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Home My WebLink AboutPCMinutes-20070625City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – June 25, 2007 Page 1 of 4 Hastings Planning Commission June 25, 2007 Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Acting Chair Schmitt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1.Roll Call Commissioners Present: Hiedeman, Peine, Schmitt, Stevens, Zeyen Commissioners Absent: Truax, McInnis, Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman Associate Planner Kari Barker 2.Approval of Minutes – June 11, 2007 Motion by Hiedeman to approve the June 11, 2007, meeting minutes. Seconded by Stevens; motion passed unanimously. Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously. Public Hearings 3.Saunders, Curt – Special Use Permit #2007-23 – Operate a Marina in Floodway District – Spiral View Drive – Washington County. Associate Planner Barker gave a staff report. Acting Chair Schmitt opened the public hearing at 7:03. No members of the public spoke to the issue. Acting Chair Schmitt closed the public hearing at 7:03. Commissioner Zeyen asked for clarification regarding the commission’s action. Associate Planner Barker stated staff wanted any feedback or concerns from the Planning Commission prior to the DNR process, as this process is both time consuming and expensive. Commissioner Stevens inquired into the fill on the property. Associate Planner Barker clarified that the applicant was proposing to bring fill in for the parking lot and also remove some concrete that was on the property. Commissioner Stevens questioned the need for dredging on the property. Associate Planner Barker stated that the dredging would be reviewed by the DNR. Commissioner Schmitt stated that the numerous outstanding issues would make it difficult to make a recommendation. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – June 25, 2007 Page 2 of 4 Action by Planning Commission: Motion by Stevens to table the Special Use Permit for Curt Saunders. Seconded by Zeyen. Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously. 4.City of Hastings – Ordinance Amendment #2007-26 – Non-Conforming Signs. Planning Director Hinzman gave a staff report. Acting Chair Schmitt opened the public hearing at 7:08. No members of the public spoke to the issue. Acting Chair Schmitt closed the public hearing at 7:08. Action by Planning Commission: Motion by Hiedeman to approve the Ordinance Amendment for Non-Conforming Signs. Acting Chair Schmitt read the Ordinance Amendment. Seconded by Stevens. Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously. OTHER ACTIONS st 5.Siewert Construction – Site Plan Review #2007-27 – Apartment Building – 31 Street & County Road 47. Planning Director Hinzman gave a staff report. Acting Chair Schmitt opened the floor to the public at 7:16. Approximately 25-30 people were in attendance. Tom Cherney, 3532 Greten Lane, spoke to the issue. His concerns included the plans for an apartment building were approved in the early 1990’s and that times have changed. These changes include a large amount of existing townhomes. Cherney requested that the density be re-approved with the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. He stated his desire was balanced housing within the community. In addition, Cherney expressed concern over traffic levels. Acting Chair Schmitt emphasized that the issue before the Planning Commission was the Site Plan, not the zoning or density of the site. Commissioner Stevens asked if there were any height restrictions in reference to the previously approved building being three-stories and the new building four-stories. Planning Director Hinzman stated that increased meets setback requirements. Commissioner Stevens stated it was unusual to see parking at-grade. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the parking level was due to water table issues. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – June 25, 2007 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Stevens inquired if the road into the parking lot interfered with drainage. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the road into the parking lot was reviewed by City Engineers and was the best location as it provided adequate stacking distance from 47. The preference was to focus on stacking distance over drainage issues. Acting Chair Schmitt asked how much taller the current building was than the previous building. Dave Harris, representative of the developer, stated it was one story higher or about ten feet due to the parking garage. Acting Chair Schmitt asked for clarification on what side of the building was considered the front. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the way the ordinance read all four sides were considered the front of the building. st Commissioner Zeyen inquired if there was public parking on 31 Street. Members of the st audience confirmed there was not parking on 31 Street. Commissioner Zeyen asked if there was overflow parking for guests. Planning Director stated that the parking requirement was 2 stalls per unit, which the developer met. Any additional stalls would not be required by the city. th Shelley Hughes, 918 36 Street W, asked if any additional traffic studies had been completed. She stated that the current levels of traffic were busy. In addition, she stated it was already difficult getting on and off 47. Hughes also inquired about open space and sightline issues in reference to the height of the building. th Tony Trezza, 902 36 Street W, stated his two issues. The first issue was declining property values. He stated that the townhomes were already an issue and the apartments would also have a negative affect on property values. Trezza’s second issue was the excessive speeds on roads in the area. Kerry Iliff, 3577 Greten Lane, stated that condos are different than apartments. She further stated that the buildings may look pretty today, but that they would not in ten years. Iliff stated that rental properties bring forth different issues as they are rental properties. Commissioner Stevens asked about any proposed traffic lights. Planning Director Hinzman stated that he was not aware of any and that the roads were considered collector roads. Commissioner Peine inquired if the developer could alter the plans from condos to apartments without any additional steps. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the City can regulate land use, but cannot regulate ownership. Commissioner Zeyen questioned if the road could handle the traffic. Planning Director Hinzman confirmed it was designed as a collector road. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – June 25, 2007 Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Hiedeman asked why there was only one access to the apartment building. Planning Director Hinzman stated it was due to the proximity to 47. Commissioner Schmitt questioned if the 28 foot entrance was wide enough for emergency vehicles. This was confirmed as adequate by Planning Director Hinzman. Todd Siewert, developer, also spoke to the issue. Siewert stated he designed a building to make people proud and stressed he lived in Hastings. He further stated that there was a need for affordable, quality housing in Hastings as the last apartments were built in the late 1970’s. Siewert stated that the apartments would be property managed with on-site management. He also stated that if the market warranted, the units could be converted back to condos as they will be built with similar amenities as condos. Commissioner Hiedeman inquired if Siewert would maintain ownership. Siewert confirmed he would. Action by Planning Commission: Motion by Heideman to approve the Site Plan Review for Siewert Construction. Seconded by Stevens. Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously. 6.Other business Planning Director Hinzman updated the Commission on previous Council activities and upcoming agenda items. 7.Adjournment Zeyen motioned, seconded by Peine. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Kari Barker Associate Planner