2013_06_05_PC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Page 2 City Planner Thomas Paschke summarized the request of Mueller-Bies Funeral Homes 46 seeking approval of a Comprehensive Plan land use map change, zoning map change 47 and parcel consolidation as detailed in the staff report dated June 5, 2013; to facilitate 48 plans to purchase an adjacent residential property and consolidate it with the main 49 property for the purpose of expanding the funeral home’s parking area. Mr. Paschke 50 noted that the parcel consolidation could be approved by the City Council without a public 51 hearing but for the other essential aspects of the overall proposal, detailed in Section 4.0 52 of the report. 53 The Planning Division recommended approval of the proposed changes as outlined. 54 Member Stellmach asked if there had been any comment from owners of the properties 55 at 592 or 580 regarding the proposal; with Mr. Paschke responding that none had been 56 received other than the one contained in Section 6.0 of the report from a nearby 57 commercial business in support of the request. Mr. Paschke noted that the proposal 58 seemed to be supported, as it provided no questionable intrusion in to a residential 59 neighborhood or expanded use into low density residential. 60 Member Olsen shared his recent observations of traffic congestion on Dale Street during 61 rush hour, and significant delays he found for south and/or north bound traffic, as well as 62 anyone trying to exit or enter the funeral home parking lot. Member Olsen opined that this 63 proposal seemed to him to be a “no brainer” to reduce clogging on that corridor during 64 critical hours, and from his perspective, seemed sensible. Member Olsen expressed his 65 appreciation for the current owner at 600 County Road B for being open to this proposal. 66 Applicant Representative, Mod Feders of Buetow 2 Architects, Inc. 67 Mr. Feders recognized Mueller-Bies staff, and residential neighbors in the audience, 68 available to lend their support to the project. Mr. Feders briefly reported on the 69 neighborhood open house and their overall support, as detailed in Attachment C of the 70 staff report. 71 At the request of Chair Gisselquist, Mr. Feders reviewed the projected timeline if the 72 application was approved, with the desire to demolish the residential structure yet this 73 year, with construction anticipated to start in the spring of 2014 – weather permitting. 74 At the request of Chair Gisselquist, Mr. Paschke confirmed that the proposal had been 75 reviewed by other City Departments, including the Public Works Department, with several 76 issues brought up and some resolved or adjustments made; with engineering drawings 77 pending. 78 At the request of Chair Gisselquist, Mr. Paschke further confirmed that storm water 79 management for the expanded site would be required to meet both Watershed District 80 and City Code requirements. 81 Public Comment 82 Chair Gisselquist closed the Public Hearing at 6:48 p.m.; no one spoke for or against. 83 MOTION 84 Member Olsen moved, seconded by Member Boguszewski to recommend to the 85 City Council APPROVAL of the proposed RECOMBINATION MINOR SUBDIVISION, 86 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE MAP CHANGE, AND ZONING MAP CHANGE; 87 based on the comments and findings of Sections 4-6 and the recommendation of 88 Section 7 of the staff report dated June 5, 2013. 89 As noted by Mr. Paschke, Member Boguszewski stated that the most salient factor to him 90 was the current zoning for residential apartments; and that there were few remaining 91 single-family homes in this area. Member Boguszewski noted that this eliminated any 92 concerns that the zoning change would encroach into a large residential area; and 93 recognized, in his support of the motion, that the gradual change and character of that 94 area was moving more toward a commercial orientation. 95