04-17-2001 PCM c
MINUTES
HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, April 17, 2001
1. CALL TO ORDER 5:30 P.M.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Arndt at 5:30 p.m. with the following members present: Jason
Olson, Jim Haugen, Dean Kirchoff, Lynn Otteson, Jeff Jones and Brandon Fraser. Also present: Julie
Wischnack, AICP, Director of Planning/Building/Zoning; Heather Bieniek, Planning Coordinator, and Dick
Schieffer, City Attorney.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Haugen moved to approve the minutes for the March 20, 2001 meeting with the change that Mr. Haugen
seconded the motion to approve the conditional use permit for the Bed and Breakfast, not Mr. Kirchoff. Mr.
Olsen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) CONSIDERATION OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR HUTCHINSON PUBLIC SCHOOL'S (PARK
ELEMENTARY, 33 GROVE ST. SW), TO CONSTRUCT A 13,600 SQ FT PARKING LOT FOR THE USE
OF THE SCHOOL'S VEHICLES (FOR THE DISABLED).
Chairman Arndt opened the hearing at 5:35 p.m.
Brian Mohr, Hutchinson Public Schools, stated that the School District was going to withdraw their
Conditional Use Permit application for the parking lot. He also stated that he would like the City and the
City Attorney to decide what the school district is allowed to do with the Park Elementary building and
the land around it.
Mr. Schieffer replied that he thought the School's Attorney would be equipped to decide what to do with
the land. He also commented that he does not want the City involved with this particular title issue and
there is a lot of room for difference of opinion.
Mr. Mohr asked if the Commission and the City if they could put the statement into writing that they do
not want to be involved first hand, so he is not the messenger.
Ms. Wischnack replied that the City would do that.
b.) CONSIDERATION OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR MEADOW LINKS GOLF COURSE FOR
AN ADDITION OF TWO HOLES LOCATED AT 940 NORTH HIGH DRIVE NW.
Chairman Arndt opened the hearing at 5:50 p.m. as published in the Hutchinson Leader on Tuesday,
April 10, 2001.
There was no one present to represent Meadow Links Golf Course.
Ms. Bieniek presented the request and stated that staff recommended approval with conditions.
Mr. Jones moved to close the public hearing at 5:55 p.m. Mr. Kirchoff seconded the motion. The motion
to close the hearing carried unanimously
Mr. Jones moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit with the conditions staff recommended. Mr.
Kirchoff seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
c.) CONSIDERATION OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR HUTCHINSON PUBLIC SCHOOL'S
(HUTCHINSON HIGH SCHOOL, 1200 ROBERTS RD SW), TO EXPAND AND RECONSTRUCT AN
EXISTING PARKING LOT. THE CURRENT LOT IS 6,850 SQ FT AND THE NEW LOT WOULD BE
9,780 SQ FT.
Chairman Arndt opened the hearing at 6:00 p.m. as published in the Hutchinson Leader on Thursday,
April 5, 2001.
Minutes
Planning Commission - April 17, 2001
Page 2
Ms. Wischnack explained the request and the recommendations that staff had. She stated that she
spoke with the fire chief and he said that 80 feet of fire lane is required in front of the school. She also
stated that staff would recommend approval if one of the revised plans were chosen.
Mr. Mohr stated that the existing sidewalk is 7 % feet wide and the proposed sidewalk would be 13 feet
wide, would that constitute for a fire lane? Ms. Wischnack replied that it would not because it is not a
driveable area.
Mr. Jones asked why or who would the additional parking be used for. Mr. Mohr replied that the school
does not really have a front entrance so this is the one they consider the front. The extra parking would
be for visitors' during and after school hours. To control the students and faculty so they are not parking
there the school district is considering parking stickers for the next academic year. The lot would also be
used for loading and unloading handicap accessible busses and busses for extracurricular activities.
Mr. Arndt stated that for most of the sporting events the busses unload in the proposed area, we would
be making a bigger problem if we would have full parking on both sides. Mr. Fraser asked what Mr.
Mohr's thoughts were. Mr. Mohr replied that the High School parking lots are a mess. They do not have
a lot of options, trying to make the proposed lot a front entrance would increase security by controlling
entrances into the building.
There was general discussion about traffic issues and the two options presented by staff. Mr. Haugen
asked if the school would still proceed even if they were gaining only 6 or 7 spaces. Mr. Mohr replied
that they would because something needs to be done with the lot, regardless.
Mr. Kirchoff moved to close the public hearing at 6:25 p.m. Mr. Olsen seconded the motion. The motion
to close the hearing carried unanimously.
Mr. Kirchoff moved to approve the conditional use permit with staff recommendations and required option
#2 for the construction. Mr. Haugen seconded the motion. The motion to approve, with conditions
carried 6-1 with Mr. Arndt voting against.
4. NEW BUSINESS
a.) APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TASK
FORCE.
Bill Arndt and Lynn Otteson volunteered to be on the task force.
5. OLD BUISINESS
a.) Country Club Terrace
General discussion about if the Board would like a perimeter survey done. Ms. Wischnack stated that
most of the homes were only 2-6' from the property line, the setback is supposed to be 30'. She also
stated that we should be consistent with the rest of the city.
Mr. Fraser stated that we should request a survey. Mr. Kirchoff also stated that we should advise them to
get a survey done.
6. COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
Staff announced that on May 1, 2001 there is a citywide meeting for the kickoff of the Comprehensive Plan
7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Jones moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Mr. Kirchoff
seconded the motion. Motion carried.