Planning & Zoning Minutes January 4, 2011

NORTH LIBERTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes
January 4, 2011

Roll Call.  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mausser at 6:30 PM.  Commission members present: Anderson, Detlefsen, Frost, Haack, Mausser, Moore, Wilkerson. Absent: none.

Others present:  Ryan Heiar, Dean Wheatley, Scott Peterson, Mary Byers, Carter Kudrle, Tom Streb, Steve McCoy, Brian Wayson, Ken Madole, Tom Salm, Mike Bails, Edward and Kelly Townsend, and other interested parties.

Agenda Approval. Haack moved, seconded by Wilkerson, to approve the agenda of January 4, 2011.  The vote was: Ayes – Haack, Frost, Wilkerson, Moore, Mausser, Detlefsen, Wilkerson; nays—none.  Motion carried.

Public Comment.  Steve McCoy, rural Johnson County, voiced a number of concerns, including the rezoning case on the agenda, timing of the Comprehensive Plan amendment, taxes, potential conflicts of interest, legal issues related to low-income housing, and others. Scott Peterson and Dean Wheatley responded to his comments, noting that many were either not factual or not relevant.  Several Commission members expressed their concern with his comments, which they felt were inappropriate.

Tom Streb, 3302 Pheasant Court NE, rural Johnson County, wanted to know why he was not notified of the Good Neighbor Meeting held by the City.   Streb owns property at Saint Andrews Drive and Kansas Avenue.  Staff concluded that his property is not within the 200 feet of the rezoning request; however, since he was present he was welcome to comment to Commission. He declined.

Comprehensive Plan Amendment.  Wheatley presented the recommendation from City Staff to amend the Comprehensive Plan including the Future Land Use Map for an area located between Interstate 380 and Kansas Avenue and south of Penn Street, generally known as The Villas, from a residential designation to a commercial designation.

Wheatley stated that the current residential zoning is for very high density development that could result in almost 1,400 residential units.  The change under consideration is consistent with written policies in the Plan, and will provide a reasonable transition from I-380 to the residential uses already established to the east of the site. Wilkerson stated that she is in favor of the changes because it will avoid placing many future residents, especially children, near the noise impacts of I-380.

Dave Moore informed the group that he would be abstaining from Comprehensive Plan and rezoning votes as well as any discussion because of his involvement with the development project being proposed at the site of the amendment.

Wilkerson moved to recommend the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map amendment to City Council, and Detlefsen seconded. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Wilkerson, Anderson, Frost, Mausser, Detlefsen, Haack; nays—none; abstain—Moore.  Motion carried.

Rezoning of Property at Interstate 380/Kansas Avenue.  Wheatley presented the rezoning request of North Liberty LLC to rezone from RM-21 (Multi-family Residential) to O/RP (Office/Research Park) and C-3 (Concept Commercial).  The request is consistent with the amended Land Use Plan, and presents little or no use conflicts with nearby properties. Staff feels that this is a more appropriate designation for the location than the existing high-density residential designation.

Kelly Townsend, 265 South Park Ridge Road, stated that she is in favor of the development but has a concern with traffic in the area.   Staff reported that there is expected to be less traffic with the proposed change to commercial than the current high density multi-family zone.   Townsend inquired about snow removal on Kansas Avenue as well.

Wilkerson is in favor of the rezoning.  She feels the noise and sound pollution from the Interstate would not be good for a residential zone, and that a commercial zone would be more suited to the area.  Haack and Detlefsen agreed with Wilkerson’s comments.

Detlefsen moved, seconded by Frost, to recommend to City Council approval of the rezoning request.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Mausser, Detlefsen, Frost, Wilkerson, Anderson, Haack; nays—none; abstain—Moore.  Motion carried.

Minutes.  Moore moved, seconded by Wilkerson, to approve the Minutes of December 21, 2010.  After brief discussion, the vote was: ayes–Moore, Anderson, Wilkerson, Mausser, Haack, Detlefsen, Frost; nays—none.  Motion carried.

Old Business.  Moore asked about the status of the bowling alley that was approved by the city.  Wheatley stated that he believes the developers are still trying to make the project work.

Adjournment:  Haack moved, seconded by Wilkerson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m.  After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Detlefsen, Wilkerson, Moore, Mausser, Frost, Anderson, Haack.  Motion carried.