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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/09/04 Hastings Planning Commission August 9, 2004 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Chairperson Greil called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. 1.Roll Call Commissioners Present: Alongi, Greil, Hollenbeck, Twedt Commissioners Absent: McInnis, Schmitt, Truax Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman, Associate Planner Kris Jenson, Planning Intern Courtney Wiekert 2.Approve July 26, 2004 Planning Commission Meeting Motion by Commissioner Twedt, seconded by Alongi to approve the minutes of the July 26, 2004 Planning Commission as presented by staff. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.CITY OF HASTINGS – City Code Amendment #2004-43 – Accessory Structures Planner Jenson presented a brief summary on the code amendment for accessory structures. She stated the current amendment restricts older homes in Hastings who have detached garages to build a shed no larger than 120 square feet. The code amendment allows more flexibility to the older part of Hastings who has detached garages and no attached garage units. Chairman Greil opened the public hearing at 7:06 pm. Hearing no comments the public hearing was closed at 7:07 pm. Chairman Greil asked if the detached garage and storage shed could both exceed 1000 square feet. Planner Jenson clarified that the new ordinance allows for two detached structures provided the total square footage does not exceed 1000 square feet. Commissioner Alongi asked if staff was recommending changing the entire code on detached structures. Planner Jenson stated that mainly the language was changed on number 2A, the table with number, size and setbacks on accessory structures. The format of the code was being rearranged to give a clearer outline and eliminate duplication. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Hollenbeck seconded the motion to recommend approval the proposed changes to the code amendment on accessory structures to the City Council. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 4, Nays: 0. Motion passed. OTHER ACTIONS 4.Troy & Natasha Isadore – Variance #2004-45 – Sideyard Setback – 501 14 th Street West Intern Wiekert summarized the variance requests on his existing home in order to split his lot. She updated the Commissioners stating that staff did receive one comment from a neighbor regarding their concerns on the lot split. Chairman Greil asked if the neighbor was present and if he would like to make a comment to the Commissioners. Mike Little, 1409 Walnut St., stated that he just moved into the house a few months ago. He was concerned due to not receiving a letter from the city on the variance. He also was concerned on the size of the new parcel and what type of house would be built on that lot. He asked the Commissioners to do a drive by to see how narrow the lot would be. Commissioner Alongi stated he was concerned about the trees that are located along the lot lines. He believes that if a home is built on the smaller lot that a few trees would be removed. He asked if the city code has tree preservation. Director Hinzman stated tree preservation was typically in place for larger development and not for individual residence. Commissioner Twedt stated that the minimum lot size for a single family house was 7000 square feet. He asked what the dimensions and lot size of the new parcel would be. Troy Isadore, owner of 501 14 St., stated the new parcel would be about 7,800 th square feet. Planning Commission Action Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Alongi seconded the motion to recommend approval, to the City Council, on the variance for their side yard setback in order to rearrange their property boundaries with the following conditions: 1)The new house shall comply with the current setbacks of the zoning ordinance. 2)A building permit is required prior to construction of the new house. 3)Extensions of any public utilities to serve the site shall be at the sole expense of the applicant. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 4, Nays: 0. Motion passed. 5.Tom Connell – Variance #2004-46 – Frontyard Setback – 1202 Eddy Street. Intern Wiekert briefly summarized the request for the variance on the existing house in order to rearrange the property boundary. Commissioner Alongi asked for clarification on the lot adjustment. He asked why the owner did not split the lot where it was originally. Planner Jenson stated that due to the setback requirement on rear yard setbacks, the existing property line is unacceptable. Planning Commission Action Commissioner Alongi moved and Commissioner Hollenbeck seconded the motion to recommend approval, to the City Council, on the variance for the front yard setback in order to rearrange the property boundaries with the following conditions: 1)The new house shall comply with the current setbacks of the zoning ordinance. 2)A building permit is required prior to construction of the new house. 3)Extensions of any public utilities to serve the site shall be at the sole expense of the applicant. 4)One of the two accessory structures be removed from the new parcel prior to the construction of the new house. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 4, Nays: 0. Motion passed. 6.Goldridge Group – Site Plan #2004-42 – S & C Bank – 17XX North Frontage Road. Associate Planner Kris Jenson summarized the site plan for S & C Bank on North Frontage Road. The site is located in front of Wal-Mart and would be one of the first buildings to see on Highway 55 entering the city. She stated the site was originally planned for a strip center. The bank will still exceed the parking requirements. Brad Coats, Goldridge Group, stated some changes the architect has made to the site. He identified that they will include duplicating the south elevation to the west side. Commissioner Alongi asked if there was a reason the building could not be rotated, in which case the parking lot would be facing west and the building would be on the east side. Director Hinzman stated the building is placed because it would be less conflicting to the other buildings. There was no other reason for the placement of the building presently. Mr. Coats stated that it is less congested if the building is placed at this location. He clarified that people like banks they can flow through smoothly. Planning Commission Action Commissioner Hollenbeck moved and Commissioner Alongi seconded the motion to recommend approval, to the City Council, on the Site Plan for the S & C Bank the following conditions: 1)The drive-thru lane must be striped with the ability to accommodate 9 stacked vehicles in three lanes from the bank drive-thru window. 2)All waste refuse facilities must be enclosed on all four sides and be architecturally compatible with the retail center. 3)Any fencing or walls must be architecturally compatible with the retail center, subject to approval by the Planning Director. 4)All proposed lighting fixtures and poles must be compatible with existing lighting in Dakota Summit. 5)All rooftop equipment shall be screened by a parapet wall from areas facing public right-of-ways. 6)Approval of the Site Plan is subject to approval of the Grading, Drainage, Erosion Control and Utility Plans by the Public Works Director, and reimbursement for any fees involved in plan review. 7)Submission of an electronic copy of all plan sets (TIF, PDF, or similar format) prior to Certificate of Occupancy. 8)Any uncompleted site work (including landscaping) must be escrowed for prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy. 9) 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: 4, Nays: 0. Motion passed. 7.Portfolio Design Services – Site Plan #2004-41 – Little Feet Childcare – NW Corner of South Frontage Road and Westview Drive. Director Hinzman briefly summarized the site plan for Little Feet Childcare. He stated the name is changed to Stepping Stones Day Care. He summarized some concerns with the Wendy’s stacking issue on their drive-thru window. He stated he visited Wendy’s during their peak time and found the stacking was only currently about 3-4 parking stalls deep. He found there were more issues with backing and leaving the lot in the stacking area. He stated that one of the playgrounds is currently on an easement and he would work with Public Works about vacating or allowing structures to be in that easement. Dan O’Mera with Portfolio Design, handed out revised plans with the changes Director Hinzman stated. He stated they had moved the playground off the location of the utility pipe. He also removed the parking on the west end and middle of the parking lot and would stripe across the parking lot in order to slow traffic. He clarified that the front elevation does not meet the requirements with the use of brick. The reason for the amount of brick used is in case the building changes occupancy and it would be easier to modify the building. Commissioner Alongi asked if the other sides had the same percentage of brick as the front. He asked if staff was concerned with the elevations. Director Hinzman stated they were not real concerned since the building is not unsightly. The building does incorporate different materials. Mr. O’Mera stated they would be flexible to incorporate more brick on the other sides of the building. Commissioner Alongi stated he was concerned with the Wendy’s drive thru. He feels Wendy’s should do a study on their parking lot and drive thru circulation. Commissioner Twedt asked the applicant when they plan to begin construction on their building. He was concerned if they would begin construction before the Sunset Clause expired. Mr. O’Mera stated they were planning on breaking ground in September. Planning Commission Action Commissioner Hollenbeck moved and Commissioner Twedt seconded the motion to recommend approval, to the City Council, on the Site Plan for Little Feet Childcare with the following conditions: 1)A drive-thru traffic lane shall be striped at Wendy’s expense along the parking lot parallel to Westview Drive to provide further vehicle stacking without impeding parked vehicle ingress and egress. 2)A portion of the proposed parking must be designated as proof of parking for future construction is the need is warranted. 3)Any rooftop equipment must be completely screened from the front elevation, any part of the roof top equipment that is visible from any other elevation must be painted to match the building on which the equipment sits. 4)The waste enclosure must be constructed of materials that match the building, and be enclosed on all four sides with a door. 5)Permanent structures with foundations and sidewalks are prohibited within the drainage and utility easements. 6)Portable structures and a sand lot would be allowed. 7)Cyclone\chain link fences with removable sections would be allowed at the perimeter of the property, upon agreement to hold the city harmless for removal of sections if maintenance of the pipe is warranted. 8)An additional 2.5 inch Sugar Maple must be planted along South Frontage Road. 9)All landscaping and plantings shall be irrigated. 10)All trees and shrub plantings must be installed within the site visibility triangle of Westview drive, as indicated on the Landscape Plan. 11)All retaining wall materials must match existing retaining wall materials of Westview Commons. 12)An escrow account must be established to ensure completion of outstanding site improvements, including landscaping prior to certificate of occupancy. 13)All parking and drive aisle areas shall be constructed to City standards including bituminous surfacing and concrete curb and gutter. 14)All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with rooting vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems. 15)The disturbed areas of the site shall be maintained to the requirements of the City’s property maintenance ordinance. 16)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. 17)Monument signs shall be architecturally consistent with the buildings on site and incorporate similar materials into their construction. 18)Lighting must incorporate cut-off shields and be directed onto parking lot areas. 19)Submission of an electronic copy of all plan sets (TIF, PDF, or similar format) prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy. 20)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: 4, Nays: 0. Motion passed. 8.Centex Homes – Concept Plan Revision to Site Plan #2004-20 – 13 Street th West of General Sieben Drive. Director Hinzman summarized the concept plan for the Vitt property on 13 th Street west of General Sieben Drive. He stated Centex Homes is only seeking direction at this time and no approvals are requested. Matt Anfang with Centex Homes stated they had issues with South Frontage Road and lost about 20 units with this new concept plan. He identified the utility drainage with the water pump and incorporating it as an amenity to the development. Commissioner Twedt commented on the rear of the Carriage row homes. He was concerned that they were familiar to a previous site plan they recently denied. Mr. Anfang stated he would work with staff to make changes to the rear of the row houses. He stated they wanted to change the rear of the buildings to look similar to the face of the building to make it more appealing. Commissioner Greil asked the market rate of the development. Mr. Anfang stated the back-to-back houses will range from $170,000 - $180,000. The Carriage Row houses would be in the $200,000 range. 9.Other Business Director Hinzman updated the Commission on Council action from the August 2, 2004 meeting. Chairman Greil commented on the statement made at that council meeting that the Planning Commission wasn’t doing their job, and asked if others felt that way. Director Hinzman stated that he was aware of the comment but had not heard the same from anyone else on the Council. He did say that he would ask the Planning Committee of the Council in a meeting next week if there was additional information the Council would like to see in the recommendations from the Planning Commission. 10.Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm Respectfully submitted, _________________________________ Courtney Wiekert Recording Secretary