North Liberty
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
August 2, 2005

Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Sittig at 6:30 pm.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Leick, Sittig, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diouf; absent—Smith.

ALSO PRESENT: Robert Sentman, Frank and Peg Colony, Tom Salm, James Moody, Jerry and Cindy Kasper, Mike Hodge, Dean Oaks, Frank Lenane, Mary Lou and Jim Poggenpohl, Daryl High, Duane Musser, Carter Kudrle, Jeff and Judy Rugger, Bill Sueppel, Kevin Trom, Travis Alden, Betty Moey, Bev and Jim Seelman, Gerald Kuhl, Daniel Schaapveld, Jim Sartane, Brian James and other interested citizens.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There were several people at the meeting regarding Glynmor LLC that wanted to comment, but the item was not a Public Hearing and they choose the Public Comment section of the agenda to make their feelings known.

Gerald Kuhl had reviewed the plat and feels that there is little change from the last submittal. He feels that there is still a problem with density, water drainage and the entrance.

Robert Sentman addressed the commission on several problems with the development. The Sentman Family has been in the area since 1838 and knows the history of the property. He has concerns on the Outlet C drainage, who will maintain the fence, and all field tile need to be located and capped.

Daniel Schaapveld would like to see the 6-foot wood fence replaced with trees. He feels the fence would cause drifting of the snow in the winter and would make it harder to plow.

Betty Moey 725 South Jones Blvd: Would like the commission to reconsider the density. There is more R-S-4 lots, then R-S-3, and feels that R-S-3 are the big lots and would like to see more of these.

Bev Seelman thinks that the density is still an issue, the roads are not able to handle the traffic, need more park land and wants to discuss the issue of the trickle effect of water on the their property.

Jim Sartane was there to address issues on Aspen Ridge, the Amended Preliminary Plat, located at Highway 965 and Scales Bend Road. The stake that is located on the northeast side of the property he feels is incorrect. He also feels that the plans are not detail enough to insure that proposed drainage tube is big enough to handle the water.


PRELIMINARY PLAT: Request of Glynmor LLC to approve the Preliminary Plat for Glynmor Addition located on South Jones Blvd and 270th Street. This item was before the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 7, 2005 and was tabled due to the amount of items that needed to be changed.

Osterholt would like the barn that is located on this property saved. He would like the developer to consider moving the park to lots 90,91,92 and possibly lot 16. This would allow the barn to stay.

Osterholt moved, seconded by Leick to recommend to the City Council approval of the Amended Preliminary Plat subject to the cul-de-sac being removed, relocating the designated park land to lots 90,91,92 and possibility 16 to preserve the barn, removing the 6- foot wood fence and replacing with a vegetative screening; fence agreement being reached with the Sentman’s, locate and cap field tile; 8-inch pavement with subdrains for 270th Street should be noted; an agreement for Outlot C with the developer and the Seelman’s. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Osterholt, Sittig, Leick, Diouf; nays—Shrader, Mausser; absent--Smith. Motion carried.

SITE PLAN: Request of Judy Rugger for Rugger’s Café which is located on the southside of Community Drive and west of North Liberty Community Center. There was discussion on the 5-foot retaining wall and stairs that are proposed. The stairs were put in at the City’s request for a Pedestrian Walkway to the Recreation Center. Drainage was also discussed. There is no storm water system in this area and without the wall the Recreation Center will get all the water from this lot. Staff feels people can walk around the wall and stairs are not needed.

City Engineer is to explore the possibility of routing the water to the intake on the eastside of the Recreation Center. Developer is open to revising their plan to remove the wall if Engineer finds that is will work.

Osterholt moved, seconded by Shrader to recommend to City Council approval of the Site Plan without the stairs. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Osterholt, Sittig, Leick, Diouf, Shrader, Mausser; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING: Request of Kenneth and Marilyn Cahill to rezone their property from RS-4 (Single-Family Residential District) to RM-12 (Multi-Family Residential District) which is located on the northeast corner of the Cahill Addition, north of Fox Run, west of Scales Bend Road. Public Hearing was open at 7:33 pm. There were no comments from the public. Public Hearing was closed. This is a previously approved lot where the nursing home is to be located. There were wetlands found on the property and the west property line had to be adjusted.

This is going to be a Conditional Use Zone so if nursing home does not locate here then the zoning would revert back to RS-4.

The existing proposal of the property is a little different than the previous. There is a section that is left out to the west of the property, so staff would like the developer to file another application for a small portion of this area that is not included in this consideration.

Sittig would like clarification on the number of acres that are being considered for rezoning. Between the Zoning request, Preliminary and the Final Plat there are 3 different acreage sizes listed.

Osterholt moved, seconded by Mausser to recommend to City Council approval of the rezoning subject to this being a Conditional Use zone, and clarification of the acres in this parcel. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Osterholt, Leick, Diouf, Shrader, Mausser, Sittig; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

Amended Preliminary Plat: Request of CC&H Development to approve the Preliminary Plat for Aspen Ridge located on Highway 965 and Scales Bend Road. Because of the wetlands the developer had to remove a street that crossed that area.

The commission would like MMS to meet with Jim Sartane to address his concerns from the Public Comment item on this Agenda.

Osterholt moved, seconded by Leick, to recommend to City Council approval of the Preliminary Plat subject to: Developer receiving approval of the Wetland Mitigation Plan being considered by the Corp of Engineers; move the 6-foot sidewalk and 15-foot easement from lots 30/31 to lot 29/30; note on plat the developer will construct turn lanes on 965 at Pheasant Lane; state if proposed detention basins will be wet or dry bottom; state that basins are for each water shed area; a fence agreement with Mr. Sartane. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Osterholt, Leick, Diouf, Shrader, Mausser, Sittig; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

FINAL PLAT: Request of Ken and Larry Cahill to approve the Final Plat for Aspen Ridge which is located on Highway 965 and Scales Bend Road. Osterholt moved, seconded by Leick, to table until wetland notification is received and everything is in line with the Corp of Engineers. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Osterholt, Leick, Diouf, Shrader, Mausser, Sittig; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

Staff agreed that developer could start grading on the property as long as the wetlands are not disturbed.

PUBLIC HEARING: Request of North Liberty Sod Farm LC to rezone their property from C-2-A (Highway Commercial) to RD-10 (Two-Unit Residential District) RM-8 (Multi-Family Residential District) RM-12 (Multi-Family Residential District) which is located at the intersection of Forevergreen Road and Highway 965. Public Hearing was open at 7:58. There were no comments and the Public Hearing was closed. It is the desire of the City to run Ashley Court east and west to allow traffic access from South Front Street and Highway 965. This area was proposed to have 80 acres of commercial contractor’s shops, but with Ashley Court going through and the new schools near by, the developer feels residential is a nicer fit to the area.

It is the consensus of the commission to have Commercial on Forevergreen Road. The south portion of Forevergreen Road is in Coralville and it is there plan for Commercial on Forevergreen Road and the commission feels that commercial zoning on the north side would be a better fit to the area.

Sittig moved, seconded by Mausser, to recommend to City Council approval of the zoning. Motion was withdrawn.

Osterholt moved, seconded by Shrader to recommend to City Council approval of the RM-12 (Multi-Family Residential District) from C2A (Highway Commercial). After discussion, the vote was: ayes: Leick, Sittig, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diouf; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

Osterholt moved, seconded by Leick, to recommend to City Council approval of the RM-8 (Multi-Family Residential District) from C2A (Highway Commercial). After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Leick, Sittig, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diouf; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

Osterholt moved, seconded by sharder to recommend to City Council approval of the RD-10 (Two-Unit Residential District) with the condition that lots 55-56-71-72 be zoned appropriately to allow commercial on the bottom and apartments on top. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Diouf, Leick, Shrader, Osterholt; nays—Sittig, Mausser; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

Commission advises City Council to change the Comprehensive Plan.

PRELIMINARY PLAT: Request of North Liberty Sod Farm L.C. to approve the Preliminary Plat for Corridor Commercial Subdivision, Part Two, which is located at the Intersection of Forvergreen Road and Highway 965. Commission members and staff went over items that still needed to be addressed on the plat.

There is an existing metal building on the property that the developer will remove within 18 to 24 months.

Staff recommends that a buffer yard be established to separate the residential and commercial uses. This should be a combination of plantings, berms, landscaping and/or fencing. Staff would like a 50-foot width and should be located and described on the plat. The developer feels that the garages with plantings between the buildings would make a nice buffer but would not be 50 foot.

The sidewalk on the north side of Forevergreen Road should be 8-foot wide, with the city paying half and developer paying half.

City Staff is to design the purposed turn lanes on Highway 965.

Osterholt moved, seconded by Sharder, to recommend to City Council approval of the Preliminary Plat subject to a 30-foot buffer between the commercial and residential use; light pole between lots 80 and 82 on Sara Court; correct lot numbering; and the zoning of Lots 55-56-71-72 conform to what Commission recommended. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Leick, Sittig, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diouf; nays—none; absent--Smith. Motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING: Request of Frank Lenane to approve a Planned Area Development for Roseberry Stop located at 2797 North Front Street. Public Hearing was open at 8:45 pm. There were no comments. Public Hearing was continued due to a 5-plex being located within a flood plain that needs to be removed. Staff and Developer will get together and Developer will come in with a resubmittal. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Leick, Sittig, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diouf; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

PRELIMINARY PLAT, FINAL PLAT, SITE PLAN FOR JEFFERSON ADDITION, PARTS TWO AND THREE. Osterholt moved, seconded by Shrader to table all three of these items until Developer comes in with more of a regional area used for Storm Water Management and City Engineer not being able to adequately review the plat. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Leick, Sittig, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diouf; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

FINAL PLAT: Request of Cedar Development to approve the Final Plat for Lot 9, Progress Park, Part Three, located in the Deerfield Subdivision. Osterholt moved, seconded by Leick, to recommend to City Council approval of Lot 9, Progress Park, subject to a requirement that if an access from 240th Street into Lot 3, 240th Street be chip sealed from Alexander Way to point of access. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Leick, Sittig, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diouf; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION: Request of Arlington LLC to rezone their property from Interm Development District to RS-4 and RS-6 Single Family Residential District located on Dubuque Street and East Zeller Street. Public Hearing was reopened at 9:36 pm and there were no comments. Public Hearing was closed. Osterholt moved, seconded by Leick, to recommend to City Council to approve the request for rezoning from Interm Development District to RS-4 and RS-6 Single-Family Residential District. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Leick, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diour, Sittig; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

PRELIMINARY PLAT: Request of Watts Development and Michael Hodge to approve the Preliminary Plat that is located on Dubuque Street and East Zeller Street and East Zeller Street. Osterholt moved, seconded by Shrader, to approve the Preliminary Plat subject to Connecting the trail to north of Outlot F; add light pole at East Penn Street and Juniper Street; Penn Ridge Place needs 60-foot Right-of-Way; correct the lot numbering; all outlots need to be privately owned except Outlots H&G and move Outlot F’s drainage to the point between Lots 171 and 172; name the Cul-de-sac; and no direct lot access to Penn Street and Dubuque Street, except for Lot 12. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Leick, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diour, Sittig; nays—none; absent—Smith. Motion carried.

OPEN SPACE POLICY: There will be a Joint Meeting on August 30th to discuss this item with City Council.

MINUTES: Osterholt moved, seconded by Shrader, to approve the Minutes as amended. After discussion, the vote was: ayes—Leick, Osterholt, Mausser, Shrader, Diouf, Sittig; nays—none; absent—Smith.

OLD BUSINESS: Comprehensive Plan needs to be changed to reflect the change in the zoning fro Corridor Commercial if City Council approves the request.

NEW BUSINESS: None.

ADJOURNMENT: Osterholt moved, seconded by Leick, to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 pm. Motion carried.


_________________________________
Mary Byers, Deputy City Clerk