Structure Ordinance applies. Planning Director Hinzman stated it did not. Commissioner Stevens asked where the rear yard started with the 35% impervious surface rule. Planning Director Hinzman state that the definition was beyond the structure and it did not need to be a defined square. Commissioner Peine stated that he did not want this to affect smaller lot homes and desired for people to still have the opportunity to have garages. Commissioner Bullington stated that he thought 35% impervious surface was excessive and that 25% would be a good limit. Chair McInnis proposed a ratio between square footage of the accessory structure and the home. Commissioner Zeyen stated that Wallin has covenants that restrict outside structures. He further stated that Rosemount has a 10% impervious surface requirement, but that it pertains to the whole yard. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes ? November 9, 2009 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Stevens inquired how driveways and decks affect the 35% impervious surface rule. Planning Director Hinzman stated that concrete driveways are part of the calculations and decks were dependent on the material used. Planning Director Hinzman recapped the discussion by stating that further research and language including changes to proportion of impervious surface calculated, tree replacement, and attached and detached garage differentiations. Commissioner Bullington asked to see potential options and Commissioner Zeyen stated he would like to see examples with lot sizes. Review Adult Use Ordinance 5. Planning Director Hinzman provided an update to the Adult Use Ordinance. No action was taken on the item. Other Business 6. Planning Director Hinzman provided an update on City Council action and upcoming agenda items. ADJOURNMENT Motion bySlaten to adjourn the November 9, 2009, Planning Commission meeting. Seconded by Bullington. Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Next Planning Commission Meeting ? Monday, November 23, 2009 Respectfully submitted, ____________________________ Kari Barker Recording Secretary