Planning and Zoning Minutes June 3, 2008

NORTH LIBERTY PLANNING COMMISSION

June 3, 2008

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Mausser.

Commission members present: Daniels, Foresman, Wilkerson, Mausser; absent: Richey, Romans.

Also present: City Administrator Ryan Heiar, City Attorney Scott Peterson, City Planner Dean Wheatley, Tom Salm, Lewis Wright, Karla Davis, Brian Crawford, Mike Pugh and other interested citizens.

City Planner Dean Wheatley requested that the Commission defer agenda item 8b, an Ordinance Amendment to the Master Sign Ordinance, for one month.  Staff would like to further review the proposed amendment.

Wilkerson moved, seconded by Daniels, to defer the Ordinance Amendment to the Master Sign Ordinance for one month.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Daniels, Foresman, Wilkerson, Mausser; absent—Peters, Richey, Romans.  Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was offered.

Peters arrived at 6:40 p.m.

PRELIMINARY PLAT: Re-subdivide Lots 1 and 2 of Progress Park, Part 2.

Staff Review:  Wheatley presented the staff review.  The re-subdivision as proposed will create smaller, more appropriately-sized commercial lots.  Wheatley did explain two issues that need to be addressed before City Council action.

Permanent easements will need to be obtained from the adjacent property owners for the drainage features extending out to the north side of the plat.  Also, provisions need to be made to cover the developers cost of signalization at Alexander Way and Penn Street.

Foresman would like Public Transportation considered for this area.  He feels it would be appropriate for a Bus Stop at Penn Street and Alexander Way.   Wheatley stated that if the city were to consider a Bus Stop in this area would be on Lininger Lane, as it has a lower volume of traffic.

Daniels moved, seconded by Wilkerson, to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat, subject to establishing easements and signalization costs for Alexander Way and Penn Street being work out.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Daniels, Foresman, Wilkerson, Mausser, Peters; nays—none; absent—Romans, Richey.  Motion carried.

SITE PLAN: HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, LOT 1, HERITAGE ADDITION.

Staff Review:  Wheatley presented the staff review.  The site plan presented meets all ordinance requirements.  Wheatley noted that the stormwater retention area at the front  will have one side which will be 15 feet in height.  Commission discussed safety concerns  for the children.  Crawford indicated that the water would be released from the ditch in a controlled manner and would dissipate within an hour after a rain.

Troy Miller of Heritage Christian School showed a slide show on the history of the school.

Peters moved, seconded by Wilkerson, to recommend to the City Council approval of the Site Plan for Heritage Christian School.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Daniels, Foresman, Wilkerson, Mausser, Peters; nays—none; absent—Romans, Richey.  Motion carried.

FINAL PLAT: LOCUST RIDGE ESTATES, PART 2.

Staff Review:  Wheatley presented the staff review.  This request is to establish 2 multi-acre lots within the City’s extraterritorial review area for subdivisions, but beyond land considered reasonable for future annexation to the City of North Liberty.

Mausser questioned the portion of the legal description for the property that relates to the portion of  government lots 10 and 11.  Wheatley will check on this before it goes to City Council.

Foresman moved, seconded by Wilkerson, to recommend to the City Council approval of the Final Plat.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Daniels, Foresman, Wilkerson, Mausser, Peters; nays—none; absent—Romans, Richey.  Motion carried.

REZONING: REQUEST OF ALBERHASKY FAMILY FARM.

Staff Review:  Wheatley presented the staff review.  This request is to rezone multiple areas within the Alberhasky property west of Front Street and south of Zeller Street.  Wheatley prepared a table showing the relationship between the existing zoning and the requested zoning.

Wilkerson did not like the slight increase in the Multi-Family and the elimination of the RS-6 Single Family.  She feels that this area is already busy and it’s hard for the people to get in and out of their driveways.  This development will increase the traffic and she questioned if a traffic light is needed in the area.  Wheatley indicated that a traffic study will be completed.

The consensus of the Commission is to have less density and look at safety issues in this area.

Foresman moved, seconded by Mausser, to recommend to City Council approval of the rezoning request.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Daniels, Foresman, Wilkerson, Mausser, Peters; nays—none; absent—Romans, Richey.  Motion carried.

MASTER SIGN DESIGN: 1395 Jordon Street. Mausser moved, seconded by Wilkerson, to recommend to City Council approval of the Master Sign Design.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Daniels, Foresman, Wilkerson, Mausser, Peters; nays—none; absent—Romans, Richey.  Motion carried.

ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS: Section 201.9: Applicant Standing: This amendment would allow the City control over developer’s that have issues on their development.  With this change a developer would need to complete the issues on the existing development before starting a new development.  This Ordinance would also allow an appeal process for the developer if they feel they are being treated unfairly.

Peters moved, seconded by Daniels, to recommend approval of the Ordinance Amendment.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Daniels, Foresman, Wilkerson, Mausser, Peters; nays—none; absent—Romans, Richey.  Motion carried.

MASONRY ON CORNER SIDE YARD BUILDING ELEVATIONS: Section 1612-Design Standards: Wheatley presented some proposed alternatives to the masonry requirements.   The current Ordinance requires masonry on both sides of a building which is located on a corner of two streets in Industrial and Residential Districts.  Developers think that this is excessive, and does not add much to the design quality of buildings.  One alternative is to require more landscaping instead of the masonry on the sides of buildings.

The commission discussed allowing landscaping on the sides in residential districts and requiring masonry on the side of the most major street in Industrial Districts.

Dan Smith, Iowa Home Builders Association, has been discussing alternatives to the Design Standards with Wheatley and agreed with the general intent of the changes.  Smith did comment on Section 201.9:  Applicant Standing and the 5% interest an individual person or business could have in a development.  He would like the percentage to be higher.  He would also like written warnings sent to developers and with a time frame to correct problems, prior to the city placing a hold on any further development.

Smith also recommended the phrase in Section 201.9 (A) “significant obligations” be referred to as obligations under the respective codes.

This item will be on the next agenda for further discussion.

BY-LAWS AMENDMENT:  Peterson went over changes to the By-Laws.  There is an ordinance change purposed that removes the City Council from Article II. Membership and gives the authority to the Mayor.

Wilkerson stated for the recorded that she is against the change to the membership.

MINUTES: Wilkerson moved, seconded by Daniels, to approve the minutes of May 6, 2008.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Mausser, Wilkerson, Daniels, Peters, Foresman; nays—none; absent—Romans, Richey.  Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS. None.

NEW BUSINESS.  Foresman went over some items that he would like added to the Design Standards:

Add to item #1: Green building emerging best practices are encouraged by the city and shall be privileged over purely visual requirements when considering building design and materials.

Add to item #5: Exposed condensing units must be justified (closed loop geothermal is preferred whenever possible).

Add to item #6: When meeting green building practice requirements for Heat Island Reduction (such as Energy Star or LEED) highly reflective and high emissivity roofing colors are allowed.

Add to item #:7:  …. (except solar collection equipment).

Add to Item # 8: Delete the words “glare or”.  Note: See item 6.  High albedo (reflective and emissive) materials for roofing & pavement are a common requirement for green building standards like LEED and Energy Star.  We should avoid causing traffic hazards but light reflective colors should not be hindered by the code in a Sierra Club “Cool City” like North Liberty (if we are to practice what we preach).

Wheatley will meet with Foreman to get these recommended changes into the Design stardards.

Mausser announced that Romans has resigned from the Commission and thanked him for his service.

ADJOURNMENT. Peters moved, seconded by Daniels, to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Mausser, Wilkerson, Daniels, Peters, Foresman; nays—none; absent—Romans, Richey.  Motion carried.