HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.08.24 Planning MinutesCITY OF FARMINGTON
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
October 8th, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Rotty at 7:00pm
Members Present: Rotty, Lehto, Windschitl, Snobeck
Members Absent: Tesky
Staff Present: Tony Wippler, Planning Manager
Jared Johnson, Planning Coordinator
Deanna Kuennen, Community & Economic Development
Director
Leah Koch, City Attorney
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Windschitl, second by Lehto to approve minutes of Planning Commission
for September 10th, 2024, regular meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chair Rotty opened all public hearings.
3.1 Variance from City Code Section 10-5-14(B) to construct a commercial daycare
at 4640 Knutsen Drive. Planning Coordinator Jared Johnson presented request from
Insite Development Services (Applicant), Clough Properties Two (Property Owner), for a
front yard setback variance from City Code Section 10-5-14(B) for construction of
commercial daycare building. Currently zoned SSMU (Spruce Street Mixed Use), Spruce
Street Overlay District.
• Property is 1.37 acres of vacant land, platted as Lot 2, Block 3 of Vermillion
River Crossings development
• Applicant looking to develop the site with commercial daycare, which is
permitted use in the SSMU district.
• Per City Code Section 10-5-14(B), front yard setback requirement in SSMU
district is at least 50% of building front shall be within 20ft of public right of
way (Knutsen Drive).
• Requesting variance to have 0% of the building front within 20ft of Knutsen
Drive
• Request does not have approval of site plan. Applicant would like to ensure
Commission accepts variance before pursuing final site plan approval.
o Parcel only abuts one street and is moderately narrow. Placing 50%
of building front within 20ft of Knutsen Dr. Limits amount of access
drives needed to provide proper site circulation. Additional access
drives will enhance public safety and emergency access.
o Site layout on parcel lends itself to playground behind building, away
from street and parking lot for child safety.
Mr. Graham from Insite emphasized having two access points to property and having
playground back from street, will have 6ft fence surrounding playground. Discussion
opened for public comments. Committee member Snobeck asked why the 20ft set-
back was required, Planning Coordinator Jared explained it was originally put in place
for a walkability for shops like a downtown. He then asked if this would be case for
future businesses, Jared answered they would have to do a variance and the
uniqueness of this property having the narrow street.
MOTION by Windschitl, second by Snobeck to close public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED
MOTION by Lehto, second by Windshitl to approve requested variance for 4640 Knutsen Dr.
upon meeting condition put forth by Planning Commission. APIF, MOTION CARRIED
3.2 Amend 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the properties generally known as the
Fountain Valley Golf Course and the Angus Property - Planning Manager Tony Wippler
presented request for the 3 parcels.
• PID# 14-00500-01-012(Fountain Valley Golf Course) Amending Land Use
Plan from mixture of Commercial, Low Density Residential, Low Medium
Density Residential, and Park/Open Space to Mixed-Use
(Commercial/Industrial) and changing anticipating development staging
from Post 2040 to 2020-2030.
• PIDS# 07-00500-76-012 and 07-00500-76-011 (Angus Property) Adding
these parcels to 2020 MUSA (Metropolitan Urban Service Area) amending the
2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan from Non-Designated to Mixed-Use
(Commercial/Industrial) and including these parcels in the 2020-2030
development staging timeframe.
Chair Rotty opened discussion to the public.
Cathy Johnson 22280 Berring Ave.- made comment on behalf of resident Nate Ryan,
he stated the concerns about the requested changes. Cathy shared concerns about noise,
height of buildings and tax valuations.
Eszter Varga 3094 225th St- Said the sites visited by commission and council
members are not comparable due to facility size and operation.
Terry Pearson 2475 225th St.- Read statement about future, what it holds and what
will happen with data center with technology changes.
Kathy Perrego 5081 13th St.- Shared concerns with health impacts and water
consumption.
Nancy Aarestad 22165 Beaumont Ave – Concerns with changing the comp plan to
incompatible land use.
Chair Rotty thanked everyone for taking the time to share concerns, being knowledgeable
and respectful. He explained that when you re-zone you change the comprehensive plan.
Moving forward he requested it all be combined into one step.
MOTION by Snobeck, second by Lehto to close public hearing. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED
MOTION by Windschitl, second by Lehto for favorable recommendation to the 2040
Comprehensive Plan amendment. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
5. ADJOURN
MOTION by Lehto, second by Windschitl to adjourn at 7:46pm. APIF, MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Tony Wippler, Planning Manager