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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/11/04 Hastings Planning Commission October 11, 2004 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Chairman Greil called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 1.Roll Call Commissioners Present: Alongi, Hollenbeck, McInnis, Truax, Twedt Commissioners Absent: Greil, Schmitt Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman, HRA Director John Grossman, Planning Associate Kris Jenson, Planning Intern Courtney Wiekert 2.Approve September 27, 2004 Planning Commission Meeting Motion by Commissioner Truax, seconded by Twedt to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2004 Planning Commission as presented by staff. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING 3.City of Hastings – Minor Subdivision #2004-56 – Subdivide an Industrial lot into two parcels – SW Corner of Spiral Blvd and Enterprise Drive. Planner Jenson briefly summarized the request to subdivide the lot in the Industrial Park. She stated this subdivision is for the site plan of Westview Packaging. Vice Chair Hollenbeck opened the public hearing at 7:02 pm. With no comments heard, the public hearing was closed at 7:03 pm. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Truax moved and Commissioner Alongi seconded the motion to recommend approval of the Minor Subdivision of Lot 1, Block 3, Hastings Industrial Park No. 3, to the City Council, with the following conditions. 1)That 10’ drainage and utility easements are added on each side of the newly created property line, as well as along the entire length of the south property line. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 5, Nays: 0. Motion passed. 2 OTHER ACTIONS 4.Westview Packaging – Site Plan #2004-54 – Construction of a 68,000 s. f. Warehouse building – SW Corner of Spiral Blvd and Enterprise Drive. Planner Jenson briefly summarized the site plan review to construct a 68,000 s. f. Warehouse building for Westview Packaging. Commissioner Twedt asked what the parking lot lighting requirements are on industrial park locations. He asked if any employees would be at the warehouse after hours. Director Hinzman stated that there are no requirements for lighting out in the parking lots for the industrial park. He stated that illumination in parking lots is generally required in commercial districts or multi-residential development. Commissioner Truax stated that he is concerned about the color elevations on the building. Has asked, if the Commissioners wish to make a motion should they add the condition on the colored elevations. Craig Olson, the engineer for Westview Packaging, stated the building would be made of concrete and the paint on the building would be textured paint. He clarified that he would work with staff to ensure they are satisfied with the elevation of the building and meet zoning requirements. Director Hinzman stated the concrete building does meet the class 2 architectural elevations. The applicants would need to provide the textured paint and providing breaks of the building at least every 100 feet. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Alongi seconded the motion to recommend approval of the Site Plan Review to construct a 68,000 s. f. Warehouse building on the SW Corner of Spiral Blvd and Enterprise Drive, to the City Council, with the following conditions. 1)Adherence to the Site Plan, Landscape Plan, and Architectural Elevations as presented to the City Council. 2)All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with rooting vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems. 3)The disturbed areas of the site shall be maintained to the requirements of the City’s property maintenance ordinance. 4)Final approval of the development grading and utility plans by the City of Hastings. The applicant shall be liable for any costs involved in consultant review of the plans. 5)All rooftop equipment shall be screened by a parapet wall from areas facing a public right-of-way, and painted to match the building elsewhere. 3 6) All waste enclosures shall be enclosed on all four sides to fully screen the contents, and constructed with exterior materials to match the primary building. 7)All parking and drive aisle areas shall be constructed to city standards including concrete curb and bituminous surfacing. 8)The sizes, species, and method of installation for all landscaping must be identified. 9)All landscaped areas must be irrigated. 10)A photometric plan for any parking lot lighting must be submitted for approval by the Planning Director prior to installation. 11)Any uncompleted site work (including landscaping) must be escrowed at 125 percent of the estimated value prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy. 12)Submission of an electronic copy of all plan sets (TIF, PDF, or similar format) prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy. 13) Any signage on the site is required to obtain a sign permit from the Planning Department prior to being erected on site. 14) Approval is subject to a one year Sunset Clause; if significant progress is not made towards construction of the proposal within one year of City Council approval, the approval is null and void. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 5, Nays: 0. Motion passed. 5.Plastic Printers – Site Plan #2004-52 – Construction of an 8,700 s. f. addition to an existing building – 2750 Millard Avenue. Intern Wiekert summarized the site plan for Plastic Printers. She stated that Jerry Perkins, the architect, and the owners of Plastic Printers were also present for any additional questions. Commissioner Truax asked why another entrance is not included on Millard Avenue for easier truck access. Director Hinzman stated that this was the plans the applicant submitted and it could have been the applicants desire to just have the current access into the building. Luke Lingle, owner of Plastic Printers, stated the company only utilizes large trucks about twice a year. He stated the largest trucks are the UPS trucks or maybe a fork lift. He clarified that they have not identified anyone for leasing the space and was looking for businesses with maybe 1-3 employees. The company doesn’t want to have tenants with a lot of employees. 4 Commissioner Alongi asked about the outstanding items and if it was because the applicant or staff was not given enough time to put the site plan together. Has asked if the Commissioners should table the items or if it can be passed onto the Council. Director Hinzman stated that it could be a number of reasons for the outstanding items. The applicant would have to address these items before it is presented to the council. Commissioner Twedt was concerned why this development had more appealing architecture elevations and the first applicant did not have nearly this much architecture. He stated that these two sites were like night and day and they were both in the industrial park. Commissioner Truax agreed with Commissioner Twedt and stated he was concerned on how the Commissioners should measure their decisions. He asked if the Commissioners should deny a plan if they do not meet the architectural standards. Director Hinzman stated that the applicant presented this building to staff. He clarified that this property also has two sides facing the street fronts, which would require them to have more architectural requirements. He clarified that the applicant did exceed the architectural standards. Mr. Lingle asked the Commissioners if he could reduce the architecture to meet the standards since he is exceeding the standards at this time. Director Hinzman stated that he would be able to reduce the architecture; however, the drawings would be needed before the City Council meeting. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Alongi moved and Commissioner Twedt seconded the motion to recommend approval of the Site Plan Review to construct an 8,700 s. f. addition on 2750 Millard Avenue, to the City Council, with the following conditions. 1.The location and exterior elevations for a waste enclosure building must be submitted. 2.Identify if buildings will be leased to determine adequate parking and use separation. 3.All revisions must include 5 full size and 10 reduced size copies of both building plans and site plan. Revisions must be received by the Planning Department no later than end of business Wednesday, October 13 prior th to City Council Action. 4.Stripe the area where loading will need maneuvering access where parking stalls could be utilized. 5 5.Prohibit allowing on-street parking in order accommodate new businesses to lease the additional space. 6.Buildings may need to be sprinkled as determined by the Building Official. 7.The façade of the existing building be similar to the new addition. 8.The trees are at least 2-2 ½” in diameter at planting. 9.No trees and shrubs shall be placed within the drainage ditch. 10.No trees shall be planted over utility pipes. 11.Method of installation for all landscaping must be identified. 12.All landscaped areas must be irrigated. 13.A photometric plan for any parking lot lighting must be submitted for approval by the Planning Director prior to installation. 14.Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control plan and Utility plan must be obtained and approved by the Public Works Director. 15.Dedication of drainage and utility easement at the request of the Public Works Director. 16.Any uncompleted site work (including landscaping) must be escrowed at 125 percent of the estimated value prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy. 17.Submission of an electronic copy of all plan sets (TIF, PDF, or similar format) prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy. 18.Any signage on the site is required to obtain a sign permit from the Planning Department prior to being erected on site. 19.Approval is subject to a one year Sunset Clause; if significant progress is not made towards construction of the proposal within one year of City Council approval, the approval is null and void. 20.Waste disposal can be located either indoors or outside. If waste is outdoors, waste enclosures must be constructed to conform with building elevations. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 5, Nays: 0. Motion passed. 6.City of Hastings – TIF Plan Review #2004-58 – Downtown Redevelopment of HRA Properties. Director Hinzman provided background information and summarized the request to create a new TIF district and introduced John Grossman who would also be able to answer questions on TIF. 6 Commissioner Alongi asked to clarify if the small area was also the TIF district and if the Commissioners are voting to create a new TIF district. He wanted to clarify if this was a two part review. Director Hinzman stated they are setting up the boundaries for a TIF district and not all the lots in the boundaries will be using TIF funds. Future reviews will determine if each lot is qualified for TIF funds. Director Grossman stated the existing district boundaries are set to expire in 2006. The new areas are identified for redevelopment and when the original boundaries expire they will not benefit current properties. Commissioner Truax asked why the original boundaries could not stay the same. Director Grossman stated there are stricter rules on TIF projects. He stated that SEH was hired to ensure there was compliance with state laws. Director Hinzman clarified that improvements have happened in that area already. Commissioner Twedt asked if the substation would be relocated. Director Grossman stated there is a study currently in progress on relocating the substation and it would not be completed until January 2005. Commissioner Traux asked if they would need to two motions. Director Hinzman stated that they would need two motions. Commissioner Alongi asked how the businesses in the new TIF district felt about being within the boundaries. Director Grossman stated that there was one person in the orange boundaries who did not want anyone to investigate his property during the study. All other business owners were “ok” with the study and the TIF boundaries. Director Grossman stated that they are not affected by the taxes at this point. Commissioner Alongi stated he was concerned if the businesses did not want to be in the process of a TIF project. Director Grossman clarified that TIF would allow them financial assistance. Commissioner Truax stated that TIF does not raise taxes, but the differences can be used to construct competition. Director Grossman clarified that increment is gained on new construction. Director Hinzman stated that TIF is used when a development would have excessive costs and it is to help equalize the cost on development. Planning Commission Action: 7 Commissioner Alongi moved and Commissioner Twedt seconded the motion to recommend approval of the inclusion of additional properties to the downtown project area, to the City Council, with the following conditions. 1.Property owners are contacted to make them aware of the inclusion for Tax Increment Finance (TIF). Upon vote taken: Ayes: 5, Nays: 0. Motion passed. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Alongi seconded the motion to recommend approval of the creation of a new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to the City Council. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 5, Nays: 0. Motion passed. 7.Sherman Associates – Master Downtown Plan Review #2004-57 – Downtown Redevelopment of HRA Properties. Director Hinzman provided background on the updates made on downtown development project and introduced the Developer. He clarified that this is only for comments and there would be no motions made for this item. Commissioner Twedt asked if the deck addition was exterior dining and for clarification on the 5,000 s. f. restaurants if the total seating was 120 persons. He asked if the restaurant was the anchor for the downtown. Loren Brueggemann, with Sherman Associates, stated that they are trying to move forward with the development agreement and then search out restaurants and banquet facilities. Commissioner Twedt asked if Sherman has met with the Abdo group. He wanted assurance that all interested groups are providing updates on the downtown development. He feels it is important that all groups are involved. Mr. Brueggemann stated they have met with the Abdo group and the most recent time was about two weeks ago. Director Hinzman stated that staff has also met with both Sherman and Abdo with updates on the downtown project. Director Grossman stated that Sherman has met with the staff a number of times to work on the master plan and agreement. Staff has also met with Abdo, but Block 2 is not as far along in the development process. Commissioner Twedt asked if the downtown Business Associations and other groups met with HPC, committees, etc. and if everyone has had a chance to comment on the downtown project. 8 Director Grossman stated that every group has been asked on their thoughts with the downtown and they have held about 10 meetings and hearings since January. Minutes from all the meetings have been shared among the groups and advisory groups looks over all committees, commissioners, etc. Commissioner Alongi stated the public meetings have been great and they have been open and everyone is allowed to comment. However, he has not seen the minutes put together which he feels would be a good idea. Commissioner Twedt commented that at the time of construction, he hopes that everyone is happy and knowledgeable of what is being done. He asked if there was anyone who had questions, what they could do to get answers. Director Grossman stated that a public hearing on TIF will be held at the City Council meeting next week. The site plan for each component of the development will go through Planning Commissioner and City Council with detailed drawings. Residence of Hastings can call, write, email city hall if they have any questions on the downtown project. Commissioner Alongi asked how the city was leveling the playing field by using TIF in this situation. Director Grossman stated that TIF will assemble ownership of properties. He stated that additional utilities, including water supply are needed for the proposed uses. Looping water mains in this area would also be needed. The number of public utility easements, environmental conditions, parking conditions and bed rock conditions are additional costs for developers to overcome. TIF is used to reduce these costs. Commissioner Alongi asked about the changes in parking on site. Mr. Brueggemann stated that they reduced the building on the south side of 2 nd and gained some parking there. With the changes, parking was reduced slightly for retail space. Commissioner Alongi asked about the condominiums. Mr. Brueggemann stated that it stayed the same, each building meets its required parking numbers. Commissioner Truax asked if the parking under the new deck/roof was shared parking. Jay Nelson, the architect with Sherman Associates, stated that it was not shared parking. It was for condo use only. It was to help reduce any need for condominium residence from parking on the streets. Commissioner Alongi stated he felt the condominiums are maximizing the view of the downtown. He stated the retail on the south of 2 Street has reduced and nd the retail on Block 1 has stayed the same, but the restaurant has increased; however, the parking has reduced. He stated the destination point must be in 9 plans at concept plan and not until after concept plans are approved. He felt Sherman should open the process to any restaurant or banquet facility interested, so it is known when the plans go through Planning Commission and Council. The Heart of Hastings plan did a good job, but the residence amended the plan and it doesn’t mean it will be accepted. He felt these plans do not get us to where we should be. Commissioner Twedt stated he read a goal from the Heart of Hastings Plan and feels this proposal does not meet the plan. Commissioner McInnis asked what the proposed phasing plans are and the intensions for the study areas. Mr. Brueggemann stated that Block 3 was originally going to be the starting of the project. Based on more studies they changed the phases to start with Block 1. He stated the market study helped shape the proposed plans as well as public meetings. He clarified that TIF is not helping the development of the condominiums; it is actually helping the development of the restaurant, gazebo, esplanade, etc. Study showed that a smaller restaurant would have an $800,000 difference and TIF can help make the difference. A large scale restaurant would need 450 parking spaces, but the downtown does not have the space for it. He stated block 2 will have a challenge providing their own parking, not to include the spaces for a 20,000 square foot restaurant. He clarified that they are starting with the 28 unit condo building to generate funds and typically TIF takes about 2 years to generate. The restaurant would be the second building constructed, however, he does not know who that would be. He stated they need TIF in order to construct the restaurant building. He stated the third to develop is the north side of 2 Street and the south side would be last. He clarified that the study nd area shown on the map would stay as parking lot as a reliever to Block 1 at this time. Block 4, which is the substation, is a TIF consumer. Commissioner McInnis asked if the study areas on Block 3 and 4 is to help during the construction then if the substation is moved the parking should not be an issue. Commissioner Twedt asked about the parking structure on Block 16. Mr. Brueggemann stated there is a possibility for transit funds, either via commuter rail or bussing. Commissioner Twedt asked if the parking ramps could be revenue producing. Mr. Brueggemann stated that it would not be a good idea to meter or charge for parking in Hastings. It may prevent people from visiting downtown. He stated it is expensive to build, maintain and operate a parking ramp. Commissioner Truax stated that he appreciates the round about being taken out on Tyler Street. He asked about the study areas and who was doing the study on block 3. 10 Mr. Brueggemann stated that Sherman Associates are doing the study on Block 3 & 4. He stated there is a possibility the substation could be relocated. Commission Truax stated he was concerned the parking for the Legion may be reduced. He mentioned the Downtown Advisory Committee and how he has not seen anything come to Planning Commission from that group. He stated that he just recently learned about all these different committees and groups for the downtown project and that some people are very intimidated by the process. He stated he talked with Shawn Moynihan about a referendum, but they are only for bonds. He stated his concern on parking shortage and that it can’t have a shortage. He commented using Block 3 for parking now is fine, however, what happens when Block 3 is developed. Would Ahern’s group have to place all the parking on their block? Director Hinzman stated the city is wearing hats of regulator and developer. The Planning Commission is seen as regulators. Up to this point, the plans shown have been conceptual plans and now plans are moving to be more final and reality. Commissioner Alongi stated he was concerned if Planning Commission waits until there’s a block by block review and by one of the last blocks to review there ends up being a parking issue. Vice Chair Hollenbeck stated that she feels Sherman’s plan is extending what already exists downtown. She feels that the current downtown has existed for over 100 years and feels the plan would be a great addition. 8.Other Business Director Hinzman updated the Commission on Council action from the October 4, 2004 meeting. He stated that there have not been any new items presented to staff and the October 25 meeting may be canceled. 9.Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm Respectfully submitted, _________________________________ Kristine Jenson Recording Secretary