HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/13/05
1:&$tin3$ tfSranni1!J \;ommi$don
June 13, 2005
Regular Meeting
7:00 pm
Vice Chair Hollenbeck called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Hollenbeck, McInnis, Truax, Twedt, Zeyen.
Commissioners Absent: Greil, Schmitt.
Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman, Associate Planner
Kris Jenson, Planning Intern Cecily Schrader, Public
Works Director Tom Montgomery.
2. Approve May 23, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Truax, seconded by Commissioner Zeyen to approve
the minutes of the May 23, 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 public hearing for this item be tabled until
the civil engineering plans are complete and reviewed by Staff.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner Truax moved and Commissioner Twedt seconded the motion to
table the public hearing until the civil engineering plans are complete and
reviewed by Staff.
Motion passed unanimously upon voice vote.
4. SACC Group (Con Agra) - Special Use Permit / Site Plan #2005-23 -
Construction of a Flood Wall at ConAgra - 2005 Vermillion Street.
Director Hinzman presented background information on the project.
Vice Chair Hollenbeck opened the public hearing at 7:06 pm.
Minutes - Hastings Planning Commission
June 13, 2005 - Page 2 of 7
Paolo Sacchetti from SACC Group spoke on behalf of the applicant. He
commented that the project is already over budget since the City's consultant
engineer, John Stewart, requested a poured concrete wall instead of the modular
block design that SACC Group had originally proposed. He also expressed
concern about the additional cost that would result from the conditions for
approval listed in the Staff report, including tinting the wall, installing a fence at
the top of the wall and incorporating anchor points for use by emergency
personnel. He stated that the concrete gray of the wall without tinting should
blend into the surrounding area and would weather with time. He also
questioned the value of installing a fence at the top of the wall since the ridge
area is not accessible to the public. He also asked where such a fence would be
located. He commented that the anchor points would impose an additional cost
on the project that was umeasonable.
Commissioner McInnis asked if there is currently a barrier at the top of the wall.
He also asked why a fence would be needed in the area.
Director Hinzman commented that the ridge area does not have a fence at this
time. He stated that the fence installation was included in the Staff's conditions
for approval because there is a significant drop-off into the river from the ridge
that constitutes a public safety concern.
Mr. Sacchetti stated that there is a six foot drop at the top of the ridge and that
ConAgra installed a handrail and posts along the ridge for employee safety. He
reiterated that there is no public access to the ridge area.
Commissioner McInnis asked about the tinting of the concrete. He
acknowledged that it would be difficult for the color of the concrete wall to be
consistent with the existing building and asked if it was possible to incorporate
different shades of grey into the retaining wall.
Mr. Sacchetti commented that the concrete wall will weather and darken with
time. He stated that without tinting, the wall will have a grey undertone which
will blend in fairly well with the existing building. He reiterated that the cost of
tinting is prohibitive.
Commissioner McInnis asked if the tinting process would seal or protect the wall
ill some manner.
Mr. Sacchetti replied that the tinting process would not protect the wall. He
stated that the tinting is simply a staining process.
Director Hinzman clarified that the conditions of approval suggested by Staff do
not mandate a tinting process. Staff simply wants to ensure that there is some
degree of consistency between the existing buildings and the wall. Staff would
recommend approval as long as the wall is within the general color scheme of the
existing building.
Mr. Sacchetti commented that the form liner without tinting will suffice if all that
is needed is consistency with the existing building.
Minutes - Hastings Planning Commission
June 13,2005 - Page 3 of7
Commissioner McInnis asked about the intent of the anchor points.
Mr. Sacchetti replied that the anchor points would be used to attach a rope and
rappel down to the river to save people in danger. He also commented that the
anchor points could potentially be a liability for ConAgra if they were to fail
during a rescue. He reiterated that the anchor points would impose an
additional cost on the project.
Commissioner McInnis asked if the City Attorney could work with ConAgra to
resolve any liability issues associated with the anchor points. He added that life
should not be undermined by the cost of installing the anchor points. He then
proposed a motion to approve the Special Use Permit without requiring tinting
or installing a fence, and to approve the Site Plan with the caveat that the City
Attorney work with ConAgra on the installation of the anchor points.
Commissioner Twedt commented that the colors of the wall are not his primary
concern, but that he does want the wall to blend in with the surrounding area.
Mr. Sacchetti stated that the form liner without tinting would achieve that goal.
The plant manager at ConAgra spoke on behalf of the applicant regarding the
anchor points. He stated that 20-30 trucks make deliveries at the plant every day,
and that this traffic would interfere with any rescue attempts. He added that no
record exists that the Fire Department has ever rappelled from the ConAgra side
of the river to make a rescue. He also stated that the anchor points are quite
expensive for something that would be used rarely, if at all.
Hearing no further comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:28pm.
Commissioner Truax stated that tinting the wall is important because of the
nature path located directly across the river from the location of the proposed
wall. He stated that it is important to blend the color of the wall with the natural
area rather than with the existing building.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner McInnis moved and Commissioner Zeyen seconded the motion
to recommend approval of the Special Use Permit for the construction of a
flood wall at ConAgra to the City Council with the following conditions:
1) Adherence to Chapter 13 - Floodplain Regulations of the City Code,
including, but not limited to the conditions included below.
2) Fill shall be properly compacted and the slopes shall be properly
protected by the use of riprap, vegetative cover or other acceptable
method.
3) Floodplain development shall not adversely affect the hydraulic capacity
of the channel and adjoining flood plain of any tributary watercourse or
drainage system where a floodway or other encroachment limit has not
been specified on the Zoning Map.
Minutes - Hastings Planning Commission
June 13, 2005 - Page 4 of 7
4) Approval of the plans by the Public Works Director and reimbursement of
any review fees by the City's consultant engineer.
5) The applicant shall be responsible for obtaining any additional State and
Federal permits relating to the floodplain fill.
6) Approval is subject to a one year sunset clause. Approval is null and void
if significant work has not commenced within one year of City Council
approval.
Upon vote taken: Ayes: 5, Nays: O. Motion passed.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner McInnis moved and Commissioner Twedt seconded the motion
to recommend approval of the Site Plan for construction of a flood wall at
ConAgra to the City Council with the following conditions:
1) Approval of a Special Use Permit for placement of structures and fill
within the Floodway and Flood Fringe.
2) City Staff should work with ConAgra and their consultant to ensure that
the wall color will be compatible with the surrounding area.
3) Work with the Fire Department and the City Attorney to incorporate
anchor points for emergency personnel use.
4) All disturbed areas on the property shall be stabilized with rooting
vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems.
5) The disturbed areas of the site shall be maintained to the requirements of
the City's property maintenance ordinance.
6) 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.
7) Submission of an electronic copy of all plan sets (TIF, PDF, or similar
format) prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy.
8) Approval is subject to a one year sunset clause. Approval is null and void
if significant work has not commenced within one year of City Council
approval.
Upon vote taken: Ayes: 4, Nays: 1, Truax dissenting. Motion passed.
5. Doug Erickson - Site Plan #2005-39 - Hastings Ford Accessory Building -
3625 Vermillion Street
Planner Jenson presented background information on the project.
Minutes - Hastings Planning Commission
June 13, 2005 - Page 5 of 7
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner Truax moved and Commissioner Zeyen seconded the motion to
approve the Site Plan to construct a storage building at Hastings Ford subject
to the following conditions:
1) An escrow account must be established to ensure completion of
outstanding site improvements, including landscaping prior to
certificate of occupancy.
2) All parking and drive aisle areas shall be constructed to City standards
including bituminous surfacing and concrete curb and gutter.
3) All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with rooting
vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems.
4) The disturbed areas of the site shall be maintained to the requirements
of the City's property maintenance ordinance.
5) 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.
6) Lighting must incorporate cut-off shields and be directed onto parking
lot areas.
7) Submission of an electronic copy of the all plan sets (TIF, PDF, or
similar format) prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
8) 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: O. Motion passed.
6. City of Hastings - Site Plan #2005-35 - Public Works Salt Shed - 1225
Progress Drive.
Planner Jenson presented background information about the project.
Commissioner Truax asked if an environmental assessment is needed for this
type of project.
Director Hinzman replied that an environmental assessment is not needed for
the project.
Commissioner Twedt asked what purpose the shed would serve in the months
that salt is not needed.
Public Works Director Tom Montgomery commented that the intent of the shed
would be to store salt year-round. The Public Works Department always has salt
left over from the winter season that needs to be covered throughout the year.
Minutes - Hastings Planning Commission
June 13, 2005 - Page 6 of 7
He also stated that the Public Works Department will be making other
improvements to the site during the construction of the salt shed.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner McInnis moved and Commissioner Truax seconded the motion
to approve the Site Plan for the construction of a salt shed at the Public Works
Facility to the City Council with the following conditions:
1) All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with rooting
vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems.
2) The disturbed areas of the site shall be maintained to the requirements of
the City's property maintenance ordinance.
3) Lighting must incorporate cut-off shields and be directed onto parking lot
areas.
4) 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: o. Motion passed.
7. James McNamara - Variance #2005-40 - Sideyard Setback - 947 West 14th
Street.
Planning Intern Schrader presented background information about the request.
Commissioner Truax asked about the elevation of the proposed garage addition.
The applicant, James McNamara, stated that the addition would have an eight
foot elevation, which is the same elevation as the existing garage.
Director Hinzman asked if the addition would be consistent with the existing
roofline.
Mr. McNamara stated that the addition would be consistent with the existing
structure. He also provided some additional information about the design and
construction of the proposed addition.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Truax seconded the motion to
approve the variances for 947 West 14th Street to construct a garage addition to
the City Council with the following conditions:
1) A building permit is required prior to construction of the addition.
2) The driveway opening shall not exceed 24' at the property line per City
Code.
3) The garage shall not be used for home occupation without approval of a
special use permit.
Minutes - Hastings Planning Commission
June 13, 2005 - Page 7 of 7
4) 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: O. Motion Passed.
8. Other Business
Director Hinzman updated the Commission on recent Council actions and
upcoming Commission items.
9. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
t1a/!Jiiitdl~
Cecily Schrader
Recording Secretary