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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/08/90HASTINGS PLANNING COMMISSION Meeting of 1-8-90 The regular meeting of the Hastings Planning Commission was called to order by Commission Kaiser at 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Commissioners Ditty, Patzke, Dredge, Reinardy, Featherstone, Anderson, Zender, Cedar, Kaiser Members Absent: None Staff Present: Planning Director Harmening and Planning Intern Robertson New Commissioners Thomas Cedar, Randall Patzke and Eugene Reinardy took the oath of office from Mayor Lu Stoffel and were seated as Planning Commissioners. OATH OF OFFICE Commissioner Kaiser called for additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of December 26, 1989. There being no additions or corrections the minutes were approved as presented. MINUTES Harmening indicated that Mark Morstad and Lester Fair are requesting approval of a minor subdivision of a piece of property located at the southeast corner of W. 7th Street and River St. The property in question currently extends from 7th St. to Trunk Highway 55 and contains a house and garage on the northerly portion of the lot. The applicants are requesting a minor subdivision to allow the parcel to be split into two lots such that the house and garage are located on the northern lot with the southern lot remaining vacant. PUBLIC HEARING- MINOR SUBDIVISION 741 W. 7th FAIR/MORSTAD Harmening discussed with the Planning Commission a variety of issues related to the project. A similar request from the applicants was turned down in 1987 by the Planning Commission and City Council due to traffic concerns at the River Street Trunk Highway 55 intersection. Trunk Highway 55 is scheduled for reconstruction during 1990 and 1991. MnDot has seen the proposed subdivision and has stated that it does not have a problem with the split provided the future driveway for the vacant lot is located a certain distance from the River Street/Trunk Highway 55 intersection. The public hearing was opened for comments at 7:40. The first to speak was Mark Morstad of 741 W. 7th street. Mr. Morstad stated that he has paid $3,500.00 in taxes and assessments in the last year on the back portion of his lot without being able to have full use of the land. Mr. Morstad stated that what he is seeking is relief from this tax burden and that he has no objections to any of the conditions staff has recommended as part of approving the minor subdivision. Next to speak was Tom Nesbitt of 221 W. 8th Street. Mr. Nesbitt said that he wanted clarification of several items. He thought that the vacant lots which fronted on Trunk Highway 55 were considered unbuildable and were taxed accordingly. His question was if this lot is buildable and other such lots are determined to be buildable does the city then go back and collect assessments on the property. He also asked if the city would put in a through street between Highway 55 and 7th Street to provide access to those lots located in the middle of a block which would otherwise not have access. He also asked if it was the intent of the Planning Commission to put restrictions on other similar lots so that they could not be subdivided with the result that the back lots would then become unbuildable. Next to speak was Lester Fair who stated that he wanted this action so that title and taxes can be cleared up on the property and that he wants the title to this lot. When asked if he had any plans to build upon the newly created vacant lot he said that he had none at this time. There being no further comments the public hearing was closed at 7:48 p.m. There was considerable discussion of this issue. Commissioners Dredge and Kaiser expressed concerns about possible traffic problems and a bad precedence. Commissioner Reinardy asked if a condition could be attached to the approval of the minor subdivision so that any future development proposed for the newly created vacant lot would come back to the Planning Commission for approval. Harmening said that such a condition could be attached. Commissioner Ditty stated that the issue before the Planning Commission pertained to which was more important, relief for the taxpayer or possibility of setting a precedent which would allow other people to subdivide and build on lots previously considered unbuildable. Commissioner Dredge made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ditty to table this issue and to seek opinions from the City Attorney and City Staff on: the 1) If the minor subdivision is approved what recourse or latitude does the city have for denying a development proposal on the newly created vacant lot? 2) What other similar lots/taxpayers could possibly be affected by this decision? Upon vote taken, Ayes, 9; Nayes, 0. Harmening discussed a request for the vacation of a portion of River St. right of way upon which an existing house encroaches. This matter was brought before the Planning Commission by staff to solicit comments and no specific or formal action is required. REVIEW OF VACATION OF PART OF R/VER ST.-801 W.7TH PALMER ESTATE There were no comments made on this issue by the Planning Commission. Harmening discussed the vacation of utility and drainage easements caused by a replatting in Siebens 3rd Addition. New easements would be dedicated with the proposed new plat. Again staff is bringing this issue before the Planning Commission for comments and no specific or formal action is required. There were no comments made by the Planning Commission. REVIEW OF VACATION OF DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASE- MENTS-LOT 1, BLOCK 2 , SIEBENS 3RD ADDITION Harmening indicated that a new ordinance has been proposed regUlating outdoor retail temporary sales within parking lots. This ordinance has been proposed because city code does not contain any clear provisions for dealing with such requests. The Planning Commission is asked to order a public hearing as part of the normal procedure for reviewing an amendment to the city code. There was a motion by Commissioner Zender, seconded by Commissioner Reinardy to order a public hearing on this matter for 7:30 p.m. on 1/22/90. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 9; Nayes, 0. ORDER PUBLIC HEARING - ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT- TEMPORARY SALES WITHIN PARKING LOTS Harmening updated the Planning Commission on actions taken by the City Council. Robertson passed out to Planning Commission members a draft of a proposed work plan for the updating of the city zoning ordinance. Harmening indicated that Planning Commission members were asked to provide feedback on areas of the zoning code which they felt needed improvement and that this feedback should be provided at the next Planning Commission meeting. UPDATES/ OTHER BUSINESS There being no further business a motion was made by Commissioner Ditty, seconded by Commissioner Zender to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Upon Vote taken, Ayes, 9; Nayes, 0. ADJOURNMENT