01-15-2013 PCMMINUTES
HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
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: Raymond Norton, Christie Hantge, Bill Arndt, Jim Fahey, Dave Johnston and Chairman
Lofdahl. Absent: Dean Kirchoff Also present: Dan Jochum, Planning Director, 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 November 20, 2012.
Mr. Arndt moved to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Norton. The
consent agenda was approved unanimously.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
REBUILD THE MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT WITH DRIVE THRU ON THE EXISTING LOT
AT 1098 HWY 15 S
Chairman Lofdahl opened the hearing at 5:32 p.m. with the reading of publication #7963 as
published in the Hutchinson Leader on January 2, 2013.
Mr. Jochum explained the applicant is requesting a site plan review for demolition and
construction of a new McDonald's Restaurant on existing lot at 1098 Hwy 15 S. The conditional
use permit is to approve the new drive -thru with second order point. He reported the proposed
building plans meet the required setbacks. Green space is proposed through -out the
development with different types of grasses and trees. The landscaping proposed meets the
ordinance. He stated the proposed parking meets the City's parking requirement for this use.
Lighting must be indirect and shall not produce glare on adjacent properties or public right of
ways. Sign permits will be required prior to installation of the signage and must meet ordinance
requirements. Following the final construction plan submittal and City review, SWPP comments
and approval by the City Environmental Specialist must be addressed.
Mr. Jochum commented on the history of the McDonalds site. He reported in 1986, a permit was
approved for a curb opening on Century Ave. after the Subdivision Agreement was amended by
the City council in 1985. The only stipulation was that the access would be an "entrance only"
drive. A permit was granted for a drive -thru window in 1987. In September, 2010, a conditional
use permit and site plan review was approved for a second order point for the drive -thru. He
stated the access drive off Century Ave. must be limited to a 20' width. He commented on the
entrances and exits throughout the site. He noted vehicle stacking needs to be 80'. He stated
the proposal looks good for stacking. He explained the entrance off Century is in close proximity
to Hwy 15 and needs to be an entrance only for safety.
Adam Jerstad, McDonalds USA, LLC, stated they have no issues with the 20' wide entrance.
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Planning Commission —January 15, 2013
Page 2
Mr. Fahey commented on his concern with the smaller radius at the street for larger vehicles
and trailers. Mr. Exner reported the right turn radius could be broadened. There was discussion
on the fact larger vehicles can use the west entrance.
Mr. Jochum commented on the following recommendations:
1. The standards for granting a conditional use permit would be met, subject to the
conditions stated.
2. The proposed building and site improvements shall comply with the standards of the
C -4 district and the Zoning Ordinance.
3. The driveway opening off Century Ave must be an entrance only per the 1985
amended subdivision agreement.
4. There must be emergency service access around the building. Fire hydrants must
be located no farther than 400 feet from the building.
5. Exterior lighting must be indirect and shall not cause glare to adjacent properties.
6. Exterior refuse collection area must be fully screened.
7. Final landscape plan information must be provided to the City Arborist for final
review. One tree is required for each 800 square feet of green space.
8. Any signage for the use will require a sign permit.
9. The conditional use permit shall remain in effect as long as the conditions required
by the permit are observed. Any expansion or intensification of a conditional use or
change to another conditional use requires approval of a new conditional use permit.
10. If the proposed use fails to start operation within one year of the conditional use
permit being granted, the conditional use permit shall be deemed null and void and a
new conditional use permit must be applied for.
It was noted wording should be added to number 3, "and limited to 20 feet in width ".
Mr. Johnston made a motion to close the hearing. Seconded by Mr. Arndt, the hearing closed at
5:45 p.m. Mr. Johnston made a motion to recommend approval of the request with staff
recommendations to change #3 to 20' in width and modify radius if needed. Seconded by Mr.
Fahey, the motion carried unanimously. Chairman Lofdahl stated this item will be placed on the
City Council consent agenda at their meeting held January 22, 2013, in the Council Chambers
at 5:30 p.m.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a) DISCUSSION OF A 2013 PLANNING COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM
Mr. Jochum explained the topics that are listed are items that have been discussed in
Hutchinson as possibly needing to be addressed or they are topics that other communities
similar to Hutchinson have been dealing with over the recent past. He asked the Planning
Commissioners to give staff an indication which of the following items should be the focus in
2013 and he listed the items which are: Adoption of Comprehensive Plan, Sign Ordinance
Review and Possible Amendments, Interim Use Ordinance Development, Parking Ordinance
Review and Discussion, Garage Size Limits, Limit on the number of garage sales per year,
Tube Truss/ Hoop Building Issues and Solar Amendments. He asked the commissioners if
there were other topics that Staff should be including on this list.
Mr. Norton commented on limiting the duration of garage sales. Mr. Jochum commented on the
difficulty in limiting garage sales. He stated they are difficult to track. He explained the
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Planning Commission —January 15, 2013
Page 3
Tube /Truss hoop building Ordinance is unclear to what a hoop building is. He noted it would be
beneficial to clarify the ordinance as to what is allowed or not.
John Paulson, Regulatory Specialist, commented on solar amendments. He stated there is a
Solar challenge which began in 2012. There is a State grant to put an amendment in place to
make it easier to use solar energy. He noted the current ordinance does not touch on solar
energy. He reported the City should investigate the possibility of an ordinance. Mr. Jochum
explained staff would like Planning Commission feedback on the level of regulation in
Hutchinson. Mr. Paulson reported the US Dept of energy have resources that can be used. Mr.
Jochum explained we should be focusing on an ordinance to regulate types of solar ordinances.
Discussion followed on the need to proceed with the concept. There was further discussion on
geothermal which as Mr. Paulson explained is with the wells ordinances.
Mr. Jochum asked for feedback on the other items. He asked for half the list to tackle this year.
It was suggested to look at: Adopting the Comp plan, the Sign Ordinance, Garage size, Garage
sales and Solar Amendments. Discussion followed on the parking ordinance.
6. OLD BUSINESS
7. COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
a) Mr. Jochum updated the Commissioners on the housing analysis available. He explained the
study reports the City looks good for new single family housing. The study shows a demand for
senior housing and attached apartment buildings. He reported there is much information on
demographics of Hutchinson. This study is important for completion of the comprehensive plan.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business motion by Mr. Johnston, second by Mr. Arndt, the meeting
adjourned at 6:10 p.m.