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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-17 Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting April 11,2017 1. Call to Order Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rotty,Franceschelli, Kuyper,Rich Members Absent: Bjorge Also Present: Tony Wippler,Planning Manager 2. Approval of Minutes a. MOTON by Franceschelli second by Rich to approve the minutes of March 14,2017. 3. Public Hearings—Chair Rotty opened the public hearings a. Urban Chicken Permit—Terry &Kim Larson (19055 Enchanted Way) Terry and Kim Larson have applied for an Urban Chicken Permit for three hen chickens. The lot does meet the requirements. The coop would be 16 sq. ft. and the run would be 32 sq. ft. The coop will be located in the rear of the property, in the southwest corner. A neighbor's shed is providing screening to the west. If that shed were removed,the applicant would have to provide screening to the west. MOTION by Kuyper, second by Franceschelli to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Rich to approve the Urban Chicken Permit at 19055 Enchanted Way. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. b. Ordinance Amendment to Section 10-5-14 (Downtown Business)B-2 Zoning District as it Relates to Lot Area and Lot Width Requirements Currently the minimum standards for lot area and width in the B-2 zone are 5,000 sq. ft. and 50 ft.respectively. Staff is proposing to eliminate these requirements to not have a minimum lot area or width. This is common in downtown areas. Many existing lots in downtown do not meet these requirements. MOTION by Kuyper, second by Rich to close the public hearing. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Rich to recommend approval of the ordinance amending section 10-5-14 of the city code as it relates to the minimum lot area and lot width within the B-2 zoning district and forward the recommendation to the City Council. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. c. Ordinance Amendment to Section 10-5-15 (Heavy Business)B-3 Zoning District to Conditionally Allow Warehousing Facilities Warehousing facilities are allowed in the industrial park,industrial and business/commercial flex zones as a permitted use. This amendment to the B-3 (heavy business) zone is to allow warehousing facilities as a conditional use,which would require an additional review. All members agreed with adding warehousing facilities as a conditional use. MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Kuyper to close the public hearing. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Rich, second by Kuyper to recommend approval of amending section 10-5-15 of the city code to conditionally allow warehousing facilities within the B-3 zoning district and forward that recommendation to the City Council. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 4. Discussion a. Home Occupation Ordinance A resident who currently has a home occupation permit has requested to expand the business and have two additional employees who do not live at the property. The current code states you have to live in the premises in order to be employed by that business. Staff was not in favor of amending the code to allow for additional employees who do not live there, Home occupations are uses that are first homes and secondly a commercial business for the people who live there. There is room for amending the code as far as outlining what uses are allowed and prohibited as home occupations. The current code is vague. Member Franceschelli stated if you allow additional employees,you have additional employee parking. If you expand the business for example add a chair in a salon,you have additional customers coming. This creates a hardship for the neighborhood. Member Kuyper was not comfortable with having employees. As far as the type of business,if it is office work a conditional use permit should not be required. If you have customers coming for one-on-one appointments that is fine. As far as listing the types of allowed businesses,that could change frequently. Member Rich agreed with not allowing people who do not reside in the home to work there. It does lead to parking issues. He did not see a need to list the kind of businesses as they can change frequently. Staff suggested listing the businesses that would be prohibited. Determining a threshold of when to file for a home occupation permit could be difficult. Chair Rotty considers the neighborhood and the impact on the neighbors. He agreed expanding to more employees would infringe on the neighbors. If you expand a home business you are then competing with commercial businesses and that is why we have a commercial district. It provides a place for home occupations to go when their business grows. Commission members agreed with reviewing the home occupation code regarding the type of businesses. Staff should bring this back for further discussion. b. 2040 Comprehensive Plan The City Council has authorized staff to enter into a contract with a consultant to assist with updating the comp plan. The consultant is Hoisington Koegler, and work will start soon. The Planning Commission will be involved in the process. 5. Adjourn MOTION by Franceschelli,second by Rich to adjourn at 7:37 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant