HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20071113City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – November 13, 2007 Page 1 of 4
Hastings Planning Commission
November 13, 2007
Regular Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Chair Truax called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1.Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Hiedeman, McInnis, Schmitt, Truax, Zeyen
Commissioners Absent: Peine, Stevens
Staff Present: Associate Planner Fortney
Associate Planner Kari Barker
2.Approval of Minutes
– October 22, 2007
Motion by Schmitt to approve the October 8, 2007, meeting minutes. Seconded by
McInnis; motion passed unanimously.
Public Hearings
3.City of Hastings –
City Code Amendment #2007-52 – Adult Uses. Staff Report by Justin
REQUEST TO BE TABLED
Fortney
Action by Planning Commission:
Motion by Schmitt to table the City Code Amendment for Adult Uses. Seconded by
Hiedeman; motion passed unanimously.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried. The City Code Amendment for
Adult Uses is tabled to the November 26, 2007, Planning Commission meeting.
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4.Siewert Construction –
Preliminary Plat\Final Plat\Site Plan #2007-48 – Riverwood 10
Addition.
Associate Planner Justin Fortney gave a staff report.
Chair Truax opened the public hearing at 7:09. No members of the public spoke.
Chair Truax closed the public hearing at 7:09.
Chair Truax asked if existing driveways were going to be utilized. Associate Planner
Fortney stated that the curb cuts were surmountable, so there is no issue with the driveways.
Todd Siewert, applicant, stated that he bought into the project after it was platted. Siewert
explained that he felt the product was too dense and that he wanted additional green space.
In addition, his product did not fit the platted lots.
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Planning Commission Minutes – November 13, 2007 Page 2 of 4
Chair Truax stated his appreciation at the request to make the project less dense. Chair Truax
stated this was the first time in his six years on the Board that this request has been made.
Commissioner Schmitt asked Siewert if he will use the eighth stub for irrigation. Siewert
confirmed he will as it already exists and that the sewer will be capped off.
Chair Truax asked if there was anyway to change up the back of the building as it will be
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visible from 36 Street.
Siewert stated that the back will have decks, which will help break up the back side. In
addition, with the grading plan, the left side of the buildings will be lower than the right side.
Chair Truax responded that he was acceptable with these two things.
Commissioner McInnis asked if all the decks will have an overhang as the site plan shows
only one deck with an overhang.
Siewert stated that the middle decks will have either an overhang or a gable, though it is not
shown on the Site Plan.
Commissioner McInnis stated that his intent with having an overhang or gable is not to deter
the project, but to break up the backside of the building.
Action by Planning Commission:
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Motion by McInnis to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for Riverwood 10 Addition.
Seconded by Hiedeman.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried.
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Motion by McInnis to approve the Site Plan for Riverwood 10 Addition with an eleventh
condition to have an overhang or gable over the middle two decks in addition to the overhang
on the right side. Seconded by Schmitt.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried.
5.City of Hastings –
City Code Amendment #2007-51 – Signs.
Associate Planner Kari Barker gave a staff report.
Chair Truax opened the public hearing at 7:16. No members of the public spoke.
Chair Truax closed the public hearing at 7:16.
Commissioner Schmitt asked if this pertained to Home Occupation Signs. Associate Planner
Barker confirmed that Home Occupation Signs would be allowed up to twelve square feet.
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – November 13, 2007 Page 3 of 4
Commissioner Schmitt expressed concern that twelve square feet may be too large for Home
Occupation signs. He felt that this large of a sign may hurt neighboring property values and
become an eyesore in neighborhoods.
Associate Barker stated that it was her understanding that a differentiation could not be made
for Home Occupation signs as it related to sign content. Associate Barker stated she would
review this with the City Attorney.
Commissioner Zeyen asked how home auction or open house signs may be affected.
Associate Planner Barker stated that if the signs are in front of the home, they would be
counted as part of the twelve square feet. She further explained that if the signs are placed
around town, they cannot be in the right of way.
Chair Truax asked where the public right of way is located.
Associate Planner Fortney stated that the right of way varies with the street, but typically ten
to fifteen feet.
Chair Truax stated it may be easier to have a standardized distance from the curb that signs
cannot be placed and stated 5 feet as an example.
Associate Planner Fortney stated that while the City would like the ease of this standardized
distance, it would be difficult as there are so many variations in the public right of way.
Commissioner Schmitt stated that he would like to have the Amendment brought back for the
November 26 meeting for two reasons. The first reason is to check with the City Attorney to
see if we can regulate Home Occupation signs for sizes. The second reason is that the
Planning Commission members need more time to review the changes.
Commissioner Hiedeman stated that perhaps a differentiation can be made between
permanent and temporary signs for Home Occupation signs.
Commissioner Zeyen also requested additional modifications to the portion of the sign
ordinance relating to electronic signs, specifically having a time limit that signs must be up
before they can change. Chair Truax recommended six seconds as this was previously the
state’s guidelines.
Commissioner Zeyen also asked that the current electronic signs be reviewed to determine if
they have a dimmer switch.
Action by Planning Commission:
KatMotion by Zeyen to table the City Code Amendment for Signs. Seconded by McInnis.
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Planning Commission Minutes – November 13, 2007 Page 4 of 4
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried. The City Code Amendment for Signs
is tabled to the November 26, 2007, Planning Commission meeting.
6.
Associate Planner Barker updated the Commission on Council activities and upcoming
items.
7. Adjournment
Schmitt motioned, seconded by Hiedeman. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Kari Barker
Associate Planner