02-18-1985 PCM cMINUTES
HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1985
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Hutchinson Planning Commission was called to
order by Chairman Larry Romo at 7:30 p.m., with the following members
present: Marlin Torgerson, Elsa Young, Roland Ebent, Don Erickson, Tom
Lyke, Shu -Mei Hwang and Chairman Romo. Members absent: None. Also
present: City Administrator Gary D. Plotz, Building Official Homer
Pittman, Fire Marshal George Field and City Attorney James Schaefer.
2. MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting, dated Tuesday, January 15, 1985,
were approved as presented upon a motion by Mr. Torgerson. Seconded by
Mr. Erickson, the motion carried unanimously.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
(a) CONTINUATION OF REZONING REQUEST AS SUBMITTED BY ROBERT HORNICK
(C-2)
Chairman Romo reconvened the hearing at 7:30 p.m. with the reading
of publication #3361 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on
Thursday, January 3, 1985. The request is to rezone property
located at 29 4th Ave. N.W. and a portion of the lot located at 402
Main St. North, from R-2 to C-2 for the purpose of providing a
parking lot to the adjoining Gas Hutch. Mr. Hornick also proposes
some upgrading and expansion of the present station.
There was no one present regarding the request. As there had been
no change from an earlier request which the Planning Commission had
recommended be rejected, it was the consensus of the Commission to
proceed. Dr. Lyke made a motion to close the public hearing at 7:32
p.m. Seconded by Mr. Erickson, the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Erickson made a motion to recommend to City Council that the
rezoning as requested be rejected. Seconded by Mr. Torgerson, the
motion carried unanimously.
(b) CONTINUATION OF REZONING REQUEST AS SUBMITTED BY ROBERT HORNICK
(IC -1)
Chairman Romo reconvened the hearing at 7:32 p.m. with the reading
of publication 43364 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on
Thursday, January 3, 1985. The request is to rezone property
lcoated at 35 4th Ave. N.W. from R-2 to IC -1.
There was no one present regarding the request. In discussion at
the previous hearing, it was determined that zoning this one lot
IC -1 would be spot zoning, and the Planning Commission would prefer
to consider IC -1 zoning for both areas. Mr. Torgerson made a
motion to close the hearing at 7:35 p.m. Seconded by Mrs. Young,
the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Torgerson made a motion to
recommend to City Council that the request be rejected. Seconded
by Mr. Erickson, the motion carried unanimously.
(c) CONSIDERATION OF VARIANCE AS REQUESTED BY ROBERT MCGEE
Chairman Romo opened the hearing at 7:35 p.m. with the reading of
publication #3378 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on
Thursday, February 7, 1985. The request is for a 7.81 variance to
allow the construction of a proposed upper level onto an existing
basement foundation, with an attached 18' by 25' garage and a
front porch, 81 from the frontyard property line, on property
located at 173 5th Ave. N.E. It was determined that the average
frontyard setback for that area is 15.81.
City Administrator Plotz stated that the Planning Commission had
previously approved a sideyard variance for the same structure. At
the time of that request, the survey did not show the garage
extending to the front or the front porch. When staff was made
aware of those plans, it was determined another variance is
required.
Mr. Robert McGee was present to explain the request. He raised a
question about the necessity of the variance. There was discussion
about whether or not the "street line" was to be used or the
"property line". Building Official Pittman maintained that the
variance was necessary because of the the average setbacks of the
surrounding homes. It was also noted that there was an unusually
long boulevard in this area - 221. Mr. Ebent raised a question
about adequate parking. It was decided parking was available.
After discussion, Mr. Torgerson made a motion to close the hearing
at 7:44 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Hwang, the motion carried
unanimously. Mr. Torgerson made a motion to recommend to City
Council approval of the variance as requested. Seconded by Mr.
Hwang, the motion carried unanimously.
(d) CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AS REQUESTED BY FARID
CURRIMBHOY (MONTESSORI SCHOOL/DAY CARE CENTER)
Chairman Romo opened the heairng at 7:45 p.m. with the reading of
publication #3379 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on
Thursday, February 7, 1985. The request is for a conditional use
permit to allow the operation of a Montessori School/Day Care
Center in the lower level of a proposed duplex on property located
at 504 East Highland Drive in an R-2 zone.
City Administrator Plotz explained that this was similar to the
request considered at the January meeting, but was for a different
location. He also noted that the new plan had one less classroom
so less parking was required.
Mr. Farid Currimbhoy was present to state that he had spoken to the
neighboring property owners and their only request was for a "slow"
traffic sign to be erected to protect neighborhood children as well
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as those who might be attending the school. He further explained
that after the project received City approval, it must still be
approved by the Department of Human Services.
Mrs. Lyle Emme, 524 Highland Park Drive, stated that as neighbors,
they would have no objection to the proposed school/day care
operation.
Mr. Ebent asked about the difference between a nursery school and a
day care center regarding "home occupation" and what is allowed by
our ordinance. City Attorney Schaefer responded that "home
occupation" is defined as something that is "incidental to the
residence and occupies a certain percentage (25%)." He further
stated that as this proposal is for the lower level to be occupied
as a nursery school and the upper level a home, it was not
incidental to the residence. Nursery schools and day care
operations are required to meet the same safety requirements by the
State. A difference is that the nursery school may require more
certified personnel.
After discussion, Mr. Erickson made a motion to close the hearing
at 7: 50 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Torgerson, the motion carried
unanimously. Mr. Erickson made a motion to recommend to City
Council approval of the conditional use permit as requested.
Seconded by Mr. Torgerson, the motion carried unanimously.
(e) CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENT TO SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE 4466, SECTION
4.25
Chairman Romo opened the hearing at 7:55 p.m. with the reading of
publication 443380 as published in the Hutchinson Leader on
Thursday, February 7, 1985. The proposal is to amend Subdivision
Ordinance #466 Section 4.25, to increase the numbers of days al-
lowed before a final plat must be filed with the register of deeds
after it has been approved by City Council.
After discussion, Mr. Torgerson moved to close the hearing at 7:57
p.m. Seconded by Mrs. Young, the motion carried unanimously. Mr.
Torgerson made a motion to recommend to City Council approval of
changing the 90 days to 270 days as proposed. Seconded by Mr.
Ebent, the motion carried unanimously.
4. OLD BUSINESS
(a) REVIEW OF SITE PLAN REQUIREMENT FOR REZONING REQUESTS
Mr. Gunnar Isberg, Planning Consultant from Northfield Minnesota,
presented alternative approaches for requiring site plans as part
of the development process as it relates to rezoning. He
supplemented his presentation with written handouts detailing the
alternatives and answered questions of those in attendance.
After the discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that
they would like to study the alternatives as presented before
making a recommendation to the City Council.
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5. NEW BUSINESS
(a) ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chairman Larry Romo nominated Mr. Roland Ebent as Chairman,
Mr. Shu -Mei Hwang as Vice -Chairman and Mrs. Elsa Young as Secretary
of the Planning Commission for 1985. Dr. Lyke made a motion that
nominations be closed. Seconded by Mr. Erickson, the motion carried
unanimously. Dr. Lyke made a motion that the board cast a
unanimous vote for the ballot as presented. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Erickson, and unanimously carried.
(b) CONSIDERATION OF PRELIMINARY PLAT OF "HASSAN HEIGHTS"
(Within two mile radius of City)
City Administrator Plotz explained that as requested by the
Director of Engineering, the City had recently been requiring
official word from the Town Board where the proposed plat is
located before taking any action. Mr. Torgerson made a motion to
continue this request until the next regular meeting of the
Planning Commission. Seconded by Mr. Hwang, the motion carried
unanimously.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Torgerson made a motion to adjourn
the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Seconded by Mrs. Young, the motion carried
unanimously.
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