Planning & Zoning Minutes April 6, 2010

NORTH LIBERTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes
April 6, 2010

ROLL CALL.  At _ p.m., Chairman Mausser called the meeting to order. Commission members present:  Anderson, Detlefson, Frost, Haack, Mausser, Moore, Wilkerson.

Others present:  Dean Wheatley, Kevin Trom, Erek Sittig, Ryan Heiar, Tracey Mulcahey, Mike Waltz, Mike Hodge,  Duane Musser, Brian Crawford, and other interested parties.

AGENDA APPROVAL. Moore moved, Wilkerson seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was: ayes – Mausser, Wilkerson, Anderson, Moore, Frost, Detlefson, Haack; nays – none. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT.  None was received.

CORRIDOR COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SITE PLAN.
Staff Review. Wheatley presented information relating to the proposed commercial development plan.   The plan includes more parking spaces than required, drives wider than minimum standards, a  large landscape area, and a nice pedestrian scale of development including walkways from sidewalk to the site.  Discussion was held regarding a flat versus a peaked roof and the required screening of equipment on roof.
Applicant’s Presentation. Mike Waltz presented the proposed site plan.  He stated that every restaurant he has done has been a flat roof due to mechanical equipment. With the flat roof, the mechanical equipment can be spread out for more efficient operation.  
Questions and Comments.  Discussion was held regarding the roof equipment and roof type.  The style and height of the parapet and screening of the equipment was reviewed at length. Handicapped parking location was discussed.  All, developer and commission, expressed interest in raising the parapet to screen the equipment.  Discussion about dumpster and dumpster enclosure occurred.
Public Comment:  None was received.
Commission inquired about the phrasing of the motion. Wheatley assured the Commission that he will make sure that it is appropriate before it goes to Council.
Recommendation to City Council .  Haack moved, Anderson seconded to approve the Commercial Development site plan for Okoboji Grill restaurant with the note that the roof sight line should be modified to screen the mechanical equipment from view as verified by the City Planner.  The vote was: ayes – Detlefson, Haack, Moore, Mausser, Wilkerson, Frost, Anderson.

REVISED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SITE PLAN.
Staff Review.  Wheatley presented the request of Alan Arzu to approve a revised site plan for a planned building addition at the Frog Hollow Day Care, located at the northeast intersection corner of Dubuque Street and North Front Street. An expansion was shown on the original site plan.  Staff recommends for approval
Applicants Presentation.  Brian Crawford from McClure Engineering reported that Frog Hollow and the church have formalized driveway easement last week. The Commission asked about stormwater issues with the property Trom reported that an undated stormwater report was required with this expansion area. This report shows that the current detention area will accommodate this addition.  
Public Comments. None received.
Questions and Comments from the Commission.    None were offered.
Recommendation to City Council.   Moore moved, Frost seconded to recommend approval of the Revised Commercial Development Site Plan for Frog Hollow Day Care.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes – Frost, Haack, Mausser, Anderson, Wilkerson, Detlefson, Moore; nays – none. Motion carried.

HARVEST ESTATES II REZONING.
Staff Review.  Wheatley  presented the request of Midwest Development Corporation to rezone property located generally at the southwest corner of Jones Boulevard and St. Andrews Drive from RS-4 and RS-3 (Residential Single-family) to RS-4, RS-6, RS-7 (Residential Single-family) and RD-10 (Residential Duplex). He summarized the Good Neighbor meeting and the additional storm water issues meeting presentations.  Issues have been discussed as to how storm water issues might be addressed. Staff recommends approval with conditions as included in staff’s memo.
Applicant’s Presentation.  Alan Marks, Midwest Development, and Doug Frederick, Hart Frederick presented the application and reasoning for revising the application.  Marks talked about all that has been done in this process.
The Commission discussed storm water management issues.
Public Comments.  
•    Todd Tripp, 720 S. Jones Blvd., offered concerns regarding traffic and screening.   
•    Sherry Sparks, 710 Jones Blvd., offered concerns regarding the fact that the primary amount of traffic will exit the subdivision in front of her house. This will be discussed as a component of platting.
•    Corey Grabenbauer,1480 Harvest Street, requested to maintain zoning at RS-3 and RS-4 with no duplex zoning.  He requested keeping the same plan as implemented in all other subdivisions in area.  He expressed concerns about traffic and completed sidewalks.  He suggested a stoplight, traffic control officer or police officer at St. Andrews and Jones Blvd.  
•    Wheatley offered that the city is planning for trail on east side and stoplights as a part of the Jones Street project at Penn Street.
•    Kristi (last name unintelligible) of Harvest Street stated that she moved to North Liberty for small town. She chose Harvest Estate for the large lot size.  She stated that there are not enough large single family lots.  She expressed concern about traffic on St. Andrews with new school.  
•    Wheatley clarified that majority of the zoning is single family.
•    Bev Seelman, 2790 Kansas Avenue, stated that the approved conditional zoning was worked hard five years ago.  She asked why this is back on the table when there is already a plan in place. Traffic and drainage were discussed five years ago. Lots of drainage issues on St. Andrews that still have not been addressed.  She would like only single family low density lots.  This doesn’t need to be considered, the final plan from five years ago needs to move forward as approved.
•    Jim Seelman, 2790 Kansas Avenue, thanked the developer and city for openness of the process.  He stated that they have already fought this battle hard. Smaller lots/duplexes promotes turnover.
•    Zach Knorr, 690 S. Jones Blvd., asked about controlling speeds with additional housing units.
•    Janet Erickson, 1090 St. Andrews Drive, asked about the percentage of RD-10 in our size town compared to other cities. She reported that we have too many duplexes, twelve plexes, and low income housing versus single family housing.  She stated that this type of development turns into rentals and into government housing.  
Questions and Comments.  
The Commission talked about their thoughts regarding the proposed rezoning.
Recommendation to City Council.  Mausser moved, Wilkerson seconded to recommend approval of the rezoning request to Council with the following conditions:
1.    That the final reading of the rezoning be held until the preliminary plat is ready for approval, so that final adjustments can be made to the zoning district legal descriptions based on the plat.
2.    That landscape plans are developed for the West Hauer Drive, Jones Boulevard, and St. Andrews Drive frontages for approval with the preliminary plat.
3.     That a 25% masonry requirement be enforced for the RS-7 zoned area to be consistent with the other subareas within the development.
The vote was: ayes – Haack, Detlefson, Mausser, Wilkerson; nays – Anderson, Moore, Frost. Motion carried.

The meeting recessed for five minutes.

MINUTES. The meeting resumed.  Haack moved, Moore seconded to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2010 Planning Commission meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT.  At 8:15 p.m., Haack moved, Moore seconded to adjourn. All ayes. Meeting adjourned.