11-18-2014 PCMMINUTES
HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
5:30 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER 5:30 P.M.
Chair Hantge called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. Members in bold were present
Chair Hantge, Commissioner Lofdahl, Commissioner Johnston, Commissioner
Kirchoff, Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Fahey, and Commissioner Arndt.
Also present were Dan Jochum, Director of Planning, Kent Exner, City Engineer,
and Kyle Dimler, Planning and Building Specialist.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 21, 2014
Motion by Commissioner Norton, second by Commissioner Kirchoff to approve
minutes as presented. Motion was approved unanimously.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A 1,500 SQ. FT. DETACHED GARAGE LOCATED AT
55 NORTH HIGH DR. NE, SUBMITTED BY LUCAS RUNKE AND
MATTHEW RUNKE, APPLICANTS.
Commissioner Norton read a statement establishing the procedure to be followed
during the public hearing portion of the evening's meeting.
Chair Hantge stated the proposal.
Mr. Dan Jochum, City Planner addressed the Commission. Mr. Jochum reviewed
the applicant's submittal documents and the site on which the garage is proposed
to be placed.
Mr. Jochum noted staff recommends approval as noted in Staff report. Mr.
Jochum noted Items A through C, which are required to be met to for the issuing
of a conditional use permit. Mr. Jochum also noted there are 6 conditions Staff
recommends including in the approval of this application.
Commissioner Fahey asked to verify lot coverage of approximately 12%.
Mr. Jochum noted the size of the existing lot and that lot coverage will not be an
issue for this property. Mr. Jochum also noted an additional curb cut will not be
allowed and the applicant will have to use the existing curb cut to access the
property.
Minutes
Hutchinson Planning Commission
November 18, 2014
Page 2
Commissioner Norton asked to verify there is enough space on the west side of
the house to allow the required vehicle access to the proposed garage.
Mr. Russ Rasco, of 66 North High Dr. NE addressed the Commission. Mr. Rasco
expressed concern with the size of proposed structure. Mr. Rasco stated there are
no houses on that street with 1500 sq. ft. living space, let alone a garage of this
size. Mr. Rasco noted concern for activity at the site and runoff from this
building. Mr. Rasco stated this area already has drainage problems and believes
the City has not done anything to alleviate this. Mr. Rasco noted this property
and the adjacent one are the low spots in this area and have historically held
drainage and this will be problematic if more runoff water is created. Would also
like to make sure late night activity is kept to a minimum.
Mr. Kent Exner, City Engineer, addressed the Commission. Mr. Exner noted this
area was annexed over a period of time, North High Dr. is a County road, and this
is a portion of town that was never formally developed to meet any City
development standards. The same amount of rain will hit the roof as has hit the
ground and Mr. Exner does not believe this will compound existing drainage
problems.
Mr. Rasco stated drainage is a large enough issue that one neighbor in this area
brings in a pump to move runoff water to a drain pond area that used to be part of
the former Burns Manor site.
Mr. Exner noted the pond is a private pond on privately owned property. From a
City standpoint it is a private matter.
Mr. Rasco asked if this proposed project would be completed in a timely manner.
Mr. Lucas Runke of 55 North High Dr. Addressed the Commission. Mr. Runke
stated the project will be finished. Mr. Runke stated the proposed location was
chosen because it is the high spot of the property and he and his fellow applicant
considered their neighbors when locating the proposed garage on the site to
minimize impact to the neighbors.
Commissioner Fahey asked if Mr. Runke would build a larger building if he
could.
Mr. Runke he absolutely would build larger if he could.
Commissioner Fahey expressed concern about the applicant's ability to clear the
southwest corner of the house on this property with a full-size truck and trailer,
using the existing driveway access.
Mr. Runke noted as North High Dr. is a county road there is not a curb in place
making the access a little more forgiving. Mr. Runke stated the drainage
problems in the area are not as severe as Mr. Rasco implies.
Minutes
Hutchinson Planning Commission
November 18, 2014
Page 3
Commissioner Fahey asked Mr. Exner if the applicant would be able to move or
expand the curb cut during possible future development of the road to a more
suitable location.
Mr. Exner stated the City standard is to have a maximum of 24' driveway width at
the right of way. The City has deviated from this in the past. In the future, if the
City were re -constructing the street Staff would be willing to work with
homeowners to provide adequate access to properties.
Mr. Matthew Runke of 55 North High Dr. NE addressed the Commission. Mr.
Runke noted the tree cover on the west side is thick and some could be removed
to allow more access if necessary. Mr. Runke also stated that he hasn't seen the
flooding problem as severe in this area that Mr. Rasco described.
Motion by Commissioner Johnston, second by Commissioner Norton to close the
public hearing at 5:54 pm.
Motion by Commissioner Fahey, second by Commissioner Kirchoff to approve
the application with 6 Staff recommendations. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Motion to close hearing — Motion to approve with staff recommendations — Motion to reject
B. CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A
STORAGE USE LOCATED AT 125 ERIE STREET SE IN AN I/C ZONING
DISTRICT, SUBMITTED BY WILDFLOWER PROPERTIES, LLC,
APPLICANT.
Mr. Dan Jochum, City Planner, addressed the Commission. Mr. Jochum noted he
has been working with Mr. McDonald on the correct addressing of the property.
The most correct address is 115 Erie St. and the Resolutions and other documents
will be modified to bear this address. The discrepancy in the address of this
property is partly due to tax combination of older lots in town.
Mr. Jochum stated the proposed use will be a small office and storage space for a
business using courier vans/busses. All uses in I/C district require a C.U.P.
Mr. Jochum noted the building currently does not have water/sewer services to
the building. Mr. Jochum also noted the front yard space of this site will need to
be paved as part of change of use.
Mr. Jochum stated staff recommends approval with the 8 staff recommendations
indicated in the Commission packet.
Chair Hantge asked if outdoor storage is intended to be used at this site. Mr.
Jochum noted the applicant should be asked for clarification.
Minutes
Hutchinson Planning Commission
November 18, 2014
Page 4
Commissioner Fahey asked to verify what the SAC/WAC fees would be for this
type of land use.
Mr. Jochum stated 1 unit / 7,000 sq. ft. and the proposed use is below that
threshold, so the applicant would be charged for 1 unit and then also pays for
permitting and contractor costs.
Ian McDonald addressed the Commission 20685 Belle Lake Rd Hutchinson. Mr.
McDonald stated that the tenant has leased the building beginning the end of
October. Mr. McDonald also stated it may be possible in the future to need
outdoor storage or possibly an addition which would need to go through the
appropriate permitting process.
Mr. Jochum noted outdoor storage would need to be screened by a fence and
further stated it may be prudent to add a condition to the Resolution stating
applicant may work with staff for the fence screening without having to again
apply for a C.U.P. for outdoor storage.
Mr. McDonald stated he intends to have a clean property that is appealing to the
neighbors.
Mr. Jochum noted the applicant has been very accommodating in meting
requirements of the process.
Motion by Commissioner Fahey, second by Commissioner Kirchoff to close the
public hearing at 6:05 pm.
Motion by Commissioner Norton to approve the application with staff
recommendations and an additional Condition #9 stating that an additional C.U.P.
would not be required for outdoor storage. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Kirchoff. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion to close hearing — Motion to approve with staff recommendations — Motion to reject
C. CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A
STORAGE USE LOCATED AT 135 MONROE STREET SE IN AN I/C
ZONING DISTRICT, SUBMITTED BY WILDFLOWER PROPERTIES, LLC,
APPLICANT.
Mr. Dan Jochum, City Planner, addressed the Commission. Mr. Jochum stated the
proposed use is storage and not necessarily vehicle storage. The use at this site
would be changing from a lumber yard to a more industrial storage.
Mr. Jochum stated Staff recommends approval with the 6 noted conditions
included in the Planning Commission packet.
Minutes
Hutchinson Planning Commission
November 18, 2014
Page 5
Commissioner Johnston asked from where access to this property would be
provided.
Mr. Jochum indicated the property would be accessed from driveways on the east
and west sides of the existing building.
Motion by Commissioner Fahey, seconded by Commissioner Kirchoff to close
the public hearing at 6:09 pm.
Motion by Commissioner Kirchoff, seconded by Commissioner Fahey to approve
with staff recommendations. Approved unanimously.
Motion to close hearing — Motion to approve with staff recommendations — Motion to reject
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
6. COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
A. Upcoming Meetings
Mr. Jochum noted no new applications have been received yet for December
meeting.
Mr. Jochum noted 21 new home permits have been issued to date for 2014 and
there is a significant amount of commercial projects on the horizon
7. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Norton, seconded by Commissioner Johnston to
adjourn at 6:12 pm.