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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.08.12 PC MinutesMINUTES HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION August 12, 2010 Call to Order Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Arcand, Gwynn, McRoberts, Rosenquist, Schumann ABSENT: NONE ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director Dennis Fields, Community Development Assistant Rachel Simone, Planner Approval of Minutes of July 22, 2010 McRoberts made motion, Gwynn seconded, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of July 22, 2010 as presented. 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 property is zoned RC -1 Restricted Commercial. The request was to build a 6330 square foot accessory building to be used for cold storage. The applicant would like to put up the proposed building due to recent theft of materials on the property. The variance application was for the construction standards to allow for a metal pole building. Currently the construction standards do not allow for metal buildings. The Conditional Use Permit amendment was to allow the existing use, a construction operation, to be in conformance with the City Code. Rachel Explained that this property would likely develop in the future and would not alter the character of the area. She added that the Planning Commission could talk about adding materials to the proposed building to look more like the existing structures on the site. Rachel felt that the application meets the criteria for approval and staff recommended approval of the requests. Schumann asked why this property was zoned restricted commercial other than no municipal sewer and water services. Rachel answered that the zoning district allows for more industrial type uses. McRoberts challenged the statement that the property could not be put into reasonable use. He thinks that they can in fact use the building with higher quality materials. Planning Commission Minutes — August 12, 2010 Page 2 Schumann added that it may not be a good return on investment because they would be using the building for cold storage due to recent theft on the property. Rick Lasard, the applicant, stated that without the variance the building will not be built. Dennis Lasard stated that this was a cost issue and without the building they may look to relocate to another city. McRoberts asked if they would be willing to build the proposed building with the same materials with the same materials as the existing buildings. Dennis Lesard answered no. Rosenquist asked what the additional cost would be to substitute materials on the face of the building to make it look like the other buildings. Dennis Lesard answered that brick is about $6,000 and doesn't feel it is necessary because it wouldn't be seen from the roadway due to the trees. Arcand stated that the commission talked about design guidelines at the last meeting and now they are being asked to approve a metal building. Dennis Lesard stated that sewer and water services in the future will change the use on the property. McRoberts answered that even though the use may change in the future the timeline could be slower for that area and the building could still remain on the property 10 or more years from now. Schumann opened the public hearing. Schumann closed the public hearing. Rosenquist things it isn't asking too much to dress up the building and it is their choice to leave the city or not if the variance isn't approved. He doesn't see someone leaving the city over $6,000. Gwynn thinks it is reasonable to ask them to make the buildings look the same. Moore thought the improvements sounded like a waste of money since it wouldn't be seen from the road. Arcand questioned that where do we draw the line for construction standards. Bronwen stated that she struggled with the fact that the buildings don't look the same and didn't feel it was the direction that the Planning Commission is looking for. She suggested maybe Planning Commission Minutes — August 12, 2010 Page 3 changing the coloring of the building. Gwynn added that cost is a factor, but felt they should make the buildings all look the same. McRoberts motioned, Gwynn seconded, to approve the site plan and CUP amendment. All Aye, motion carried. McRoberts stated that he would like to see the new building reflex similar materials to the existing buildings. Moore suggested adding cedar siding to the front like the other buildings. Dennis Lesard answered that it could not be done at this time due to additional costs. Rosenquist agreed that adding cedar siding would add a lot. He asked what the height of the proposed building would be. Rachel answered the building was proposed to be 25 feet tall. Dennis Lesard added that the trees in front of the building are about 12-14 feet tall. Brian added that the existing building have design elements that could be added to a pole building to meet the Planning Commission's request. Moore understand the costs but would like to see more design elements. Dennis Lesard answered that the pole building would add protection for the materials with little cost. Gwynn asked if changing the gable materials only would make it similar to the other buildings. Moore answered that the proposed building is brown steel. Dennis Lesard answered that it is going to come down to costs but is willing to work with the City. Schumann gave the option of colored vinyl siding. Moore and Gwynn agreed it would look better. McRoberts motioned, Rosenquist seconded to approve the variance with the condition that the applicant work with staff on the building materials. Planning Commission Minutes — August 12, 2010 Page 4 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. Schumann doesn't want to see themed design. He likes the ideas of 4 sided architecture, parking in the rear of the buildings, sitting areas and pedestrian orientated development, and signage restrictions. He feels staff has a good handle on what is tasteful or not and what is functional. Brian added that this is a time where the Planning Commission could set the expectation for what they want for design standards. Rosenquist wants to bring the topic to a subcommittee. Gwynn likes the subcommittee idea. Kleissler, Gwynn and Rosenquist volunteer for the committee. Rosenquist likes the idea of different designs with different zoning districts. Brian gave an update on blighted buildings to the Planning Commission. Adjournment Rosenquist motioned, Gwynn seconded, to adjourn. All Ayes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Dennis Fields Planning Commission Secretary