HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.11.09 Work Session Minutes
City Council
Planning Commission
Parks and Recreation Commission
Heritage Preservation Commission
Workshop Minutes May 11,2009
Mayor Larson called the workshop to order at 6:30 p.m.
Present: Larson, Donnelly, Fogarty, May, Wilson
Also Present: Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Lisa Shadick, Administrative Services
Director; Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director; Lee Smick, City Planner;
Tony Wippler, Assistant City Planner; Tina Hansmeier, Economic Development
Specialist
Commission Members: Charlie Weber, Edgar Samuelson, Robert Vogel, Dirk Rotty, Doug
Bonar, Joe Vanderbeck, Jeff Stokes
MOTION by Wilson, second by May to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
The purpose of the workshop was to discuss design standards for the downtown business district
and the industrial park. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan lists three primary areas of focus.
1. Downtown development and redevelopment
2. Industrial development
3. Commercial development outside of the downtown area
Downtown Commercial District Desie:n Standards
The downtown commercial district includes the river on the north, down 4th Street on the east,
down to Walnut Street on the south, and up to First Street on the west. The Planning
Commission will be the lead group on the process for creating a design standard for the
downtown. The commercial district design standards pertain to the following uses:
1. New commercial
2. Existing commercial upon upgrade of building structure
3. Redevelopment project for commercial use.
It does not pertain to any existing or new residential or any redevelopment to residential
properties.
Regarding setbacks, there are homes included in this area. The zoning in the area is B-2, so if a
home is demolished, staff would want the lot to become a commercial development. A
discussion followed regarding the different types of exterior surfaces and the architecture. Types
of signs were discussed and members were curious as to why the projecting signs were not
allowed as they liked the look of this type of signage. Awnings are nice and upkeep is addressed
Council Workshop Minutes
May 11,2009
Page 2
in the code. Two to three-story buildings on the corners would be attractive. Murals are used to
offset blank walls. Design standards force developers to think about what they are going to build
and what they will leave behind when they move out of the building. In a pedestrian downtown,
you want the look of the buildings to slow people down.
Industrial Park Deshm Standards
Design standards to look at include building materials, whether to allow pole buildings,
screening, outdoor storage, curb versus LID (no curbing). The new industrial acreage cannot be
re-zoned until the design standards are determined. The area includes Pilot Knob on the east,
CSAH 50 on the south, Flagstaff to the west. Staff will bring to the Planning Commission and
Council the re-guiding for the comprehensive plan of this area for commercial and industrial.
City Planner Smick showed examples of designs in other industrial parks. Members had a
concern with allowing metal for exterior surfaces, but also did not want to be too restrictive.
There has to be a compromise so the materials allowed are not too expensive for developers to
build here. There has to be some control so if someone builds a nice looking building there will
not be a tin building next to them.
Pole buildings are a wood structure that have poles that sit in the ground. As far as screening for
outdoor storage the criteria is it has to be screened with fence material. Business owners want to
have outdoor storage. Members did not have a problem with outdoor storage as long as it is
screened properly. Some communities require 360 degree screening which becomes expensive
and may limit the opportunity to bring in businesses. It was agreed outdoor storage should not
face CSAH 50, but could face interior roads. There was also a concern with the types of
businesses that may want outdoor storage such as auto salvage.
Curb versus LID was discussed. LID is low impact development. Currently City standards call
for curb and gutter, but this industrial park could be different with an IP-2 zoning.
Members should think about the proposals and let staff know their comments. Members asked
how this fits into the study being done by Bonestroo. Bonestroo is having discussions with
property owners and parceling the land. They are working on a draft concept plan. There still
needs to be design standards to go with the plan. Staff will work further with the Planning
Commission on design standards.
MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to adjourn at 7:59 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
~~~
ynthia Muller
Executive Assistant