Meeting No. 06-07 May 11, 2006
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
A regular meeting of the City of Bondurant Planning & Zoning Commission was held in the Community Room at the Bondurant City Center on May 11, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Commission Chair Marvin Skinner
Commission Member Roland Mark
Commission Member Deborah Baker
Commission Member Ken McConnell
Commission Member David O. Williams
Commission Member David Higgins
City Council Member Mike Adams, Sr.
City Administrator Mark J. Arentsen
City Planner Dylan Mullenix
Code Enforcement Officer Larry Snavely
Absent: Mayor Marla McCoid
Commission Member John Bein
Notice of the meeting was posted at the Bondurant City Center, Casey’s General Store, Legacy Bank and Mobile Food Market on May 9, 2006. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the public.
Commission Chair Skinner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was declared.
Motion made by Commission Member McConnell, seconded by Commission Member Mark, to approve the agenda. Roll call: Ayes: 6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Commission Member Williams asked that the minutes from the April 27, 2006 meeting be amended to reflect that Mr. Mike Adams, Jr., would make improvements to the ditch on the south side of 15th Street, Southeast when he develops the Wisteria Heights plat. Motion made by Commission Member McConnell, seconded by Commission Member Higgins, to approve the Planning and Zoning Commission minutes of April 27, 2006. Roll call: Ayes: 6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Mr. Wally Pelds, P.E., A. Leo Pelds Engineering Company, 2323 Dixon Street, Des Moines, Iowa, presented the Preliminary Plat for Hawthorn Crossing, located east of U.S. Highway 65
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May 11, 2006
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and Northeast 80th Street, and answered questions from Commission members. The Preliminary Plat includes one platted lot and 3 outlots to be developed at a later date. The platted lot will become the site of a 40 unit assisted living facility, while the outlots will be use for future commercial development and multifamily development. Mr. Pelds noted that there are two detention basins that will serve as beautification and drainage facilities, and will provide the necessary fill dirt to develop the site. Commission members asked questions related to the detention ponds and other infrastructure. Mr. Pelds noted that the developer, Wil-Ron properties, would assist in the growth of the city’s infrastructure by installing a sanitary sewer trunk line that would run from the WRA line to the site along Highway 65, as well as installing a water main along Northeast 80th Street from the Wisteria Heights development to the site.
Motion made by Commission Member Williams, seconded by Commission Member Baker, to approve Resolution No. PZ-06-13, a Resolution approving the Preliminary Plat for Hawthorn Crossing. Roll call: Williams-Yes, Baker-Yes, Mark-Yes, McConnell-Yes, Higgins-Yes, Skinner-Yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Peter Johnston, A.I.A., PDC Midwest, Inc., 700 Walnut Ridge Drive, Hartland, Wisconsin, presented the Site Plan for the Courtyard Estates assisted living facility to be located in the Hawthorn Crossing plat and answered questions from the Commission members. Mr. Johnston explained the design and amenities of the center, including the ability to be expanded in the future, and showed artist renderings of the finished product. Commission members urged the developer to consider more parking spaces than what were planned. Mr. Johnston explained that in addition to the spaces that are provided, an additional 12 spaces can be created as needed. Additionally, land has been set aside to accommodate the parking demands of any future expansion of the facility.
Motion made by Commission Member Higgins, seconded by Commission Member Mark, to approve Resolution No. PZ-06-14, a Resolution approving the Site Plan for the Courtyard Estates assisted living facility located in Hawthorn Crossing, pending the approval of a Final Plat for Hawthorn Crossing. Roll call: Higgins-Yes, Mark-Yes, McConnell-Yes, Williams-Yes, Baker-Yes, Skinner-Yes. Motion carried.
City Planner Mullenix led a discussion regarding the proposed amendment to the site plan ordinance that would establish hard surface requirements for all multifamily, commercial, and industrial buildings. Commission members commented that they liked what was presented, and would like to see it as an action item on the next meeting’s agenda.
Commission Member McConnell led a discussion regarding the definition of a “block” in the City’s zoning ordinance. He said he had asked City Planner Mullenix to research how other cities define a block. City Planner Mullenix stated that most other cities use a similar definition
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to what Bondurant currently uses. Commission Member McConnell asked the Commission to consider changing the definition to remove any room for interpretation as to what a block is. He expressed concern over the way blocks had been treated with recent developments, and said that under the current definition, it would be theoretically possible to develop the entire length of Grant Street North from the current city limits north to the its intersection with Northeast 94th Avenue without any breaks for internal access. Commission members stated that while they agreed with Commission Member McConnell’s concerns, they wanted to be careful not to make a rushed decision as there may be places where limited access would be desired. City Planner Mullenix suggested that when the city conducts a road corridor study, they determine at that time the desired access for each street classification and incorporate that into the subdivision regulations, which may resolve Commission Member McConnell’s concerns.
City Planner Mullenix led a discussion regarding setback requirements for decks and patios. He stated that with the recent changes in City staff, the City of Altoona had to resume inspections. A problem arose, however, with the consistency of where decks were allowed to be placed. Under previous City staff, decks and patios were not allowed to be located in setbacks. However, the inspectors from the City of Altoona allowed placement in setbacks, as their code allows for it. City Planner Mullenix informed Commission members about how the zoning codes from other cities address the matter, and that their language is vague on the subject. Commission members said they do not want to regulate the size of decks and patios in rear yards, but would like some rule addressing front yards. City Planner Mullenix said he would develop language addressing this issue to be presented at the next Commission meeting.
City Planner Mullenix presented a revised zoning map to the Commission Members to illustrate the possible locations to rezone industrial land back to agricultural. Commission Members directed City staff to continue exploring the opportunity by talking to the affected property owners.
The following items were discussed as part of Commission Members’ comments:
· Commission Member Mark – none.
· Commission Member Higgins – Asked that the City speak to the Paired Townhomes developer to finish the driveway into the development.
· Commission Member Williams – Asked how the improvements to the City’s lagoons are coming..
· Commission Member Baker – Asked when City Planner Mullenix’s last meeting will be.
· Commission Member McConnell – No Comment.
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The following items were discussed as part of Commission Chair Skinner’s Comments:
The following items were discussed as part of City Planner Mullenix’s comments:
ü Thanked Commission Member McConnell for his service to the Commission and wished him the best with his upcoming move.
Motion made by Commission Member McConnell, seconded by Commission Member Mark, to adjourn the meeting. Roll call: Ayes: 6. Nays: 0. Motion carried. Commission Chair Skinner declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
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Marvin Skinner
Chair
ATTEST:
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Dylan Mullenix
City Planner