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03-20-2012 PCMMINUTES HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, March 20, 2012 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, Dean Kirchoff and Chairman Lofdahl. Absent: Jim Fahey and Dave Johnston Also present: Dan Jochum, Planning Director, Kent Exner, City Engineer, Marc Sebora, City Attorney and Bonnie Baumetz, Planning Coordinator 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chairman Lofdahl called for nominations to elect chairman and vice chairman. Mr. Arndt made a motion to re -elect Mr. Lofdahl for chairman. Seconded by Mr. Kirchoff, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Arndt made a motion to elect Dave Johnston for vice chairman. Seconded by Mr. Kirchoff, the motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSENT AGENDA a) Consideration of Minutes dated January 17, 2012 Mr. Arndt moved to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Kirchoff. The consent agenda was approved unanimously 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS a) CONSIDERATION OF A ONE LOT PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF DEPOT MARKETPLACE SUBMITTED BY MILES SEPPELT, HUTCHINSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, APPLICANT Chairman Lofdahl opened the hearing at 5:32 p.m. with the reading of publication #7919 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on March 7, 2012. Mr. Jochum reported the property is owned by the McLeod County Regional Rail Authority. The applicant, Miles Seppelt, EDA, has submitted a preliminary and final plat for the relocation of the railroad depot on the present site and a Farmer's Market pavilion to be located at 25 Adams Street S.E. He reminded the Commissioners the site plan for redevelopment of the depot building and Farmers Market Pavilion was reviewed and approved by City Council on January 24, 2012. He asked to act on the vacation of alley first. (refer to item b) Mr. Jochum reported staff has no issues with the request to plat several lots into one lot. He explained that combining all the lots into one lot is required to meet the standards of the zoning ordinance. Platting and vacating the alley will clean up the area and allow for relocation of the depot and construction of a pavilion and parking lot on the property. The plat will combined the original several townsite lots to one new lot. Easements per the subdivision ordinance are shown on the plat as required. He reported there is a transformer and fire hydrant located in the boulevard on the northwest corner of the lot which may have to be relocated if a trail were to be constructed along the site. Mr. Jochum commented on the two businesses to the south of the plat and the need for easements to allow them to access their lot. Minutes Planning Commission — March 20, 2012 Page 2 Brian Schmeling, Schmeling Oil, asked to verify the alley to be vacated is only the portion to the north of his property. Mr. Jochum explained there must be a formal easement with Schmeling Oil. Staff recommends approval of the request with the following recommendations: 1. The applicant shall record the final plat prior to issuance of any building permits for the project. 2. Easements may be needed for water, sanitary sewer lines and the trail after construction. If they are needed, it is the responsibility of the applicant to have the easements recorded. 3. The applicant will need to prepare a cross easement for ingress /egress to ensure Schmeling Oil has access to their property through the proposed parking lot. 4. Moving or relocating utility services will be at the property owner's expense. 5. The proposed project must comply with the standards of the I/C zoning district and the project will require a Conditional Use Permit. Mr. Jochum reported there was no well found on the property. The first phase of the environmental assessment has been completed. Discussion followed on the possibility of a well on the property. Miles Seppelt explained that Phase One of the environmental assessment did not indicate that there was a well on the property in the past. Discussion followed on the present utilities on the property. There are utilities stubbed to the property. There may have been a holding tank in the past. Mr. Kirchoff made a motion to close the hearing. Seconded by Mr. Arndt, the hearing closed at 5:43 p.m. Mr. Arndt made a motion to recommend approval of the request with staff recommendations. Seconded by Ms. Hantge, the motion carried unanimously. Chairman Lofdahl stated this item will be placed on the City Council consent agenda at their meeting held March 27, 2012, in the Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. b) CONSIDERATION OF A VACATION OF ALLEY LOCATED IN THE DEPOT MARKETPLACE PLAT REQUESTED BY MILES SEPPELT, HUTCHINSON EDA, APPLICANT Chairman Lofdahl opened the hearing at 5:34 p.m. with the reading of publication #7919 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on March 7, 2012. Mr. Jochum explained that vacating the alley will allow for relocation of the depot and construction of the marketplace pavilion. No construction is allowed over a platted alley or easement. He stated the alley has never been recognized as the depot was placed over the alley. Mr. Arndt made a motion to close the hearing. Seconded by Mr. Kirchoff, the hearing closed at 5:35 p.m. Mr. Kirchoff made a motion to recommend approval of the request to vacate the portion of the alley located in the plat. Seconded by Mr. Norton, the motion carried unanimously. Chairman Lofdahl stated this item will be placed on the City Council consent agenda at their meeting held March 27, 2012 in the Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. 6. NEW BUSINESS - None Minutes Planning Commission — March 20, 2012 Page 3 7. OLD BUSINESS - None 8. COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF a) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Mr. Jochum commented on the progress of the Focus group meetings. He reported the Transportation and Land Use groups are finishing up. He commented on the Future Land use map and reported we are not showing growth areas outside the city limits. He stated Development Staging may show outside the City limits. There will not be a lot of detail planning for outside the City. He also reported on the Downtown redevelopment and Riverfront redevelopment discussions. The transportation study is moving along. Many things have been completed since the last study. He reported there will be a public meeting on transportation issues next week. He commented on the Economic Development internal strategic planning process. He stated we are on track for completion in late summer. Mr. Jochum stated he will correspond with the townships by letter. b) Mr. Jochum reported the Shoreland training workshops are May 10th at Brainerd. Let our office know if you wish to attend. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m.