MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION,
WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2003, 7:00 P.M.,
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL,
1. Roll Call
PRESENT: Baker, Geisler, Kozakiewicz, Max, Mead, Senesac, Svenson and Wieland
ABSENT: Dowling (excused)
OTHERS PRESENT: Mark
Ostgarden, City Planner; Cheri Standfest, Community Development Specialist; and 6
others.
2. Approval
of Minutes
It was moved by Baker and supported by Svenson to approve the minutes of
November 11th. The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
3. Public
Hearings
None
4. Public
Comments (not related to agenda items)
None
5. Old Business
A. Site Plan No. 233 – Consideration of site plan
approval requested by Wal-Mart to construct a 72,427 square foot expansion of
an existing retail store at 910 Joe Mann Boulevard.
Mark Ostgarden presented an overview of the
proposal for an expansion on the north side of the existing building. The contingency items that were specified at
the public hearing were reviewed.
Reference was made to the site including an area for a future gas
station. Staff has been in contact with
the company proposing the development and a meeting is scheduled to review that
site plan. It was clarified that the gas
station is not part of this site plan approval.
One of the contingencies is that 410 feet of screening is required along
the east property line. A fence will
require that the good or finished surface efface the exterior of the
property. During the staff presentation
reference was made to the use of shipping containers for on-site storage.
Robert Matko of CESO Engineering commented
that in response to landscaping concerns
expressed during the public hearing, that additional landscaping wil be
provided along Joe Mann Boulevard. They
have added a six foot wooden fence on the east side of the property. The storage container location will be
limited to the north side of the site.
Commissioner Senesac asked how long was it,
after the store opened, before storage containers started being used? Mr. Matko
stated that shortly after the store opened there became a need for additional
storage. Mr. Matko indicated that he did
not expect there to be a need for as many containers on site after the
expansion is completed.
Fred Westphal, 4740 Wackerly Road, stated
landscape islands in the parking lot should be mandatory to direct traffic flow
and for pedestrian safety. He also questioned
whether Joe Mann Boulevard can handle the additional traffic generated by
Wal-Mart and the Home Depot. He also
commented that, in his opinion, using containers is a cheap way to provide
additional storage as he doesn’t think they are taxable.
Mr. Ostgarden stated that the city traffic
consultant had reviewed the site plan, and the ability of Joe Mann Boulevard to
handle the additional traffic was not mentioned as a concern.
Using an aerial photo, Mr. Ostgarden identified that there were thirty eight
containers on site. It was estimated
that the square foot area of storage being provided by the containers is
approximately 14,000 sf. The magnitude
of the use of containers was not known by the City until the building expansion
was proposed.
Commissioner Kozakiewicz said that the plan looks acceptable but thought there should
be a resolution to the use of the containers. The position of the Planning
Commission was that the site plan warranted approval, however, the containers
needed to be removed once the addition was ready for occupancy.
A motion was made to recommend approval of the site plan with the
following contingencies:
1.
Particular
design and dimensions of the driveway at the southwest corner of the site shall
be approved by the City’s Traffic Engineer so as to ensure effective
prohibition of left turn movements.
2.
Parking
spaces are delineated by “box” striping.
3.
Screening
is provided as required by Section 29.12 of the Zoning Ordinance along that
portion of the site adjacent to residential zoning (approximately 410’ along
the east property line).
4.
Site
lighting will be sufficient to provide for the safety of customers and
employees while not casting illumination off site.
5.
Any new
signage will comply with applicable zoning provisions.
6.
Storm water
handling plans must be reviewed and approved by the City’s Engineering
Department.
7.
Easements
for the public water mains will be transmitted by the property owner to the
City of Midland promptly upon completion of the water main installation.
8.
The
storage containers must be removed from the site prior to receiving an
occupancy permit for the new building.
A vote proceeded as follows:
Yea: Baker, Geisler,
Kozakiewicz, Max, Mead, Senesac, Svenson and Wieland.
Nay: None
Absent: Dowling
B. Zoning Ordinance Update
Mark Ostgarden reviewed four issues that are
included in the proposed Zoning Ordinance to be
sure that the Planning Commission and the public were aware of the
revisions being proposed.
1
RV
Parking. RV parking and storage in residential
neighborhood is proposed to be more restrictive.
2
Fences. The finished side of a fence shall face out
and appeals to the Zoning Board of Appeals wil be considered as variances, not
special approvals.
3
Multiple
Family Uses in Office Service Zoning. One
and two family dwellings are proposed to be removed as permitted uses in the
Office Service zone. Multi-family uses
will be conditional land uses. Removal
of single and two family uses as permitted uses will create over 200
non-conformities.
4
Storage
of Merchandise in Commercial Zoning. The
proposed language need to clearly identify where storage is permitted.
6. New
Business
Website Feedback – Mark Ostgarden explained that the Planning Department
is seeking assistance in evaluating the information on its website. Commissioners Senesac and Wieland volunteered
to evaluate the information. Information
will be provided to assist in the
evaluation.
7. Communications
None
8. Report
of the Chairman
Public hearing
on the Zoning Ordinance will occur at the December 9, 2003 meeting.
Chairman
Senesac suggested that a Zoning Board of Appeals report be added to the
Planning Director’s report. The
Commission thought that was a good suggestion.
Report of the Planning Director
The City
Council recognition of Ray Senesac, Citizen Planner was mentioned. Mr. Senesac stated that the course was a good
learning experience. Several other
commissioners expressed a desire to participate in the program at next years
MSP Conference. MSP will be informed of
this interest.
o November 24th
Recognition of Ray Senesac by City Council.
o December 9th
Public Hearings
Draft Zoning Ordinance Update
Zoning Petition No. 504 - Midland Soccer Club
Site Plan No. 234 – The Courts of Joseph’s Run
Action Items
None
11. Adjourn.
Adjournment at approximately 9:10 PM was moved by Geisler, seconded by
Baker, and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Ostgarden AICP, CFM
City Planner
MINUTES ARE NOT FINAL UNTIL APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION