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12-20-1988 PCM cMINUTES HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, December 20, 1988 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tom Lyke at 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: Roland Ebent, Clinton Gruett, Marlin Torgerson, Larry Romo and Chairman Lyke. Members absent: Bruce Drahos and Bill Craig Also present: Building Official Jim Marka, City Engineer Gene Anderson, City Administrator Gary Plotz and Fire Marshal George Field. 2. MINUTES Mr. Ebent made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting dated Tuesday, Novmeber 15, 1988. Seconded by Mr. Torgerson the motion carried unani- mously. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS (a) CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE 464 REQUESTED BY CITY STAFF AND DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE REGARDING SIGNS IN C-3 DISTRICT Chairman Lyke opened the hearing at 7:31 p.m. with the reading of publication #3952 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on Thursday, December 8, 1988. The request is for the purpose—considering an amendment to Zoning Ordinance #464, Section 10.05 - 4. (3). Mr. John Bernhagen commented on the history of the ordinance and a grant for the downtown project. He explained the purpose of the Design Review Committee and explained that the committee looked at State guidelines and uniform sign regulations to enhance and beautify a community. They also reviewed sign ordinances from other communities. The committee reviewed the exsisting sign codes and proposed the amended sign ordinance. Uptown Revitalization Project Coordina4bf Connie Mangan commented on the details of the updating of the signs in the downtown area to enhance the downtown district. She explained the need of the sign ordinance and the visual continuity to the shopper. Ms. Mangan presented pictures of Annapolis stores and the look created for that downtown area. Comments were read from the following: Brown's Floral - opposing restrictions of the plastic lettering State Theater - opposing the restriction of backlit signs Buzz Burich, Citizens Bank - opposing restrictions of the plastic lettering State Farm Ins. - opposing restriction of backlit signs Aquaria Pets - opposing restrictions of the plastic lettering Scott King, Scott & Bob's Tire, commented on the backlit sign issue and the importance of changable message signs. Ted Beatty, Medicine Shoppe, camented favorably on working with the ordinance to design his building signage. 1 MINUTES - HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION 12/20/88 Russell Meade, Meade's 66, explained the use of franchise signs and logos. He is in favor of most of the ordinance and commented on the profit of signs. Mr. Meade stated that plastic letters are practical, cheap and easy to maintain as are backlit signs. He suggested that different businesses have different messages to portray to the public and agrees with control but to look at all businesses and types of business individually. Harley Albers, Albers Insurance, 18 Main St. N., commented on plastic lettering as long term adaptable and easily maintainable. He commented on backlit signs. Mr. Albers sited that his business has a rear main entrance and commented on restrictions for rear building signs. Building Official Jim Marka stated that the intent of the ordinance is to unite the downtown to attract customers with the atmosphere it would create. He also explained that plastic is not prohibited in itself if it looks like wood or cast iron. Mr. Torgerson stated the ordinance would help unite the Central Business district. He commented on the tour of Red Wing and which followed basically the same ordinance. Discussion followed on franchise signs and adjustments could be made by variance in most cases. Building Official Marka commented on interpretation of the ordinance. Discussion followed on the enforcement of the ordinance in regard to architectural design and the concept of the ordinance. Mr. Bernhagen stated there should be a cooperative effort and spirit of working together on the project. Don Erickson, Design Review Committee, commented on the sign ordinance issue and the possibility of temporary banners as message signs. Discussion followed on the parking lots in the rear of the building and development of the rear entrances and parking lots. City Administrator Gary Plotz commented on the variance procedure and flexability of the ordinance. Mr. Ebent moved to close the hearing, seconded by Mr. Torgerson the hearing closed at 8:35 p.m. Mr. Romo made a motion to recommend approval to City Council with consideration of additional research on changes in plastic lettering and backlit signs being made before the City Council meeting on December 27, 1988. Seconded by Mr. Torgerson the motion carried unanimously. (b) CONSIDERATIONOF VARIANCE REQUESTED BY LANCE HEATON FOR PARKING AT WESTSIDE GROCERY Chairman Lyke opened the hearing at 8:40 p.m. with the reading of publication #3951 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on Thursday, December 8, 1988. The request is for the purpose' of considering a 2 MINUTES - HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION 12/20/88 request for a variance by the owner to allow him to reduce the off- street parking from the required 21 spaces to 8 spaces and to provide the additional 13 spaces off-site in the Hutchinson Baptist Church across the street for a deli at Westside Grocery located at 502 Harrington and 714 5th Ave. SW. Mr. Lance Heaton, Westside Grocery commented on the proposed deli and explained the process of the church parking lot and insurance concerns by the church. Building Official Marka commented on the calculations of the parking area, 13 spaces being the higher density amount. Mr. Heaton explained the business would be mainly pick up and catering. Discussion followed on the length of the agreement with the church and the capacity of the deli being at a maximum of -12 to 15 customers. Bob Erickson, neighboring property owner, commented on the church parking lot as being satisfactory but he objects to the use of streets for parking. Discussion followed on a perpetual agreement with the church to provide off-site parking. Mr. Ebent moved to close the hearing, seconded by Mr. Torgerson the hearing closed at 9:10 p.m. Mr. Ebent made a motion to recommend approval to City Council subject to documentation being provided for the additional parking from the church across street. Seconded by Mr. Torgerson the motion carried with 4 aye votes and 1 nay vote by Mr. Romo. (c) CONSIDERATON OF VARIANCE REQUESTED BY HUTCHINSON HOSPITAL FOR EXPANSION ON PRESENT BUILDING Chairman Lyke opened the hearing at 9:12 p.m. with the reading of publication #3953 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on Thursday, December 8, 1988. The request is for the purpose of considering a request for a variance by the Hutchinson Hospital to reduce side yard setback from 25' to 5' for expansion of the existing building located at 1095 Hwy 15 So. Mr. Gib Lehman, representing Hutchinson Hospital, commented on the growth of the community and the hospital and introduced Mr. Al Bellhorn, Project Consultant from Minneapolis. Mr. Bellhorn presented the plan and commented on the proposal siting the growth to the north as functionally appropriate Discussion followed on parking and the necessity for a parking lot to the east. There was also concern of the lack of sight distance for ambulances coming out of the garage and the problems of the parking lot exiting on Freemont instead of Century Ave. 3 MINUTES - HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION 12/20/88 Mr. Bel lhorn explained the efficient use of the addition to the hopital. Mr. Romo moved to close the hearing, seconded by Mr. Torgerson the hearing closed at 9:40 p.m. Mr. Romo made a motion to recommend approval to City Council with the suggestion that parking develop to the east and entrances be on Century Ave. Seconded by Mr. Torgerson the motion carried with 4 aye votes and 1 nay vote by Mr. Ebent. 4. NEW BUSINESS (a) DISCUSSION OF ALBRECHT OIL CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT EXTENTION REQUESTED BY FIRE MARSHAL GEORGE FIELD Fire Marshal George Field commented on the history of the Conditional Use Permit concerning underground storage tanks at Albrecht Oil. He recommended that no extentions granted and commented on the Fire Code regulations and residential concerns with this business. The Planning Commission directed Mr. Field to enforce the conditions of the original conditional use permit. (b) CONSIDERATION TO BEGIN ANNEXATION PROCEEDINGS IN WAGNER PLAT AREA REQUESTED BY CITY STAFF City Engineer Gene Anderson commented on the parcels not included in the original annexation. Mr. Torgerson made a motion to recommend approval to City Council, seconded by Mr. Romo the motion carried unanimously. 5. OLD BUSINESS (a) BRW UPDATE Building Official Jim Marka commented on his discussion with Mr. Weber and the possibility of a presentation in January. (b) REPORT ON BURGER KING SITE BY CITY ATTORNEY BARRY ANDERSON No report at this time. 6. ADJOURMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. 4