Planning and Zoning Minutes August 4, 2009

NORTH LIBERTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes
August 4, 2009

At 6:30 p.m., Chair Mausser called the meeting to order. Commission members present: Anderson, Frost, Mausser, Moore, Wilkerson; absent – Haack.
Others present: Dean Wheatley, City Planner; Scott Peterson, City Attorney; Tracey Mulcahey, Assistant City Administrator; Corinne Lemmage; Tom Salm; Duane Musser; Jessie Burns; Bob Burns; Ken Shaull and other interested parties.

Agenda Approval. Moore moved, Wilkerson seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was: ayes –Frost, Moore, Wilkerson, Anderson, Mausser; nays – none; absent – Haack. Motion carried.
Public Comment. No public comment was received.

Cedar Springs Rezoning.
Staff Review. Wheatley provided additional information relating to the requested rezoning. The zoning request is a down zoning from the currently approved zoning of RM-8 to RD-10. Wheatley offered details regarding the differences between multi-family and duplex residential zoning districts. Staff is reviewing drainage, especially backyard drainage due to storm water issues this year even more closely than in the past.

Staff recommends approval with one recommended condition, that the final plat includes a landscape easement and landscape plan for the Cedar Springs Drive frontage, with construction and maintenance provisions to be included in the Developer’s Agreement.

Applicants Presentation. Duane Musser, MMS Consultants, presented the request to rezone property located in the Cedar Springs neighborhood, west of Cedar Springs Drive and east of Alder Drive from RM-8 to RD-10. The zoning on the property was originally RM-8 Multi-family when the subdivision was originally platted.

Public Hearing. Ken Shaull, 120 Willow Lane, asked about the water retention basin being able to handle the additional parking lot hard surface runoff. Musser indicated the pond was sized for larger development than will be resulting from the proposed change. Shaull presented information regarding the safety of Mehaffey Bridge Road. He stated that adding any additional units along Mehaffey Bridge Road should not be allowed.

Wheatley presented an email from Jeff Manthey regarding the rezoning request.

Questions and Comments from the Commission. Wilkerson stated that it is a good deal to downzone, less units equals less traffic. Mausser stated that the other issues are very valid. Anderson expressed appreciation of the concerns of residents. As a resident of Cedar Springs, he stated that the city needs to continue to look at the issues including mailbox location and speed limits.

Recommendation to City Council. Mausser moved, Frost seconded to recommend approval of the rezoning request for Cedar Springs, Part 10 with the following condition, that the final plat includes a landscape easement and landscape plan for the Cedar Springs Drive frontage, with construction and maintenance provisions to be included in the Developer’s Agreement.. The vote was: ayes- Mausser, Wilkerson, Frost, Moore, Anderson; nays – none; absent – Haack. Motion carried.

Cedar Springs, Part 10 Preliminary Plat.
Staff Review. Wheatley presented information regarding the proposed layout of Part 10. Staff recommended approval with the following condition, that the final plat includes a landscape easement and landscape plan for the Cedar Springs Drive frontage, with construction and maintenance provisions to be included in the Developer’s Agreement.

Applicants Presentation. Musser and Mike Bales presented the request of Cedar Springs Partners LLC to approve a preliminary plat for Cedar Springs Part 10, located west of Cedar Springs Drive and east of Alder Drive. Bales presented concerns regarding the requirement of creation of an association to care for the landscaping. The agreement will be drafted for each property owner to maintain their portion of the landscaping buffer.

Public Comments. No public comments were received.
Questions and Comments. Wilkerson reminded all that the preliminary plat actually is a fairly final document. The decisions made about a preliminary plat are what governs the development almost until the lots are sold. Discussion occurred regarding Ash Court and the required landscape buffer.

Recommendation to City Council. Moore moved, Wilkerson seconded to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat of Cedar Springs, Part 10 with the following condition that the final plat includes a landscape easement and landscape plan for the Cedar Springs Drive frontage, with construction and maintenance provisions to be included in the Developer’s Agreement. The vote was: ayes – Wilkerson, Moore, Anderson, Frost, Mausser; nays – none; absent – Haack. Motion carried.

Jefferson Point Revised Site Plan.
Staff Review. Wheatley presented information regarding the amended site plan request. The developer is requesting additional parking to allow transition to less assisted senior housing rather than strictly assisted living. More parking is anticipated being necessary as more residents will have cars. Staff recommends approval of the site plan with no conditions.

Applicants Presentation. Jesse Burns presented the request of Jefferson Point LP and Jefferson Point II LP to approve a revised site plan for Jefferson Point, located west of North Front Street at 45 West Jefferson Street. Burns provided an update as to the plans for usage of the facility. The facility was planned as a full service, certified assisted living facility. The demographics of the current tenants are that the full service facility is not necessary. The facility will not have an assisted living facility license. Jefferson Point will remain a senior/special needs facility with services and meals being available for residents. The developer is seeking to add additional parking and a gazebo. The gazebo installation is at the request of residents with a sidewalk connection to the facility. Burns stated they anticipated fewer drivers than they actually have as tenants. The original site plan approval stated that if the city deemed that additional parking was necessary, the developer would be required to have it constructed. With the additional parking requests they are seeing, they deemed it was a good time to make this happen. Wilkerson thanked the developer for the thoughtfulness in getting ahead of the issue.
Public Comments. Ken Shaull commented that Jefferson Point exits directly to Mehaffey Bridge Road and reminded commission of the safety issues with the road. He stated he would hate to see additional traffic from Jefferson Point.

Questions and Comments. Mausser asked for clarification as to where the additional parking is going. Wheatley reminded Commissioners that he will provide larger copies to anyone who would like them.
Recommendation to City Council. Wilkerson moved, Frost seconded to recommend approval of the revised site plan for Jefferson Point, located at 45 West Jefferson Street with no conditions. The vote was: ayes – Anderson, Mausser, Frost, Wilkerson, Moore; nays – none; absent – Haack. Motion carried.

Urban Renewal Plan Amendment.
Staff Review. Mulcahey presented information regarding the updated Urban Renewal Plan. The plan is being amended to include properties that are being acquired by the City.

Recommendation to City Council. Mausser moved, Wilkerson seconded to recommend approval of the proposed urban renewal plan amendment to the City Council. The vote was: ayes – Wilkerson, Mausser, Frost, Moore, Anderson; nays – none; absent – Haack. Motion carried.

Minutes. Wilkerson moved, Moore seconded to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2009 Commission meeting. The vote was: ayes – Frost, Moore, Wilkerson, Anderson, Mausser; nays – none; absent – Haack. Motion carried.

Old Business. Mausser reported that at the September meeting, a new co-chair and the representative to City Council will be appointed.
Adjournment. At 7:25 p.m., Moore moved, Wilkerson seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.