HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/23/03HASTLN S PL A NNLNfi COMMISSION
June 23, 2003
Regular Meeting
7:00 pm
Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
1. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Anderson, Greil, Hollenbeck, Truax, and Twedt. Commissioner
Alongi arrived at 7:04 pm.
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman, Associate Planner Kris Jenson.
2. Approve June 9, 2003 Planning Commission Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Greil, Second by Twedt to approve the Minutes of the June
9, 2003 Planning Commission as presented by staff. Motion passed unanimously.
Renee Meyer - Minor SubdivisionNariance #2003-45 - Subdivide an existing twin
home into two properties - 1908 A Eddy Street.
Planner Jenson presented background information on the request.
Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing at 7:06 pm.
Renee Meyer, property owner, stated the she had approached many of the neighbors
around 1908 A Eddy Street to discuss the project with them and ask for their support. A
statement of support for 11 neighboring property owners was submitted to the Commission.
Hearing no further comment, Chairman Anderson closed the public hearing at 7:08.
Commissioner Truax asked if there should be any covenants/associations associated with
the property.
Director Hinzman stated that in cases like this where there is no common area the City has
not requested that associations be set up. Covenants would be up to the property owner to
draft and record.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner Greil moved and Commissioner Truax seconded a motion to
recommend Approval of the Minor Subdivision/Variance for 1908 A Eddy Street to the
City Council, based on the following:
Findings of Fact for variance:
1) The homes and garages were constructed prior to current setback standards.
2)
The lot width and current building setbacks are a circumstance not created by the
property owner.
Conditions of Approval:
1)
Certification to the Building Official that the building meets all applicable building
codes relating to fire separation.
2)
Applicant to locate the sanitary sewer lines and the water service lines. A drainage
and utility easement may be necessary should either of the lines not be located on
the property for which it serves. The easement would need to be located from the
front of the house to the ROW easement line.
Upon vote taken: Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion passed.
City of Hastings - City Code amendment #2003-46 - Photography Studios in
Residential Districts.
Director Hinzman provided background information on the proposed amendment. Mr. Mac
McGoon owns a home/photography studio at 1100 Westview Drive. In 1986 provisions were
added to the zoning code to permit photography studios in R-3 Districts. When the zoning
code was overhauled in 1995, the language regarding photography studios in the R-3
district was not included.
Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing at 7:14 pm. Hearing no comments from the
public, the hearing was closed at 7:15 pm.
Commissioner Alongi asked why the exact language that used to be in the code simply was
not being readopted.
Chairman Anderson asked if Mr. McGoon's studio is currently a non-conforming use.
Director Hinzman stated that it is, because there is no language in the code for the use.
Chairman Anderson asked how many home photography studios we currently have in
Hastings.
Director Hinzman stated he did not know the total.
Commissioner Truax asked if the Special Use Permit ran with the land or the property
owner.
Director Hinzman stated that that issue would need to be clarified. He also added that part
of the discussion should center on whether these types of uses are more appropriate in
some areas over others.
Chairman Anderson stated that he would like to see residency requirements for the owner to
reside on site along with the use, because it is located in a residential district.
Commissioner Greil asked how this ordinance would differ from the existing Neighborhood
Commercial provision available in the R-2 and R-3 districts. Why should photography
studios have special language? He would not be in favor of allowing the use in an R-1
district.
Director Hinzman stated that perhaps this is a bigger issue than the photography studios,
and that the concentration should be on what's appropriate for the Neighborhood
Commercial special use permit.
Commissioner Twedt inquired if requests under Neighborhood Commercial would have to
go through the same type of approval process.
Commissioner Greil stated that he would not favor listing specific businesses permitted, as
that maybe too limiting as occupations evolve. He would also like to see the signage issue
clarified.
Commissioner Twedt asked if the Commission then wanted to add the residency
requirements for all new Neighborhood Commercial uses.
Director Hinzman stated that that provision can be considered for this language.
Commissioner Greil stated he wanted to avoid any conflicts with the downtown master plan
requirements.
Commissioner Truax stated that he felt strongly that any neighborhood commercial should
have some residential space, since he feels that the intent of allowing small scale
commercial in the residential districts means that it's still a part of the residential
neighborhood.
Commissioner Alongi stated that this is probably a good time to be looking at this ordinance
since the nature of business is changing rapidly and more and more jobs can be done from
a home environment.
Commissioner Greil added the that primary issue is whether the use/business is appropriate
for a residential area.
Chairman Anderson concurred with the Commissioners and stated that there shouldn't be
specific language for photography studios.
Director Hinzman asked if the Commission wanted language requiring a residential
component to the language.
Commissioner Greil agreed, and expressed a desire that it should only be within the R-2 &
R-3 districts.
Planning Commission Action:
Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Alongi seconded a motion to table
the ordinance amendment until the July 14, 2003 meeting to allow Staff to revise the
proposed language to encompass all neighborhood commercial requests.
Upon vote taken: Ayes: 6, 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 7:51 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristine Jenson
Recording Secretary