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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/79MINUTES OF HASTINGS PLAI'qlNING COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, JANUARYZZ, 1979 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Acting Chairman Liska. Members Present: Commisskoners Liska, Murphy, Groth, Kramer, Wendler, Hughes, Latch and Bultman Members Absent: Commissioner Gergen Moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Wendler to approve the Minutes of the January 9, 1979 Planning Commission meeting. 6 Ayes - 0 Nayes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The City Clerk, Mr. Wallace Erickson, swore-in new Planning Commission members Patti Collins Bultman, Gary Hughes and Eleanor Liska (Reappointed). OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW MEMBERS Mr. O'Connor had approached the Planning Commission previously with a development proposal to build an 8-plex. The Planner explained that Mr. O'Connor had decided to apply only for the driveway width variance at this time, as the rest of the development hinged on obtaining this variance. He also explained that it was the Staff's recommendation to deny the variance. VARIANCE- DRIVEWAY WIDTH - 8-PLEX DEVEL- OPMENT PROPOSAL, WEST OF EDDY ST. & NORTH OF CO. RD. #47, JAMES O' CONNOR The Planning Commission had received a petition from a number of area residents which indicated their opposition to the 8-plexproposal. The comments of those people present at the meeting are as follows: Name Comments John Murtaugh Mr. Murtaugh wondered how the Planning Commission could consider an 8-plex proposal on this property when he indicated that a "two bedroom home" request had been denied a number of years ago due to the narrowness of the access easement. Chairman Liska Chairman Liska indicated that all property owners have the right or opportunity to request a variance from the City code when appropriate; but that does not necessarily mean that the variance request will be granted. · Minutes o£ -2- January Z2, 1979 Hastings Planning Commission (Continue d) I~arne Comments Variance Request - 8-plex Development James O'Connor (Cont.) Lloyd Dewey Mr. Dewey indicated that he had b'~*en under the impression that this area was all zoned single-family residential. He also explained that the driveway would be six feet from his bedroom window. Pianner The property in question is zoned 1{-3, with the property immediately to the north in an 1{-Z (single-family) zoning district. Lu Stoffel Mrs. Stoffel suggested that Mr. O'Connor and the property owners get together and try to work out a compromise whereby property owners might consider granting additional property for access to the site if Mr. O'Connor might consider altering the scope or density of his proposal. Commissioner Wendler gave the Committe$ treport which indicated that the main concern was the adequacy of the width of the access. Mr. Wendler indicated that he had not been aware until the meeting that the access was through an easement and not owned outright along with the parcel in question. Commissioner Latch stated that he disagreed with the Planner in that he felt' that this was an "unusual" situation and might qualify for a variance. The Planner responded that in addition to the Staff's opinion that this request did not show sufficient hardship, it could not be considered in the best interest of the public health and safety. Commissioner Kramer asked if the concrete curbing was absolutely necessary. Commissioner Wendler responded that even if the City did not require the curb, it was a requirement stated in the easement document. Moved by Commissioner Wendler, seconded by Commissioner Latch to deny the variance due to the magnitude of the variation of the request from the minimum requirements of the zoning ordinance. Commissioner Murphy explained that he ~uld be abstaining because a close relative had signed the petition in opposition to the development. Commissioner Groth stated that he would be abstaining because he has friends and relatives in the investment group which own the property. 4 Ayes - Kramer, Nay, Murphy and Groth abstained. Minutes of -3- Hastings Planning Commission (Continued) At this point in the meeting, Commissioner Groth stated that he would be submitting his resignation from the Planning Commission. He explained that he owned property, developed property, and was acquainted with individuals that had come before the Planning Commission; he felt there were often questions about his integrity. Therefore, he did not feel he could properly serve on the Planning Commission. January 22, 1979 RESIGNATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER Many Pia~aning Commission members and members of the audience urged Commissioner Groth to consider his decision, and many felt that Mr. Groth was a valuable member of the P. lanning Cornrnission. Chairman Liska indicated that she could not and would not accept Mr. Groth's resignation at this time, and that he should reconsider his decision. Commissioner Latch suggested that it might not be a bad idea to have a committee look into the situation of the parcel involved in Mr. O'Connor's request. He asked the Planner if he felt that it would be appropriate to do so. The Planner responded that he did not know what could be done in this case, but that problems often arise regarding odd shaped parcels of property and that it might not be a bad idea to have a standing committee to deal with the many varied problems that arise with these kinds of parcels. Chairman Liska appointed a committee consisting of Commissioners Latch, Wendler, and Hughes, with Latch as the Committee chairman. COMMITTEE APPOINT- MENT The Planner explained that the Committee had met with representatives of Loucks and Associates and himself to review the Critical Areas Plan and Ordinance. He went over parts of the plan and ordknance that had been revised pursuant to that Committee meeting. COMMITTEE REPORT- MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR CRITICAL AREAS PLAN Commissioner Wendler gave a Committee report which indicated that the Committee had done extensive work in reviewing the plan and ordinance with the Staff, and that the Committee recommended approving the documents. At this point, Mr. Ed Elliott, of Loucks and Associates, reviewed many points of the plan. ' Minutes of -4- Hastings Planning Commission Meeting (Continued) January 22, 1979 Several members of the audience had comments regarding such things as increased development costs, slope development, increased setback requirements, and such things as filling. Moved by Commissioner Groth, seconded by Commissioner Wendler to schedule a Public Hearing on the Critical Areas Plan, Ordinance, and Capital Improvements Program for the February 1Z, 1979 Planning Commission meeting. 8 Ayes 0 i~ayes. The Planner presented the Planning Commission with the results of the questionaires that had been sent out to a random sampling of residents. He suggested turning the response sheets over to the Cornrnittee to review the individual cornrnents that were received. Moved by Commissioner Groth, seconded by Commissioner Murphy to take the Planner's suggestion. 8 Ayes - 0 Nayes. Chairman Liska, after asking the Planning Commission, set the meeting time for 7 P.M. for the February 12th Planning Commission meeting in order to elect officers. This is to be noted on the agenda. Moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Wendler to adjourn at 10:10 P.M. 8 Ayes - 0 Nayes. Mississippi River Critical Areas (Cont.) TWO-FAMILY DWELLING S TAN DAR DS SET MEETING TIME FOR NEXT PLANNI1NG COMMISSION MEETING AD JO URNMEN T