HomeMy WebLinkAbout20191209 - PC MinutesHastings Planning Commission
December 9, 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, Barse, Best, Johnson, Martin and Siebenaler
Planning Commissioners Absent: Messina.
Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman
City Planner Justin Fortney
City Administrator Dan Wietecha
2. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Martin moved to approve the minutes as amended, seconded by Commissioner
Johnson. Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. City of Hastings - Ordinance Amendment - Historic Apartments in R-2 Zoning District.
Fortney explained the proposed R-2 Zoning District ordinance amendment pertaining to
historic apartments and received comments from residents. He also stated that the Heritage
Preservation Commissioners supported the amendment.
Commissioner Alpaugh opened the public hearing at 7:11 p.m.
Rebecca Vlach, 1000 Sibley St., indicated that her home is a triplex and the lot was not
9,000 square feet. Fortney replied that her property would not be affected because it would be
grandfathered in.
Commissioner Siebenaler and Fortney discussed the definition of grandfathering in.
Hinzman stated that the proposed ordinance amendment will not affect properties that are
grandfathered in and explained the intended purpose of the ordinance amendment.
Fred Weiland, 413 2nd St W, was interested in adding on to the upper level of his house to
include a separate entrance. Fortney answered that the addition would need to be part of the main
structure. Weiland and Fortney discussed special use permit fees.
Wes Lund, 120 7th St E, and Fortney discussed the proposed ordinance amendments and
how it may affect the public notification process, the City’s occupancy code, various properties
in the City and what to expect if the proposed ordinance was passed.
Eric Thraen, 651 3rd St W, questioned how the proposed ordinance would affect parking
for the additional units. Fortney detailed the parking requirements.
Robert Albright, former Hastings resident, asked about changing the exterior of a
building that is listed on the National Historic Registry. Fortney stated that plans would have to
be approved.
Jesse Starkson, 201 7th St E property owner, Fortney and Hinzman talked of the
occupancy of various properties and state laws regarding group homes.
Hearing no further comments, Commissioner Alpaugh closed the public hearing at 7:40
p.m.
Commissioner Barse and Fortney discussed if there were restrictions on the size of the
addition.
Commissioner Johnson wanted to know the definition of a historic home. Fortney defined
historic home.
Commissioner Martin wondered if the Hastings Police Department still offered their
crime free multi-housing program. Fortney did not know if the program was still active.
Commissioner Alpaugh and Fortney talked about other cities with similar ordinances to
the one being proposed.
Commissioner Siebenaler asked about the notification process. Fortney explained the
notification process and the associated requirements.
Commissioner Siebenaler and Fortney discussed the number of apartments at the
VanDyke building at 612 Vermillion St.
Commissioner Johnson and Fortney discussed the required parking in the proposed
ordinance amendment.
Commissioner Martin moved to approve as presented, seconded by Commissioner Barse.
Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved.
City Council will consider 1st reading and schedule a public hearing on December 16th,
with the 2nd reading and public hearing taking place January 6th.
4. City of Hastings - Ordinance Amendment - Original Hastings Design Standards.
Hinzman detailed the reason for requesting that the Original Hastings Design Standard be
under the purview of the Heritage Preservation Commission. He noted that the Heritage
Preservation Commission approved this change.
Commissioner Alpaugh opened the public hearing at 7:57 p.m.
Wes Lund, 120 7th St E, expressed concerns about the relevancy of the Heritage
Preservation Commission.
Hinzman and Fortney responded to Lund’s concerns.
Miyoshi Seto, 315 Pine St owner, inquired as to why the Original Hastings Design
Standards only applied to homes outside of the historic district. Fortney explained that homes in
the historic district have a separate ordinance and renovations are reviewed by the Hastings
Preservation Commission. Therefore, to be consistent, historic homes outside of the historic
district would also be under the Heritage Preservation Commission’s review.
Hearing no further comments, Commissioner Alpaugh closed the public hearing at 8:03
p.m.
Commissioner Best and Hinzman discussed the future review process if this was
approved.
Commissioner Siebenaler questioned the building criteria for historic homes versus non-
historic homes. Hinzman described the various building requirements.
Commissioner Johnson moved to approve as presented, seconded by Commissioner Best.
Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved.
City Council will consider 1st reading and schedule a public hearing on December 16th,
with the 2nd reading and public hearing taking place January 6th.
Other Actions
5. Election of Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair
Hinzman described the requirements of Chair and Vice Chair.
Commissioner Siebenaler nominated Commissioner Johnson as Chair. Ayes 6; Nays 0.
Commissioner Johnson nominated Commissioner Martin as Vice Chair, seconded by
Commissioner Barse. Ayes 6; Nays 0.
6. Other Business
Hinzman stated that the two new commissioners will start January 13, 2020.
Hinzman thanked Commissioners Alpaugh and Barse for their service.
Hinzman updated the Commissioners that Council approved the signage variance request
from November. He also provided a status update of The Confluence project.
7. Adjourn
Commissioner Martin motioned to adjourn at 8:15 p.m., seconded by Commissioner
Johnson. Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved.
Next Meeting – December 23, 2019
Respectively Submitted:
Erica Henderson
Deputy City Clerk