Planning Commission Minutes 03-02-2010MINUTES
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
6:00 PM
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: William Spartz, Barry Voight, Lloyd Hilgart, and Charlotte Gabler
Council Liaison: Susie Wojchouski
Staff: Angela Schumann
1. Call to order.
WA
Chairman Spartz called the meeting to order noting the absence of Commissioner
Dragsten and the presence of Council Liaison Wojchouski.
The minutes for these meetings have not yet been submitted for consideration.
3. Citizens Comments: None
4. Consideration of adding items to the agenda: None
5. Public Hearing - Consideration to recommend adoption of the 2010 City of
Monticello Zoning Map.
Community Development Director Angela Schumann stated that each year the City is
asked to formally adopt an official zoning map. She presented the 2010 City of
Monticello Zoning Map as was included in the Planning Commission's packet. She
specified that the Schluender property was annexed to the city and has been added to the
zoning map. This property was automatically zoned as agricultural open space, and
when platted, will be processed as a rezone request.
She also indicated that the City discovered that the base map requires some updating
in relationship to the interchange in 7b Street so they will be making some changes to
the base map make sure that the alignments are correct. Schumann also noted that
zoning is current on this map but that it will be updated later in the year as a result of the
zoning code revision currently underway. The
Planning Commission Minutes - 3/2/2010
City's consultant, MFRA, is also completing an individual parcel by parcel GIS
map of the city's zoning as a benefit of the zoning ordinance rewrite.
Schumann was asked if the middle school area was zoned appropriately. She
stated that the current zoning at the middle school is a hold over from previous
actions. Properties were never rezoned. Zoning is accurate based on the records
that the City has.
Commissioner Spartz then opened the meeting to hear any public comments. As
there were no comments, the public hearing was closed.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER VOIGHT TO RECOMMEND THE
ADOPTION OF THE 2010 ZONING MAP.
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HILGART. MOTION
CARRIED, 4 -0.
Consideration to review Conditional Use Permit for Outdoor Sales as related to an
Outdoor Volleyball Facility at River City Extreme.
Schumann stated that, in March 2009, the Planning Commission and Council
reviewed a request for the Conditional Use Permit for Outdoor Sales as related to
an Outdoor Volleyball Facility at River City Extreme. City Council approved the
CUP request and assigned seven conditions. One condition was that the
Commission complete a review of the CUP in November 2009. The review was
identified as a need in order to determine proper compliance with the approved
conditions. In staffs initial review, the applicant has complied with conditions
three, four and five. The applicant is in attendance to talk about conditions one,
two and six. Condition one requires that all outdoor service activity is to occur
within an enclosed or fenced area. Condition two required that the applicant
consider netting in addition to a vinyl coated chain link fence around the
perimeter of the court area. The fence was proposed by the applicant but not
required by the commission. Condition six requires applicant comply with the
balance of conditions in the report of March 10, 2009.
Schumann referred the Commission to a copy of the site plan and some images
illustrating the conditions at the facility. She stated that the court perimeter does
conform to the site plan as submitted. She noted that the site inspection shows that
a chain link fence has not been installed, but that there is netting in place and it is
secured. Planning Commission, in previous minutes and discussion, had
expressed some concern about how access is controlled from the site. It was
intended that all access would come into the court area from the doors from the
facility and that there would be no movement of patrons in and out of court area
to the exterior perimeter of the site. There is a gap in the netting that could
technically allow some of that movement but Schumann suggested that the
applicant would clarify how access is controlled.
2
Planning Commission Minutes- 3/2/2010
Schumann stated that there is no action needed by the Planning Commission but
that, at this time, the applicant is looking for feedback and direction on conditions.
She pointed out that this is not an interim use permit. It is rather a Conditional
Use Permit that was granted and runs with the land unless the planning
commission finds serious fault and choose to begin revocation procedures.
Commission had no initial questions for Schumann.
Applicant Craig Walter, partner at River City Extreme spoke to address
conditions one, two and six and future plans of the facility. Walter said that the
facility opted to use mesh netting instead of chain link fence in an effort to see
how it would work since they were offering volleyball for the first time. River
City Extreme didn't want to have the expense of the fence in case volleyball
didn't work out for the facility.
Commissioner Voight asked how an enclosed area is defined and if mesh counts
as a fence. Schumann responded that it is enclosed area and pointed out that the
primary issue is how the facility is controlling access. The mesh netting goes from
building edge to building edge with the exception of a small gap on the southwest
corner. The garbage enclosure is placed there throughout the season so that
patrons cannot move in and out of that area. The area is also staffed when
volleyball is offered. The netting does not provide screening. Walter explained
that the netting is there to control the flow of people to volleyball area and to hold
in volleyballs. The mesh has served its purpose. River City Extreme plans to
continue to offer volleyball this season. Walter pointed out that volleyball
participation was light most of the season so there wasn't an issue with getting
patrons out of the enclosure before it got dark.
Commissioner Spartz asked about future expansion plans. Walters stated that the
volleyball area was originally planned to be a banquet facility and, although that
plan is still in the works, it is not underway at this time.
Walters pointed out that he isn't the chain link fence but the facility just doesn't
see a need for it. From a business standpoint, Walters said there had been no
complaints from neighbors. Schumann pointed out that while the City had a
request for further documentation about the use of the facility, it has not received
any formal complaints regarding the volleyball facility related to this CUP.
When City approves the CUP they send a record of proceedings to the County
that is recorded against the property. In this record, condition two stands and is
subject to a compliance check. Angela recommends that the Commission either
require a subsequent review or check in point with the applicant to determine if
condition two need be met at a later date or that the applicant request a formal
amendment to the CUP which would require a public hearing. The Commission
might also decide to strike that condition completely.
Planning Commission Minutes — 3/2/2010
Commissioner Voight pointed out that the netting seems to have served the
purpose and may be a better option than a chain link fence. Commissioner Voight
clarified that the vinyl coated chain link was originally applicant's idea and that
the Commission's condition, that there be a net in place, has been met. Schumann
suggested that the Commission may be able to make the case that the condition
relates more to the netting than the fence. She suggested a consult with the City
Attorney to see if they could procedurally amend the CUP without requiring a
public hearing. Commissioner Spartz recommended that Schumann look into that
option. Commissioner Voight said that it seems like a technicality and thinks the
Commission should sign off on it. Commissioner Spartz stated that he hoped that
they could get more volleyball teams involved and make it a success.
Community Development Director's Report.
Schumann pointed out that a State of the City address was presented to the
Chamber of Commerce and that all businesses in Monticello were invited to
attend. The State of the City address was tailored to business and property
owners and was well - received. City staff plans to present this update again before
the City Council meeting on March 8, 2010 and the Planning Commission is
invited to attend. It will also be shown live and rebroadcast on cable access
channel 12. This presentation will focus more on items of interest to the general
residents such as public works projects and information about the Monticello
Community Center,
Schumann stated that the Commission has information in their packets about
building activity. She said that there have been a lot of phone calls related to
commercial and industrial expansion and development both for small scale tenant
occupancies and actual development projects. There are no formal plans yet, just
conceptual at this point, but good news for the City. Things are fairly positive in
the community. There is not a great deal of vacancy in strip retail with the
exception of the downtown area.
The EDA authorized moving forward with a RFP for a downtown planning effort.
EDA has the funding source to lead the charge with this plan but it will be a
cooperative effort with the City. The four components of the RFP are: Land use,
Transportation, Market Analysis, the Financial Implementation of those
strategies. Planning Commission will be kept in the loop and be actively involved
in the process as it moves along.
The City is in now in the initial stages of drafting the RFP for Downtown
Redevelopment. The draft RFP will go to the EDA the week of March 8`h. The
next steering committee for the zoning ordinance revision will be March
The consultant will be sending out an email with an updated draft for the
Commission's review.
0
Planning Commission Minutes — 3/2/2010
City Council eliminated Junk Amnesty Day for 2010 due, in part, to budget
constraints. A list of alternative options is included in the Commission packets
and is also available on the web site.
The All City Garage Sale is May 15a'.
The Walk N' Roll is scheduled for early June. Events will be posted on the City's
online event calendar.
Schumann has provided a copy of an American Planning Association (APA)
publication on townhouse standards for the Commission to use as a resource as
they start to review the zoning code and consider residential housing standards.
Schumann provided a brochure for planning workshops sponsored by
Government Training Services which may be of interest to Commission members.
The City Attorney is leading a couple of those sessions.
Adiourn.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HILGART TO ADJOURN.
MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VOIGHT.
MOTION CARRIED, 4 -0.
Recorder: Kerr T. Burri
Approved: April 6, 201^
Development Director