Planning and Zoning Minutes January 2, 2008

NORTH LIBERTY PLANNING COMMISSION

January 2, 2008

At   6:30 p.m.  Chairman Romans called the meeting to order.

Commission members present:  Daniels, Foresman, Mausser, Peters, Romans, Wilkerson. Absent: Richey.

Others present:  Ryan Heiar, City Administrator; Dean Wheatley, City Planner; Kevin Trom, City Engineer; Scott Peterson, City Attorney; Tracey Mulcahey, City Clerk; Michael Cloos; Adam Bohr; Karla Davis; Mayor Tom Salm; and other interested parties.

No public comment was offered.

Richey arrived at 6:32 p.m.

ANNEXATION AND ACCOMPANYING REZONINGS. City Planner Dean Wheatley presented information regarding an annexation request for: Paul Anderson property, Kay Nelson and Estate of Robert G. Nelson property,  Marcella LaVonne Riddle Raim and Delores Riddle Wagner property, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railroad Company (CRANDIC) property,  Pleasant Valley LP property (Nonconsenting annexation), and Highway 965 and Scales Bend Road rights of way.  These properties will be annexed and rezoned. Zoning districts extend to the center line of the right-of-way.  This application creates a more logical boundary for the city.

Romans inquired if Pleasant Valley wants to make any presentation as to why they are nonconsenting. No representatives from Pleasant Valley were present to answer this request.

No public comments were received.

Mausser inquired about Mr. Anderson’s third consideration of his rezoning request.  Wheatley indicated it will be in front of Council on January 22.

Peters moved to recommend approval of this application to Council. Wilkerson seconded. The vote was: ayes: Romans, Mausser, Peters, Wilkerson, Richey, Foresman, Daniels; nays – none. Motion carried.

QUALITY CARE AMENDED SITE PLAN. Wheatley presented the request of Quality Care Storage to amend their Site Plan located at 460 Cameron Way.  Wheatley provided a map showing how the two areas relate to each other.  The previously approved plan is being amended due to owner’s purchase of additional property. Wheatley pointed out changes in the plan from the original submission.

Cloos presented the revised plan for Quality Care Storage on behalf of the applicant.

No public comment was offered.

Discussion was held regarding the changes to the original site plan including building materials, private street, access, and storm runoff.

Wilkerson recommended approval of the amended site plan.  Mausser seconded.  The vote was: ayes – Peters, Richey, Daniels, Mausser, Wilkerson, Foresman, Romans; nays – none. Motion carried.

QUALITY CARE SITE PLAN.  Wheatley presented the request of Quality Care Storage to approve a site plan located at 595 Country Lane.  He provided details regarding this plan. This is the parcel that fronts on Penn Street and meets the Penn Street overlay district requirements.  Wheatley asked for discussion regarding the hanging sign on the building.

Cloos presented information on the applicant’s behalf regarding the retaining wall.  His clients picked out wall with stone that is very similar to what is on the building.

No public comment was offered.

The commission discussed the hanging sign on the building.

Peters recommended approval of the site plan.  Wilkerson seconded.  The vote was: ayes – Daniels, Mausser, Foresman, Richey, Romans, Wilkerson, Peters; nays – none. Motion carried.

The Commission’s consensus was to move forward with an ordinance amendment to authorize hanging signs.  Until done, Peterson informed the commission that for the purpose of  this request the hanging sign remains a conditional use item until the  new ordinance is passed by city council.

QUALITY CARE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. Wheatley presented the request of Quality Care Storage to approve a conditional use permit to allow mini-storage units in the C-2-A zoning district at 595 Country Lane.  In this location, based on the plans proposed, staff recommends approval of this with this conditional use being limited to this property owner and limited to the site plan as submitted tonight.

No public comment was offered.

Daniels moved to recommended forwarding to the Board of Adjustments approval of the conditional use permit with the use being limited to the site plan as submitted and the property owner that has applied.  Peters seconded.  The vote was: ayes – Foresman, Richey, Wilkerson, Peters, Mausser, Romans, Daniels; nays – none. Motion carried.

K & R ENTERPRISES AMENDED SITE PLAN. Wheatley presented the request of K&R Enterprises Inc to amend the site plan for Lot 8, White Pine Estates, located at 1125 Winchester Lane. The original site plan and the revisions were presented with the differences noted.  The revised site plan allows for preservation of trees on the site.

Adam Bohr & Karla Davis presented the amended site plan request. The amendment was requested to save trees.  This will provide larger units than what was originally planned. Davis presented information regarding the backs of buildings and the masonry requirement on the buildings.

No public comment was offered.

The Commission discussed the change in moving the lot line relating to deck enclosures and the appearance of the rear of the structures.  The developer stated that most units face the pond and will be screened by larger trees.

Mausser moved to recommend the revised site plan with the elevations as they are due to the use of the trees on the site.  Daniels seconded.  The vote was: ayes – Wilkerson, Romans, Richey, Peters, Mausser, Daniels, Foresman; nays – none. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS.

Temporary and long-term use of portable mini-warehouses in North Liberty. The Commission discussed the draft ordinance.  Wheatley presented a summary of the proposed ordinance.  The Commission discussed the size of the units listed in the ordinance and the length of time proposed in the ordinance.  City Attorney Peterson requested clarification of the ordinance language regarding right-of-way.

Mausser moved to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance as drafted with addition of language addressing containers being maintained within private property.  Wilkerson seconded.  The vote was: ayes – Daniels, Peters, Wilkerson, Richey, Foresman, Romans, Mausser; nays – none. Motion carried.

Preliminary Plat extension criteria. Wheatley presented information regarding the preliminary plat extension requirement. The final plat recording extends the ending date of the preliminary plat for an additional 36 months.  Peterson stated that a preliminary plat is the commitment of city that developer can go forward.  Discussion was held regarding shortening the renewal period and requiring a fee for the extension.

Mausser moved to recommend approval with a thirty six month expiration on preliminary plats and eighteen month extension timeframe.  Peters seconded.  The vote was: ayes – Daniels, Peters, Wilkerson,  Richey, Foresman, Romans, Mausser; nays – none. Motion carried.

Minutes. Mausser moved, Peters seconded to approve the minutes of the December 4 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.  The vote was: ayes – Mausser, Peters, Wilkerson, Richey, Romans, Daniels, Foresman; nays – none. Motion carried.

Old Business. None was offered.

New Business. Romans welcomed new commission members.  There was discussion regarding the election of officers. This will be held in February.  The Planning and Zoning calendar for 2008 was presented.   Peterson requested a review of bylaws on an annual basis.  This will be on the March agenda.

Cases under development were presented.

At 7:58 p.m., Wilkerson moved for adjournment and Mausser seconded.  All ayes. Motion carried.