Planning Commission Minutes 04-04-2017 (Joint Meeting)MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY
COUNCIL
Tuesday, April 411, 2017 - 5:00 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Brad Fyle, Marc Simpson, Sam Murdoff, Charlotte Gabler, Jim Davidson,
Bill Fair, Brian Stumpf, Lloyd Hilgart
Staff: Angela Schumann, Steve Grittman (NAC), John Rued
1. Call to Order
Brad Fyle called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. Concept Stage Planned Unit Development for Multi -Lot Industrial Development
Applicant: Ken Spaeth
Steve Grittman stated the request was to consider a concept stage multi -lot industrial
development in the I-2 (Heavy Industrial) District. A typical development in this district
is one building per lot. A Planned Unit Development (PUD) is required when multiple
lots do not have frontage on a public street and rather rely on a private street system. The
PUD provides flexibility from the Zoning Ordinance provided there are layouts,
amenities, or better designs that further accomplish the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
Grittman stated that the proposal was for eight, approximately 7,000 square foot
industrial buildings. Each building would be placed on its own lot. This would allow each
to be purchased and/or leased out to tenants. Common parking, driveways and truck
courts would be provided on site. A half -acre would be reserved for stormwater purposes
and would serve as a buffer between the residential area adjacent to the site.
Sam Murdoff joined the meeting.
Brad Fyle commented that Buffalo has a similar development and asked if there were any
attachments showing that project. Grittman declined and stated his familiarity with the
project. He said that it was designed for small industrial service businesses, small
fabrication or other types of facilities supporting their business.
Fyle asked what building was to the east of the site. Simpson replied that it was the
former Polycast building. Wayne Elam, Commercial Realty Solutions stated that the
buildings are proposed as post frame buildings, similar to adjacent structures. Fyle noted
that the last series of building appeared to be close to the back lot line. Grittman
confirmed and noted that the industrial facilities on the east and west only developed the
front half of their lots and had room to expand to the front. The applicant indicated that
he would develop this project in phases starting with the north portion of the lot first.
Fyle commented about noise concerns. Grittman noted that the City Ordinance has noise
standards. The entry office spaces would face the residential area and would less likely
generate a lot of noise. Fyle also noted that a holding pond and a berm would serve as a
buffer. Fyle asked what the rear lot setback was set at. Grittman stated that the district
standard is 50 feet; this proposal exceed that requirement. Bill Fair asked what percentage
of the lot would be hard surfaced. Grittman responded about 78 percent. Grittman noted
that the full engineering of the site has not been completed and that the applicant would
need to meet the City's full stormwater management requirements when submitting
development stage PUD plans.
Fyle asked the Building Department if the City could require the buildings to be dressed
up a little more. Rued stated that was a condition that could be determined in the PUD
plans. From the Building Department's perspective, as long as the applicant met the
building code for design standards, they would be able to continue their project. Grittman
confirmed that building materials and architecture are part of the PUD discussion.
Gabler noted that an association would need to occur that would take care of maintenance
and common shared access and parking. Grittman confirmed. Gabler also noted that there
were no other areas for small, start-up industrial businesses to locate in Monticello and
expressed appreciation for the opportunity.
Fyle asked if the site was accessible by semi -tractor trailer. Grittman stated that there was
a proposed loop road that semi's should be able to drive and turn around in the truck
court areas. He added that unloading on the street would not occur as a condition of PUD.
Stumpf indicated that a semi could maneuver back portion of the site. Grittman stated
they would need to work around the engineering and guarantee the turn radius were
accomplishable.
Gabler asked if fewer buildings could go up if needed to better accommodate the site.
Elam stated there were other options the property owner would be interested in such as
making the buildings narrower. Elam reminded the boards that it was not reviewed in
detail by an engineer and that it was only a concept.
Marc Simpson commented that fire accessibility should be considered.
Wayne Elam introduced Ken Spaeth (property owner) and Scott Dahlke (Civil
Engineering Site Design), Shelia Zachman (Commercial Realty Solutions). Elam stated
that the goal of the project was to develop cost-effective alternatives for small businesses
to buy a small piece of land and construct a post frame building. The drawing provided
was the maximum square footage the property could handle. Elam suggested if the
turning radius for the semis was too shallow, they could shrink the buildings. Elam stated
that Spaeth would build one 7,500 square foot building and divide into three spaces to
rent out. The space would have a separate entry doors, bathrooms, and an overhead door.
Elam suggested that the location would be ideal for small construction companies and
expressed a need for this type of development within the city.
Stumpf echoed concerns of the appearance of the buildings especially those facing the
Golden Eagle Road townhomes and suggested dressing them up. Spaeth added that no
overhead doors would be located on that side and stone would be placed facing those
townhomes. The buildings facing Dundas Road would also have stone placed.
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Fyle asked if there would be any concerns with having more than one business in a
building. Schumann stated that an association would be required as a part of the PUD
package and would demonstrate how the site would function and the management of
tenancy. Grittman noted that it wouldn't be uncommon to have a building occupied by
multiple tenants.
Rued added that depending on the type of businesses located in a building, the
requirements for fire safety may require additional changes to the building design.
Murdoff asked if a shared wall could be placed to consolidate down to four buildings
rather than eight buildings. Elam stated that it was counter from what the goal of the
project was to create smaller industrial development buildings of up to 7,000 square feet
each. Elam added that they'd like to stay away from condo-ing buildings due to the
complexities it presents.
Lloyd Hilgart asked what the PUD would be set up for. Grittman stated that having six
frontages face a private street would be one reason for a PUD. Grittman also indicated
that the lot areas (which are less than required by code) and interior setbacks would also
trigger a PUD. Hilgart mentioned having something in place for the aesthetics for each
building to match especially in color and size. Elam indicated that it was the intent to put
in the agreement so that the building aesthetics looked similar and that a minimum
building size was established. Spaeth noted that any property owner that was looking to
develop inside the development, would need to have the City Council's approval.
Schumann stated that unless they have approval for final stage development plans, the
applicant would need to apply for an amendment to PUD when they are ready to plat a
new lot or add a building that is substantially different from the original proposal.
Grittman stated that there is a broad mix of uses that could occur in the I-2 Zoning
District, but noted that the land use impacts should be less impactful due to the smaller
size of the facilities.
Stumpf asked if outdoor storage would occur on the vacant lots as the first building was
constructed. Spaeth declined.
Brad Fyle opened up the meeting for public comments.
Kathy Hanson, Board Director for Golden Eagle Villas stated she was comfortable with
the proposal.
Scott Dahlke passed around a landscape plan for the property. Trees would be planted
throughout the site. He also added that a berm would be placed in between the
townhomes and the industrial buildings. Landscaping would also occur on the end walls
of each building. It was noted that there would be around 170 feet between the proposed
industrial buildings to the townhomes. A fence would also be built along the berm to
separate the development from the residential areas.
Fyle summarized that no major concerns were brought up at the meeting besides the
aesthetics of the buildings, groundwater management, and traffic flow onsite.
3. Adiournment
MARC SIMPSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 5:45 P.M. SAM
MURDOFF SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 8-0.
Recorder: Jacob Thunander
Approved: May 2, 2017
Attest:
Angela Skhu n , Community Development Director
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