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Planning Commission Minutes – July 12, 2010 Page 1 of 4
Hastings Planning Commission
July 12, 2010
Regular Meeting
Vice-Chair Peine called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call
1.
Commissioners Present: Bullington, Peine, Rohloff, Vaughan, Stevens
Commissioners Absent: Slaten, Zeyen
Staff Present: Community Development Director Hinzman, Associate Planner
Barker
Approval of Minutes – June 28, 2010
2.
Motion by Commissioner Stevens to approve the June 28, 2010, meeting minutes. Seconded
by Commissioner Rohloff.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
OTHER ACTIONS
3.City of Hastings – Ordinance Amendment #2010-30 – Garden Centers.
Associate Planner Barker presented a staff report.
Commissioner Bullington inquired about the permitting process for Garden Centers and firework
sales. Associate Planner Barker stated that Garden Centers were currently regulated, but firework
sales were not. She further stated that both would be regulated under the new ordinance.
Commissioner Vaughan inquired about the 10 percent parking lot area condition. Associate
Planner Barker stated that the area covered by sales in the parking lot could not exceed 10 percent
of the building square footage. She stated this was decided upon by researching other city’s
ordinances.
Commissioner Stevens asked if the application had specific dates on it. Associate Planner Barker
stated that applications do have specific dates, though Garden Centers currently need to be
removed by June 30,
Commissioner Stevens thanked staff for their work on the ordinance.
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – July 12, 2010 Page 2 of 4
Commissioner Rohloff inquired about sales on items such as shrimp and flowers. Associate
Planner Barker stated that items grown on a farm are generally excluded under state regulations.
She stated that the Planning Department does not regulate sales such as a Schwan’s truck in a
parking lot.
Community Development Director Hinzman stated that the peddler’s permit may cover the
Schwan’s Truck and explained that Transient merchants are allowed two 90 day sales periods.
Commissioner Stevens inquired about the 120 day time period. Associate Planner Barker stated
that businesses are currently allowed 90 days for Garden Center sales and 60 for Temporary Sales
Events. She stated that 120 days seemed reasonable time period for all events in a parking lot.
Community Development Director Hinzman stated that this ordinance would limit property
owners who sell items that are normally not permitted. He used Terry’s Ace Hardware as an
example.
Commissioner Vaughan inquired if propane tank sales would be included in the regulations.
Community Development Director Hinzman stated that items sold in front of the store on the
sidewalk along with gas station islands would be excluded from the ordinance.
Motion by Vaughan to approve the Ordinance Amendment to Garden Centers. Seconded by
Bullington.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried.
4.City of Hastings – Adopt Resolution –Conformance to the General Plan - Amendment to Modify
the Vermillion Street Redevelopment Plan and Establishment of TIF District No. 5 (Napa).
Community Development Director John Hinzman presented the staff report.
Commissioner Vaughan asked if this was a reactive decision and essentially money is being
recycled. Community Development Director John Hinzman stated the value of the increased tax
value of the property would be used to help facilitate its construction.
Commissioner Vaughan inquired why this area was not made a TIF district before. Community
Development Director John Hinzman explained that there was not a firm development plan. He
further explained the “but for” principle. This principle states that development would not have
occurred “but for” the establishment of the TIF district.
Commissioner Stevens asked if this prevents another TIF district from being developed.
Community Development Director John Hinzman stated that multiple projects can occur in one
district.
Commissioner Stevens inquired how money is going to stimulate development. Community
Development Director John Hinzman stated that there is a gap between revenue and costs, which
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – July 12, 2010 Page 3 of 4
TIF can be used for. In addition, the owner can recover demolition costs per an agreement that
was made prior to demolition. Finally, TIF can be used for public improvements, such as alleys
and parking lots.
Commissioner Vaughan asked if the City demolished the building. Community Development
Director John Hinzman stated that the building was privately removed. The City had an
agreement that they would allow demolition costs to be recouped if a TIF district was developed
within three years.
Community Development Director John Hinzman stated that the City of Hastings is pretty strict is
regards to the usage of TIF in comparison to other cities. He stated that the Napa site is a prime
example for the usage of TIF. Community Development Director John Hinzman stated that
without TIF to offset the cost of redevelopment, the site may never have been developed.
Commissioner Bullington inquired if the Planning Commission would be seeing anything related
to Napa in terms of plans. Community Development Director John Hinzman stated that the Site
Plan was reviewed by the Planning Commission two meetings ago.
Commissioner Bullington stated he wanted to make sure that the City wasn’t overdoing auto parts
stores in Hastings, particularly since one store recently went out of business. He further stated he
was in favor of the resolution, but stated the need to be cautious of future development as they
may not be a necessity.
Community Development Director John Hinzman stated that zoning provides a general guidance
to use and that the Planning Commission cannot restrict certain business types if the zoning code
is met.
Commissioner Stevens inquired how long the TIF district was in place for. Community
Development Director John Hinzman stated 16 years.
Commissioner Stevens asked about the $400,000 value, to which Community Development
Director John Hinzman stated was optimistic.
Commissioner Vaughan asked if the Planning Commission would ever see a TIF district and then
the Site Plan. Community Development Director John Hinzman stated it the order in which they
care reviewed can vary.
Commissioner Vaughan inquired what the city did to market the property. Community
Development Director John Hinzman stated that the primary responsibility for marketing was left
to the private owner, the city provides some assistance. He stated the City may get involved if it
is blighted or to use TIF to kick start the development.
Commissioner Bullington stated it may behoove the City and Chamber to rethink the marketing of
properties. He stated that if Hastings is competing against other cities, the city may need to work
together with the Chamber to be competitive.
City of Hastings
Planning Commission Minutes – July 12, 2010 Page 4 of 4
Motion by Stevens to recommend Adopting Resolution relating to the Conformance to the
General Plan - Amendment to Modify the Vermillion Street Redevelopment Plan and
Establishment of TIF District No. 5 (Napa). Seconded by Vaughan.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried.
Other Business
5.
Community Development Director Hinzman updated the Commission on upcoming items.
Adjourn
6.
Motion by Bullington to adjourn the July 12, 2010, Planning Commission meeting. Seconded
by Vaughan.
Upon vote taken, Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Next Planning Commission Meeting – Monday, July 26, 2010
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Kari Barker
Recording Secretary