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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.07.22 PC MinutesMINUTES HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION July 22, 2010 Call to Order Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Arcand, Gwynn, McRoberts, Rosenquist, Schumann ABSENT: Moore, Kleissler ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director Dennis Fields, Community Development Assistant Rachel Simone, Planner Approval of Minutes of July 8, 2010 McRoberts made motion, Gwynn seconded, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of July 8, 2010. All Ayes, Motion carried. Mas Tec — Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit, and Variance Planner, Rachel Simone, gave the background to the Planning Commission. She explained that the application was incomplete and recommended that the Planning Commission table the item. Gwynn motioned, McRoberts seconded, to table the item. All Aye, Motion Carried. Drake — Conditional Use Permit for Horse Boarding Facility Planner, Rachel Simone gave the background to the Planning Commission. The request was for a CUP to allow a horse training and boarding facility on the property. The property is 25 acres in size and is zoned Future Urban Service. Rachel stated that the request meets all criteria and staff recommended approval. McRoberts asked if there was a maximum number of horses she could have. Rachel answered that she would be limited to the number allowed in the code pertaining to livestock. McRoberts asked if the property would still be a compatible use once the surrounding properties develop due to the way that the property is situated. Planning Commission Minutes — July 22, 2010 Page 2 Rachel stated that the Conditional Use Permit would remain on the property and the facility would still be allowed even if the surrounding properties develop. Debi Drake, the applicant, added that it could be an equestrian development Gwynn asked if the existing apartment will be brought up to code before the City Council will see the CUP request. Rachel answered that the apartment will not be brought to code until the City Council approves the request because if it gets denied she would have to take some items out. Schumann opened the public hearing. Schumann Closed the public hearing. Rosenquist saw no issues with the request. Schumann stated that in this area of Hugo, horse pastures and facilities are very common and that people may in fact purchase land in Hugo for it's rural nature. McRoberts motioned, Gwynn seconded, to approve the Conditional Use Permit request. All ayes, motion carried Design Guidelines Planner, Rachel Simone, gave the background to the Planning Commission. She explained that the city had little in our ordinances that talked about design guidelines for commercial buildings. The Comprehensive Plan discourages "big box" style development. She stated that the Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) had discussed this issue in the past, and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) asked the Planning Commission to come up with some Design Guidelines and bring a request back to the EDA. She explained that the EDA liked the idea of having design guidelines, however they didn't want to prevent businesses from moving to Hugo. Rachel gave example of some design guidelines in other cities. McRoberts thought that the EDA was contradicting themselves by wanting design guidelines and not wanting to discourage new development. Rosenquist stated that his experience has shown that strict design guidelines brings in the best tenants to the area. Schumann pointed out that Victor Gardens is a good example of good design guidelines in Hugo, and he has seen many "big box" stores that don't look like the typical "big box" because of good design. McRoberst doesn't foresee the City Council turning anyone down, and he thinks they should Planning Commission Minutes — July 22, 2010 Page 3 stick to guidelines or not have them. He pointed out a project in Victor Gardens that didn't follow the design criteria and was still approved by council. He also thinks that the reason that big box stores were discouraged wasn't only because of size but because of the volume of people and activity. Arcand questioned why Hugo wouldn't want them. McRoberts stated that it is because some of the people wanted to preserve the rural, small town feel. Arcand asked if maybe that is changing in Hugo. Rosenquist and Gwynn both agreed that it has indeed changed. Schumann thought that the big box stores would stick out by the Interstate and not no close to Hugo. Bryan stated that the duty of the Planning Commission is to find the right balance for guidelines and how far should we go. He added that when guidelines are not met and approved that may lower the bar for future design standards. Arcand stated that he wanted to see more than just prohibiting steel buildings for design guidelines. Rosenquist asked staff to give the Planning commission some samples of building design and give some options to the Commission. Schumann stated that themed guidelines, such as Victor Gardens, are different than design guidelines. Rosenquist doesn't think we should have themed design. McRoberts likes the example idea from staff to start with. Arcand asked if other cities have guidelines we could use as a starting point. Rachel answered that there are cities that have guidelines but there is a lot of variation between them. Rosenquist thought it might be appropriate to have different guidelines for different zoning districts. Bryan pointed out that a big building may not exactly mean big box. It can be a same size as a big box with multiple tenants. McRoberts said that it wasn't necessarily the size of the building it is the nature of it. He is more Planning Commission Minutes — July 22, 2010 Page 4 interested in how they put the guidelines into words rather than pictures. Adjournment Rosenquist motioned, McRoberts seconded, to adjourn. All Ayes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Dennis Fields Planning Commission Secretary