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Planning & Zoning Board <br />February 12, 2003 APPROVED MINUTES <br />Page 40 <br />The developer stated they were willing to m eet with the neighbors again, but wanted the <br />meetings to be productive. He asked the Bo ard for their suggestions on what they needed <br />to address. <br />Chair Schaps stressed the importance of neighborhood meetings. <br />Mr. Grochala stated the land use for that corner was commercial and medium density <br />residential in compliance with the Comprehens ive Plan, but he believ ed there were things <br />that could be done to address some of the ne ighbor’s concerns. He stated the residents <br />needed to realize that the developer’s propos al was in compliance with what was suppose <br />to go there. <br />Peter Hilger, architect, stated they had con cerns about the traffic capacity of Birch and if <br />the commercial was entirely along Birch Stre et, would not allow good access. He noted <br />if the access did not work, commercial would not work. He stated they were also dealing <br />with wetland issues and they felt this propo sal would have the greatest potential. <br />Chair Schaps stated what was happening to night was that the publ ic hearing would be <br />continues and the project was tabled until th e next meeting. He noted the public hearing <br />would remain open and they would be give n the opportunity to speak again if they <br />wanted. When all of the staff issues had been resolved and once staff recommended <br />approval or denial, the Board would vote. He stated he did not know when the vote <br />would happen, it depended on when the staff’s c oncerns were satisfied. Once there was a <br />vote, this was only a recommendation to Counc il. It was up to the Council to make the <br />final decision. He noted this was typica lly done within a month after the Board’s <br />recommendation. He suggested that they attend neighborhood meetings and to remain <br />civil at those meetings. He stated a de velopment of some sort would happen on this <br />property and stated the best thing they could do was to be constructive and not <br />destructive. He stated the next Board meeting was on March 12, 2003. <br />Diane Lang, 6449 Hokah Drive, asked who de termines who is in the neighborhood and <br />how are they notified. Mr. Smyser stated pr operty owners within a certain distance was <br />notified. He stated what they normally did was that when a developer held a <br />neighborhood meeting, they were given the same mailing list that they were required to <br />give for a public hearing. For this type of a project, it was 600 feet for everyone around <br />the property. <br />Ms. Lang stated she had received the noti ce for tonight’s meeting, but not for the <br />neighborhood meeting. Mr. Smyser replied it wa s the developer’s responsibility to send <br />out the letters for the neighborhood meeting and he was given the list. He stated he did <br />not know why she did not receive a notice and s uggested she talk to the developer and get <br />on their mailing list. <br />Mr. Rafferty stated he did not believe the cu rrent plan flowed very well with respect to <br />traffic and asked the developers keep open ear s to the resident’s concerns. He noted the <br />developer was the landowner and it was up to th em as to what would work, but suggested <br />they work with the neighbors and encour aged them to not put in a gas station.