HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/14/05Hastings Planning Commission
March 14, 2005
Regular Meeting
7:00 pm
Vice Chair Hollenbeck called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
1.Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Hollenbeck, McInnis, Schmitt, Truax, Twedt, Zeyen.
Commissioners Absent: Greil
Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman, Associate Planner
Kris Jenson
2.Approve February 28, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Truax, seconded by Twedt to approve the minutes of
the February 28, 2005 Planning Commission as presented by Staff. Motion
passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.City of Hastings – Preliminary & Final Plat #2005-10 – Hastings Industrial
Park No. 7.
Director Hinzman requested that the Commission table the item at this time, as it
was not ready for review. Surrounding Property owners will be re-notified when
the item is rescheduled for review.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner Truax moved and Commissioner Twedt seconded the motion to
table Preliminary & Final Plat #2005-10 Hastings Industrial Park No. 7.
Upon vote taken: Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion passed.
4.City of Hastings – Ordinance Amendment #2005-18 – DC – Downtown Core
Zoning District Uses.
Director Hinzman presented background on this item.
Vice Chair Hollenbeck opened the public hearing at 7:06 pm. Hearing no
comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:07 pm.
Commissioner Schmitt clarified that the area between Hwy 61 and the railroad
tracks on 2 Street would only be permitted as retail, although a variance could
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be requested for other uses.
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Director Hinzman clarified the location of the retail only areas as well as those
areas that would permit retail/office/live units on the first floor.
Commissioner Truax indicated that he would like to see that the language
referring to four stories remain in the code along with the 47 feet and the
elevation, as a way to keep the appearance within the downtown areas
consistent. He also clarified that this code would permit buildings with 100%
residential would be permitted.
Director Hinzman stated by special use permit a building could be 100%
residential.
Commissioner Twedt questioned who had the final authority on a request such
as that.
Director Hinzman stated that the Planning Commission would review and the
City Council make a final decision.
Commissioner Schmitt suggested that 1 Street be added to Figure 2 – Street
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Types as a Downtown Street type, for clarity in future projects which may have
buildings facing the river.
Director Hinzman stated that this would be the time to make recommendations
to the City Council on issues such as this.
Vice Chair Hollenbeck added that she would like to see live units permitted
along downtown alleys, which currently just permit retail and work uses.
Commissioner Schmitt clarified that changes to the buildings use would trigger
conformance with the District Requirements.
Director Hinzman stated that was correct.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Truax seconded the motion to
recommend approval of the modifications to the DC – Downtown Core
District to the City Council, with the following additions:
1. That buildings be limited to four stories of height.
2. That live is added as a permitted use along Downtown Alleys
3. That 1 Street is added to Figure 2 – Street Types as a Downtown Street.
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Upon vote taken: Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion passed.
OTHER ACTIONS
5.Doug Erickson – Variance #2005-16 – Architectural Standards for
Construction of Accessory Building – Hastings Ford – 3625 Vermillion St.
Planner Jenson presented background on the project. The issue of the potential
request to locate the storage building within the area identified as a future right
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of way in the 2020 Comprehensive Plan was briefly raised to allow the
Commissioners to provide feedback on the issue if they so desired.
Commissioner Truax indicated that the purpose statement of the architectural
standards was the answer for this question – that pole buildings are the norm in
this area.
Commissioner Schmitt stated that this building would be looked at everyday by
those residents next to its proposed location. While he understands the need to
control costs on an item such as this, it’s not a reason to grant a variance.
Commissioner Twedt stated that he felt the last sentence of the purpose
statement “… to reduce visual monotony through variation of building
materials, heights, offsets, changes in building plane, and the like.” is a reason
not to add another metal building to the mix
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner Schmitt moved and Commissioner McInnis seconded the
motion to recommend denial of the request by Doug Erickson of Hastings
Ford to vary from the architectural standards ordinance to the City Council.
Upon vote taken: Ayes: 5, Nays: 1, Truax dissenting. Motion passed.
6.Other Business
Director Hinzman updated the Commission on recent Council actions and
upcoming Commission items.
Commissioner Truax questioned why the Planning Commission was not
consulted in the City’s decision to relocate UBC to the Industrial Park, as it was
his understanding that when the Industrial Park Board was dissolved, that those
functions would be moving to the Planning Commission.
Director Hinzman stated that while reviews of site plans, plats, and special use
permits moved to the Planning Commission, the reviews of land sales and the
like now fall under the purview of the Economic Development Commission.
7.Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm
Respectfully submitted,
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Kristine Jenson
Recording Secretary