Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/27/03 HASTINGS PLANNING COMMISSION May 27, 2003 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Vice-Chairman Greil called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. 1. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Alongi, Greil, Hollenbeck, Truax, and Twedt (arrived later) Commissioners Absent: Anderson Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman 2. Approve May 12, 2003 Planning Commission Minutes Motion by Commissioner Truax, Second by Alongi to approve the Minutes of the May 12, 2003 Planning Commission as presented by staff. Motion passed unanimously. D & L Inns of Hastings - Minor Subdivision #2003-39 - Split the eastern 117 feet of property - 300 West 33rd Street. Director Hinzman provided background information on this item. Vice-Chairman Greil opened the public hearing at 7:07 pm. No one came forward to speak; the public hearing was closed at 7:07 pm. Commissioner Alongi stated he was concerned that the proposal may interfere with a court action on the property. Commissioner Truax stated he would prefer that the owner be put on notice that any future split of the property would require conformance to the minimum fire and building code regulations. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Alongi moved and Commissioner Hollenbeck seconded a motion to recommend denial of the minor subdivision based on the following findings of fact: 1. Approval of the subdivision would create an encroachment of the existing Country Inn Hotel, onto the newly created eastern parcel. Property owner has failed to provide adequate documentation that the proposed subdivision would cause the existing hotel building to be in compliance with Building and Fire Code Requirements, including but not limited to minimum separation of the building from the property line 3. Hastings City Code, Chapter 11, Section 11.10D states "A minor subdivision is generally not intended for outlots nor commercial\industrial lands." Upon vote taken: Ayes: 3 (Alongi, Greil, Hollenbeck), Nays: 0, Abstentions (Truax). Motion passed. Twedt Arrived City of Hastings - City Code Amendment #2003-38 - Chapter 10 (Various Sections) - Downtown Master Plan. Director Hinzman provided a summary of the proposed changes to the language since the last meeting. He also gave background information on the process - that changes to the language of the code would be considered first. Only upon Council adoption of language changes, would rezoning of property be considered. Commissioners discussed the following changes to the draft: Accessory Buildings and Structures - allow sidewalls in excess of 10 feet regardless of whether a residential unit is located above the structure or not. Commissioners sought a revision that ensured the overall height and design of the building were compatible to the house. Residential Mixed Use District - Allow commercial activities on the entire first floor of the structure, but not more than 50 percent of the structure. Vice-Chairman Greil opened the public hearing at 7:22 pm. Greg Schmitt, 109 Bass Street - Suggested limiting garage door heights as a way to limit accessory structure heights. Had concerns about the OSR district designation for East Hastings, would it lead to greater density than is there at present? Director Hinzman stated that the OSR district would allow for clustering of units, which could exceed the existing limit of a two unit dwelling, provided open space and green space is provided to ensure the density would not exceed 3.0 units per acre (the existing R-2 density limit). Ryan Berg, 703 East 2nd Street - Had concerns about greater density in East Hastings, and the potential for Iow income residences. Clarence Chapman, 614 East 3rd Street - Questioned the movement of the greenway from along the railroad tracks adjacent to downtown, further east to link Lake Isabel Park and the Mississippi River. He also questioned how the zoning changes would affect additions to homes. Director Hinzman stated that the greenway along that the Lake Isabel greenway was in addition to the one along the railroad. Pastor, Our Saviour's Church, 400 West 9th Street - Questioned how the changes would affect the ability of the church to expand - would existing structures be protected. Director Hinzman stated the new ordinance speaks to building standards, not protection of older properties. Cyndi Mollick, 623 East 1st Street - Her property is designated as park land in the Downtown Master Plan - would she be allowed to construct an addition, or would the city condemn her property. Director Hinzman stated the ©SR district would allow for both single and two family structures to be constructed. Further research would need to be done on the affects before any rezonings to evaluate the consequences. James Fowlkes, 312 West 2nd Street - Questioned how his property would be designated in the future. Ryan Berg - Doesn't understand the need for additional park land. He is concerned that the property owners of East Hastings will be burdened by this plan - they like things they way they are now. Commissioner Twedt stated the intent of the changes seems ©K, but the application appears to be muddy. Commissioner Alongi stated if their were other ways to obtain green space other than the plan - he questions the value of the OSR district on East Hastings. Cathy Maynard, 920 Vermillion Street - Asked if the Schoolhouse Square project would be affected by the changes. Director Hinzman stated that the Schoolhouse Square property is within the Master Plan District, and would be subject to the plan. Public Hearing was closed at 8:35pm Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Hollenbeck moved and Commissioner Alongi seconded a motion to table the proposed zoning changes until the next Planning Commission meeting to allow staff to incorporate changes discussed at the meeting. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 5 (Alongi, Greil, Hollenbeck, Truax, Twedt), Nays: 0. Motion passed. 5. Other Business Director Hinzman provided an update of City Council actions and upcoming planning items. Adjournment With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm. Respectfully submitted, John Hinzman Recording Secretary