Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - 10/03/2023 (Joint Workshop)MINUTES
JOINT MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 — 4:30 p.m.
Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: Chair Paul Konsor, Vice Chair Andrew Tapper, Teri Lehner
Commissioners Absent: Eric Hagen, Melissa Robeck
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Lloyd Hilgart, Charlotte Gabler, Tracy Hinz
Councilmembers Absent: Sam Murdoff, Lee Martie
Staff Present: Rachel Leonard, Angela Schumann, Matt Leonard, Steve Grittman,
Ron Hackenmueller, Hayden Stensgard
1. Call to Order
Planning Commission Chair Paul Konsor joint workshop of the Monticello Planning
Commission and City Council to order at 4:30 p.m. A quorum of both the Planning
Commission and City Council were present.
2. Concept Stage Planned Unit Development Proposal for a New Municipal Public Works
Facility. PIDs: 213-100-151400, 213-100-153100
Applicant: City of Monticello
Community Development Director Angela Schumann mentioned that this was a
concept Planned Unit Development review meeting aimed at providing helpful and
constructive feedback to the development team that presents the concept. Notices
were sent out for this meeting to the surrounding area, where the development is
proposed. Ms. Schumann noted that the meeting did not involve a public hearing,
but if time allows, residents present may address the group.
City Planner Steve Grittman provided an overview of the agenda item to the
Planning Commission, City Council and the public. The proposed Public Works facility
is to be located along School Boulevard on about 12 acres, west of the Jefferson
Commons commercial area. The site plans reviewed with this concept meeting
included a roughly 91,000 square foot building layout, with about 67,000 square feet
for maintenance, storage, and vehicle parking area and 24,000 square feet of office
space and things alike. The site has split land use designations as described within
the City's Comprehensive Plan guidance, which are Mixed Neighborhood and Mixed -
Density Residential. The two parcels do not currently have a City zoning district, as
part of the land use process will require annexing the parcels within to the City.
The goals set forth in this concept PUD review of the proposed new public works
facility and location are to provide the following: provide preliminary feedback on
the concept plan in collaboration between the applicant, general public, Planning
Commission, and City Council; provide a forum for public comment on the PUD prior
to a requirement for extensive engineering and other plans; provide a forum to
identify potential issues and benefits of the proposal which can be addressed at
succeeding stages of PUD design and review.
Mayor Hilgart asked for clarification on the extension of Redford Lane to the
southwest. Ms. Schumann clarified that the westerly entrance to the public works
site is from a southerly extension of Redford Lane. This will be a public street which
is intended to be extended further from the proposed site into the remaining vacant
area with development. The proposed southerly Redford Lane extension is offset
from where Redford Lane currently meets School Boulevard to the north.
Mr. Konsor asked if there was a way to see what the proposed outlot would look
like. Public Works Director/City Engineer Matt Leonard displayed an aerial image of
the overall site and noted that the remaining area that can be further developed is
roughly 50 acres.
Ms. Schumann also noted that the vacant land to the north of School Boulevard that
is included within the easterly parcel, will need to remain vacant due to the
retention pond and the overhead powerline easements.
Mayor Hilgart asked if there was any stormwater that would be created with this
concept that can flow north to that existing pond. Madeline Peters, of Oertel
Architects, said that there is roughly 6 acres within the proposed project area that
could be diverted north to that existing pond.
Anrew Tapper pointed out that to the south of the proposed location is a
manufactured home park, but that there is opportunity for expansion to the
southwest once that time comes. Mr. Leonard clarified that it is not intended for
expansion to be in that area either, as the outlot created with platting the property
would be available for private development.
Mayor Hilgart asked if there would be any portion of the facility that would be
located on the City -owned property to the east of the area of discussion. Andrew
Cooper, of Oertel Architects, clarified that no portion of the current site plan
proposed would be on that property to the east, and further stated that there is a
large grove of trees located on that property line that would be utilized as a buffer.
Though there is the possibility that when needed, the public works site could expand
easterly towards the water tower along School Boulevard.
Mayor Hilgart asked what the reasoning is for starting on the west side and
expanding east, rather than the other way around. Mr. Cooper stated that the large
grove of trees to the east would require a substantial amount of investment to
replace, in order to maintain compliance with the City's zoning ordinance.
Additionally, utilizing the existing vegetation there for a buffer will help the City save
money on the initial landscape and screening requirements.
Mr. Grittman added that starting the development more towards the west adds
value to that outlot parcel for development, as it would then have access to street
frontage.
Mayor Hilgart also added that it will be beneficial to set that east land aside for
expansion, in case the outlot is developed into housing and there is no room to grow
west, that land to the east will be available for expansion purposes.
Mayor Hilgart asked if there will be significant buffering to the south for the
residential neighborhood that abuts the proposed site. Mr. Cooper confirmed, and
further stated that there is a required 50-foot minimum setback for yards adjacent
to residential zoning districts.
On the architecture and design of the building, Mr. Cooper pointed out that the
walls of the building are likely to be a pre -cast concrete style, and the office area of
the facility will be designed in two stories.
Mayor Hilgart asked if a finish on the exterior concrete walls like what is at the
Monticello Fire Station could be utilized for this facility. Mr. Cooper confirmed and
said there are a number of options and styles that could be used to enhance the
concrete exterior walls.
Mayor Hilgart further stated that he would be interested in design and color scheme
cohesiveness between the City's building around town, and would be interested in
seeing this building look similar to the exterior of the Monticello Fire Station.
Councilmember Charlotte Gabler asked what the base zoning district would be for
the Planned Unit Development. Ms. Schumann clarified that the land use
designation for this site would be amended to Public and Institutional (PI), and the
zoning district would likely reflect that of the R-3, or R-4 residential districts.
City Administrator Rachel Leonard clarified that the purpose of the color scheme in
this concept is to complement the Monticello Community Center.
Councilmember Gabler agreed, but also said that accents of colors found on the fire
station would also be of interest to her.
Mr. Leonard said that the details being discussed at this meeting will be further
clarified and resolved on a construction manager is hired to review specifics.
Councilmember Gabler asked whether they could add windows to the top portion of
the vehicle storage area to break up the wall, visually, and allow for some natural
lighting in those areas. Mr. Cooper said that is certainly something they can
incorporate into the design.
Councilmember Gabler asked if it is intended to have a "green" roof, that supports
energy efficiency, in other areas of the site. Mr. Cooper said that skylights will be
planned to be incorporated into the project, particularly in the office space. A green
roof has not been discussed, but the roof is planned to be as energy efficient as
possible, related to controlling heating and cooling of the building.
Mr. Leonard also mentioned that the architects are looking at capabilities of utilizing
solar energy on the proposed facilities buildings.
Councilmember Tracy Hinz said that it will be important to have enough information
provided to City officials and staff to provide those answers to why do we need to build
this facility, when the community asks.
Mr. Tapper agreed, and said that understanding what we have currently, and why we
need this added space in the future, will be important for that conversation.
No action was taken on the item.
3. Adiournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
Recorded By: Hayden Stensgard
Date Approved: November 6, 2023
ATTEST:
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Angela Scl
unity Development Director