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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 - MinutesHastings Planning Commission April 8, 2019 - Regular Meeting Agenda Hastings City Hall - City Council Chambers 7:00 p.m. Chair Alpaugh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. Call Meeting to Order Planning Commissioners Present: Alpaugh, Johnson, Barse, Siebenaler and Martin Planning Commissioners Absent: Best Staff Present: Community Development Director Hinzman City Planner Fortney 2. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Martin moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Barse. Motion approved 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Deals with Wheels – Rezoning and SUP #2019-11 - Automobile Sales – 2414 Vermillion Street. Staff report by Justin Fortney. City Planner Fortney described the history of the site, use restrictions of the site, site zoning and the special use permit conditions. He described the applicant’s intention for the site; to open an automobile sales business and that no vehicle maintenance service would be offered. Fortney described the proposed site improvements. Commissioner Alpaugh opened the public hearing. Jessica Balsimo, wife of Douglas Balsimo and sister-in-law to Matt Balsimo, the current owners of Deals with Wheels in Inver Grove Heights. She discussed the mission, values and history of Deals with Wheels. Montgomery Knoll, 2127 Vermillion Street, owns the property across the street. Knoll and Hinzman discussed Knoll’s previous request to sell vehicles and that he would have to submit an application for the request to be considered. Hearing no further comments, Commissioner Alpaugh closed the public hearing. Commissioner Martin asked for clarification between C2 and C3 zoning. City Planner Fortney explained the differences and similarities between the two zoning districts. Commissioner Barse questioned if there were required external building materials/finishes. Fortney responded that Building Safety Department and Fire Marshal may have requirements but the Planning Department does not. Commissioner Barse and City Planner Fortney discussed the C2 zoned lot at the corner of Vermillion Street and 25th Street East. Commissioner Alpaugh inquired as to where the vehicles could be parked. City Planner Fortney specified that six parking spots were intended for customers, six spots for staff and the remaining spots were intended for the for sale vehicles. He also explained the zoning ordinance parking spot requirement. Commissioner Johnson commented on the Vermillion Street Plan and questioned whether this proposed project fit the scope of that plan. City Planner Fortney answered that the proposal is not a site redevelopment but a reuse of an existing building. Fortney also discussed the Vermillion Street Plan requirements. Commissioner Barse motion to approve as presented, seconded by Commissioner Martin. Ayes – Martin, Siebenaler, Barse and Alpaugh; Nays – Johnson. The City Council will consider the first reading of the rezoning request on May 6th. 4. City of Hastings – Ordinance Amendment – Keeping of Chickens in Residential Areas. Staff report by Justin Fortney. City Planner Fortney detailed the history of keeping chickens in the City, current ordinance requirements, explained the proposed additions to the ordinance, other Cities which allow residential keeping of chickens and health concerns. Alpaugh opened the public hearing. Brian Jones, 1573 Stonegate Road, detailed why he was not in favor of allowing chickens in residential areas. Jones also commented that approximately 10 years ago Council voted to deny the keeping of chickens in residential areas. Barbara Walther, 1880 Steeple Lane, indicated that she was in favor of allowing chickens in residential areas and explained why. Hearing no further comments, Alpaugh closed the public hearing. Commissioner Siebenaler indicated that she was concerned that the proposed setback between neighboring homes may hinder some residents from possibly keeping chickens. City Planner Fortney clarified the proposed setbacks. Commissioner Alpaugh inquired why this item was previously not approved. City Planner Fortney responded that Council made several comments of dissent but not one specific reason. Community Director Hinzman added that arguments for and against were heard, similar to the current received comments. Commissioner Johnson and City Planner discussed the proposed allowable number of chickens and coop size. Commissioner Johnson was concerned that the coop may be too small for the number of chickens and recommended adding language of coop size per the number of chickens. Commissioner Johnson stated that he thought the fees were too high. City Planner Fortney replied that the fee was $100.00, renewal fee has yet to be determined and that renewals do not take much staff time. He supplied an example: home occupation license fee was $100.00 and renewal fee was $50.00. Commissioner Johnson and City Planner Fortney discussed the potential cost of notifying residents. Commissioner Martin and City Planner Fortney discussed possible resident feedback of an applicant during a public hearing. Commissioner Martin asked how the number of four chickens was determined. City Planner Fortney responded that four was commonly seen in other various cities ordinances. Commissioner Martin noted that he was not in favor of allowing chickens in residential areas and stated his reasons. Furthermore, he did not want his comments to be misconstrued; however, the City as a whole needs to be taken into consideration when deciding upon a decision. Commissioner Barse inquired about how the ordinance would be enforced. City Planner Fortney summarized how all City ordinances are enforced. Commissioner Siebenaler thought the Police would be involved in complaints prior to the City becoming involved. City Planner Fortney answered that may occur if the complainant calls 911, but typically Code Enforcement could be contacted for zoning and maintenance issues. Commissioner Siebenaler commented that she was aware of resident’s moving from Hastings because they are not allowed to keep chickens at their residential property and that she favored this ordinance. She continued that chickens, similar to a garden, may provide healthy, organic food to those who could not afford to purchase it in a store. Commissioner Alpaugh replied that owning chickens was expensive; purchasing the coop and food and maintaining the health of the chickens. He was apprehensive that corners may be cut and the chickens may suffer. Commissioners Alpaugh and Siebenaler discussed the various lot sizes in the City and surrounding communities. Commissioner Martin motioned to deny as presented, seconded by Commissioner Alpaugh. Ayes – Martin, Alpaugh; Nays – Siebenaler, Johnson, Barse. Commissioner Siebenaler motioned to approve the amendment with the exclusion of the 25 foot setback, seconded by Commissioner Barse. Commissioner Barse and City Planner discussed accessory structure setbacks. Ayes – Siebenaler, Johnson and Barse; Nays – Martin and Alpaugh. City Council will have the first reading of the ordinance amendment at the May 6th City Council meeting and the public hearing will be at the May 20th City Council meeting. 5. Draft Comprehensive Plan – Take public comments on the final draft of the Hastings 2040 Comprehensive Plan and review affected jurisdictions’ comments. City Planner Fortney summarized the history of the updates to the Comprehensive Plan and the approval process. Commissioner Alpaugh opened the public hearing. Frank Knoll, 2127 Vermillion Street, asked how the Comprehensive Plan and Vermillion Street Plan coincide. City Planner Fortney defined both plans and stated that they were started at approximately at the same time. Hearing no further comments, Commissioner Alpaugh closed the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Commissioner Barse. Ayes – 5; Nays – 0. The Comprehensive Plan will be discussed at the May 20th City Council meeting. OTHER ACTIONS 6. Other Business Community Director Hinzman reviewed recent City Council actions regarding items discussed by the Planning Commission. He also updated the Commissioners of the Planning Commission vacancy. 7. Adjourn Commissioner Siebenaler motioned to adjourn at 8:21 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Johnson. Next Meeting – May 13, 2019