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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20110425City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes –April 25, 2011 Page 1 of 4 Hastings Planning Commission April 25, 2011 Regular Meeting Chair Peine called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call 1. Commissioners Present: Peine, Stevens, Vaughan, Bullington, Rohloff, Messina Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman, Associate Planner Justin Fortney Approval of Minutes – March 28, 2011 2. Motion by Bullington to approve the March 28, 2011 minutes. Seconded by Rohloff. Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS Spirit Recovery Center – 3.Special Use Permit 2011-11 – Operation of a Sober House Group Home – 1216 Sibley Street. Staff Report by Justin Fortney. Associate Planner Fortney provided a staff report. Charles Russell, owner of 1227 Sibley Street said he is concerned that this is a poor location because there are young children in the neighborhood and a liquor store adjacent to the property. Delphine and Mary Medcraft from 1121 Sibley Street said there are young children across the street, a home daycare that is 3 houses away, and Kennedy Elementary is just blocks away. They added that they thought the notice said the address was 1212 Sibley Street. They obtained copies of police reports for that address. They added that 17 people is way too many for one house. Pam Schmitt, applicant said the state would allow 17 based on the square footage of the bedrooms, but there is now way she would ever allow more then 10 total people live in that house. She added that the owner used to run it as a sober house, but it was considered as a flop house because there was no supervision. She said her house manager was a police officer and federal marshal. Schmitt said a state permit is not needed from the state to just run a sober house. She added that she is operating this as a board and lodge which has strict requirements. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes –April 25, 2011 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Vaughan asked what the square footage is of the house. Fortney and Schmitt said they were not sure. Fortney said the bedroom sizes are listed in the staff report and from the inspection it appeared to be an average sized split entry house. Commissioner Stevens asked if more than 2 bathrooms would be required by code. Fortney said the Building safety department said nothing was found in the codes requiring more. Commissioner Bullington said he understands that the applicant states that residents are not supposed to have cars, but he assumes some of them have drivers licenses and may have a car or could borrow one. Schmitt said to qualify to live there, they cannot have any assets including a car. She added that they cannot under any circumstances have a car parked at or near the property. Russell asked if there are background checks preformed on the residents. Schmitt said a background check is preformed, an application is filled out, and an interview is done. She added that there is a waiting list to get into the program. If an individual has to register their place of residence as a condition of probation they will have to complete that. Bullington said continued City inspections are a good idea. He also asked if the residence can have female guests. Schmitt said yes, but they are limited to two hours and certainly not over night. Bullington asked if the proximity to a liquor store should cause them any problems. Schmitt said she didn’t believe so. She added that people do cut across their property to get to the liquor store and she is looking into some fencing to curb it. Bullington asked about the neighborhood setting and the nearby daycare. Schmitt said the residents are not to be lingering out in front of the house. They are to relax in the rear fenced yard. She added that includes smoking areas. Stevens asked if there is a problem having City inspections every two years and the state having one every year. Fortney said he was not sure what the state would be inspecting for, but we would inspect for normal items included in rental inspections including inside and outside maintenance that could cause a safety hazard or unsightly conditions. The City would also be inspecting to assure the conditions of this SUP are upheld. Commissioner Messina asked how long the house manager can be gone for. Schmitt said for 48 hours. She added when that happens, a responsible resident is placed in charge and she lives only several minutes from the house. Bullington asked if the residence can leave the house at all hours. Schmitt said curfew is 11:00 p.m. on the week days and 12:00 p.m. on the weekends. She added that they could sneak back out, but it would not be tolerated. Commissioner Vaughan wanted confirmation that they have been operating for one month with about 5 residences. Schmitt confirmed. Vaughan said he would have liked to see a longer track City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes –April 25, 2011 Page 3 of 4 record before jumping to 9. Schmitt said they are getting pressure from the Dakota County to take people on the waiting list. This type of program is very high on the County’s list of priorities. Stevens asked if all the comments that the state inspector made were addressed. Schmitt said yeas and we received their approval. Motion by Stevens to approve the Special Use Permit with the following conditions. Seconded by Messina.  Building permits are required for improvements including the proposed bedroom.  Privacy fencing must be properly maintained in the rear yard.  Regular City rental inspections must be passed as required of traditional rental properties.  Parking requirements for lodging uses must be met. This requirement will be waived as long as clients are not allowed vehicles on site.  The licensure from the State of Minnesota must be maintained.  Maximum of 9 clients and one house manager. Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried. City of Hastings 4. – TABLE Ordinance Review – City Code Chapter 155.06 & 155.07 – Nonconformities and Special Provisions. Motion by Vaughan, seconded by Messina to table the review until staff brings it back for consideration. Motion passed 6-0 OTHER ACTIONS Other Business 5. Community Development Director Hinzman updated the Commission on upcoming items and a recap of a tour that the City Council, Planning Commission, HEDRA, and the HPC took of the H.D. Hudson Manufacturing facility. Adjourn 6. Motion by Vaughan to adjourn the March 28, 2011, Planning Commission meeting. Seconded by Stevens. Upon vote taken, Ayes 6, Nays 0. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes –April 25, 2011 Page 4 of 4 Next Planning Commission Meeting – Monday, May 9, 2011. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________ Justin Fortney Recording Secretary