08-18-2009 PCMMINUTES
HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Hutchinson City Council Chambers
1.CALL TO ORDER 5:30 P.M.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman John Lofdahl at 5:30 p.m. with the following members
present: Chris Kovacic, Christie Rock, Jim Fahey, Chad Czmowski, Dave Johnston and Chairman
Lofdahl. Absent: Farid Currimbhoy Also present: Gary Plotz, City Administrator, Kent Exner, City
Engineer, Marc Sebora, City Attorney and Bonnie Baumetz, Planning Coordinator
2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CONSENT AGENDA
a) Consideration of Minutes dated July 21, 2009.
Mr. Czmowski moved to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Fahey.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously
4.PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) PRELIMINARY ONE LOT PLAT OF PARK TOWERS ADDITION AND VACATION OF A
PORTION OF GLEN STREET S.W. REQUESTED BY JEAN WARD, HUTCHINSON HRA
Chairman Lofdahl opened the hearing at 5:30 p.m. with the reading of publication #7769 as
published in the Hutchinson Leader on August 6, 2009.
Mr. Plotz explained the Hutchinson HRA is requesting a preliminary plat to combine several lots
into one lot and to vacate the remaining portion of Glen Street located on the lot for a repaving
project at Park Towers. The HRA plans to repave the parking lot on the northwest side of the
site, however in researching the details of the property, staff discovered that part of this area is
still right of way and does not appear to be owned by the HRA. Part of the parking lot is a
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portion of Glen Street was not vacated in 1972 when a portion of Glen Street was vacated to 3
Avenue SW. The building was constructed in 1974. The parking lot is also over property lines.
Platting the properties into one lot will remove interior lot lines and clean up existing property
line issues. He stated staff recommends approval of the preliminary plat and vacation, with the
following condition:
1. The final plat shall identify the westerly easement as a sidewalk, drainage and utility
easement.
Pete Carlson, 236 Franklin Street, asked that Park Towers not hardsurface for parking the
green space in the S.E. corner of the plat for snow removal purposes. Jean Ward, HRA stated
there are no plans for visitor parking in the corner green space at this time. Discussion followed
to add a second condition to the recommendation that the green space will not be changed by
paving for parking on the S.E. corner of the plat.
Mr. Johnston made a motion to close the hearing. Seconded by Ms. Rock, the hearing closed
at 5:40 p.m. Mr. Fahey made a motion to recommend approval of the request with staff
recommendations and adding the second recommendation to maintain the green space in the
southeast corner of the plat. Seconded by Ms. Rock , the motion carried unanimously.
Minutes
Planning Commission – August 18, 2009
Page 2
Chairman Lofdahl stated this item will be placed on the City Council consent agenda at their
meeting held August 25, 2009 in the Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.
5.NEW BUSINESS
a) LOT SPLIT OF 8.63 ACRES FROM HTI PROPERTY AT 45 WEST HIGHLAND PARK DRIVE
Mr. Plotz reported the proposed lot split would create a new 8.63 acre lot to allow that portion of
the site to be sold. The new lot would be substantially larger than the minimum requirements for
the I-1 zoning district, where a minimum of 1 acre lot size, 200-foot lot width and 250-foot lot
depth are required. The proposed lot has a primary entrance on Bluff Street, a service drive
from Bluff Street, a separate parking lot, and is also connected to the main campus through
private drives. The building on the proposed lot was recently used for educational purposes.
He explained as the property would share access with the main campus, an ingress/egress
easement description has been prepared and is shown on the attached survey. Utility
easements are also shown on the survey. The new lot will be assigned a new Bluff Street
address after subdivision.
Mr. Exner explained this site drains in the ponds to the south of the lot. He stated a stormwater
maintenance agreement is necessary to address the future shared maintenance between HTI
and the property owner of the proposed lot. He stated the driveway must be to City standards to
better delineate the opening to Bluff Street.
Mr. Dwight Bordson, Hutchinson Technology Inc., described the angle for larger trucks
movement in and out of the driveway onto Bluff Street. He stated they will work out the issues
with the City when the lot is sold. Mr. Exner stated there are a number of unkowns until the lot
is sold. He explained curb and gutter must be added to delineate the approach. The City will
work with HTI to make it work. Mr. Bordson asked if this recommendation can it be worked out
when the building is sold so the driveway will work with the use. Mr. Exner explained the curb
width at the entrance to the property must be minimized. Discussion followed on changing the
curb and driveway when the building is sold. Mr. Bordson stated he would like to split the
property now and wait to see the use. City Atty. Sebora stated the proposed language is loose
enough to allow for City review of the driveway to city standards.
Mr. Plotz stated staff recommends approval with the following recommended findings and
conditions:
1. The proposed lot split would meet the standards of the I-1 zoning district.
2. A stormwater maintenance agreement will be needed to address the future shared
maintenance between HTI and the property owner of the proposed lot.
3. The service driveway onto Bluff Street shall be constructed to City standards.
4. The lot split must be recorded at McLeod County Recorder’s Office within one year
of approval by the City.
Mr. Fahey made a motion to recommend approval of the request with staff recommendations.
Seconded by Mr. Kovasic, the motion carried unanimously. Chairman Lofdahl stated this item
will be placed on the City Council consent agenda at their meeting held August 25, 2009 in the
Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.
Mr. Fahey was excused at 5:55 p.m.
Minutes
Planning Commission – August 18, 2009
Page 3
6.OLD BUSINESS
None
7.COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
a) Ms. Baumetz updated the Commissioners on the applications for the September agenda
received to-date.
b) Mr. Plotz informed the Commissioners of a question by the Culver’s manager to increase the
number of portable/temporary signage allowed yearly.
c) Mr. Plotz reported on a meeting with members of the Hockey Association regarding the
possibility of outdoor ice at Northwoods Park. They will look at a more permanent solution in the
future.
8.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.