Planning & Zoning Minutes April 5, 2011

NORTH LIBERTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes
April 5, 2011

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairperson Mausser.

COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Anderson, Detlefsen, Frost, Haack, Wilkerson, Mausser; absent: Moore.

ALSO PRESENT: Mike Bails, Ryan Abraham, Kevin Hockstedler, Gary Watts, Brian Crawford, Dean Moore, Erika Harper, Dean Wheatley, Ryan Heiar, Carter Kudrle, Tom Salm, Terry Donahue, Chad Keune, and other interested citizens.

AGENDA APPROVAL: Wilkerson moved, seconded by Detlefsen, to approve the agenda of April 5, 2011.
The vote was: ayes—Anderson, Detlefsen, Frost, Haack, Wilkerson, Mausser; nays: none; absent: Moore. Motion carried.

LAND USE PLAN: Wheatley held a discussion with commission members on the residential housing types within the City of North Liberty. There is limited zero-lot-lines and multi-family lots available in North Liberty. City Staff wanted discussion on if it matters if North Liberty’s proportions are different from surrounding communities; should we treat duplexes as single-family, or multi-family, or separately; and should the city modify the Land Use Map to specify locations for zero-lot-lines and multi-family; andhow should staff advise developers with multi-family rezoning request.
During discussion, the following comments were given from the commission members:
• Is there enough multi-family already in North Liberty.
• How would adding more to the market hurt the existing homeowners.
• Do what is best for North Liberty and not be developer or builder driven.
• Look at density and stress on the cities infrastructure.
• Is there enough low income housing.
• Would be more willing to see zero-lot-lines and not as much multi-family.
• If not allowing the multifamily are we hurting are commercial growth.
• What effect would there be to the tax base if there was no more multifamily or zero-lot-lines zoning.

It was the consensus of the commission that they would like a special meeting to look at the Land Use Map and look at potential areas for allowing multi-family and zero-lot-lines. Wheatley will get a meeting scheduled.
Wilkerson moved, seconded by Haack, to table the discussion until the special meeting. The vote was: ayes—Detlefsen, Wilkerson, Anderson, Frost, Haack, Mausser; nays—none; absent—Moore. Motion carried.

REZONING: Request of Dean Moore to approve a rezoning from C-2-A (Commercial) to RD-10 (Duplex)for property generally located east of Cameron Way and south of West Penn Street. A good neighbor meeting was held on this request and two adjacent property owners attended. One owner has an existing non-residential development, and he voiced concerns that future residents may
complain about noise or odor from LL Pelling Company. The other was concerned about the impact residential zoning might have on his ability to develop his commercial property. He did not object to the rezoning because he may decide to request a similar rezoning for his property. Dean Moore of Quality Care and Brian Crawford of McClure Engineering gave the history on the property and they feel that zero-lot-lines would be a good fit for this area and would ask for the commission’s approval.

During the discussion of this item, the commission was concern with LL Pelling Company being next to this property and the smell and noise that comes from the business, also possible vandalism that could occur. The commission did not have a problem with zero-lot-lines because of the makeup of other properties in the area and suggested that maybe it’s time to re-assess the Design Standards. The commission would like a letter from LL Pelling Company and Country View on their support of the
rezoning; and also would like to see the design of the buildings. Wilkerson moved, seconded by Haack, to table this item until the next formal commission meeting. The vote was: ayes—Wilkerson, Detlefsen, Frost, Haack, Anderson, Mausser; nays—none; absent—Moore. Motion carried.

ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS: Wheatley presented the changes to the commission. The commission did suggest that the Good Neighbor Meeting Agenda be placed on NLTV. Haack moved, seconded by Wilkerson, to approve the Zoning Ordinance Amendments as written. The vote was: ayes—Wilkerson, Detlefsen, Frost, Haack, Mausser, Anderson; nays—none; absent—Moore. Motion carried.

MINUTES: Frost moved, seconded by Anderson, to approve the minutes of March 1, 2011. The vote was: ayes—Wilkerson, Detlefsen, Frost, Haack, Anderson, Mausser: nays—none; absent—Moore. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS: None.

NEW BUSINESS: City Budget and Capital Improvements Program. This item was moved to the next Planning Commission Meeting.

CASES UNDER DEVELOPMENT: Wheatley reported that he had two Good Neighbor Meetings last week. One meeting was held for a change to a street to a cul-de-sac in Corridor Commercial. The second meeting was a proposed rezoning on Penn Court and Kansas Avenue.

ADJOURNMENT: Wilkerson moved, seconded by Haack, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
The vote was: ayes—Wilkerson, Dedlefsen, Frost, Haack, Anderson; nays—none; absent—Moore.
Motion carried.