Minutes: Evansville Plan: April 4, 2005

Evansville Plan Commission
Regular Meeting
Monday, April 4, 2005, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI

MINUTES

The meeting was called to order by Ald. Hammann at 6:00 p.m. Present were: Ald. Aikman, Ald. Hammann, Messrs. Hurley, Sauer, Skinner, and Vrstal. Absent was Mayor Ringhand. Staff present: Tim Schwecke, City Planner; Bill Connors, City Administrator; and Sandra Hart, City Clerk. Also present in the audience were Ald. Cothard and Ald. Sornson.

The Agenda was amended by deleting Item 7.C. Preliminary presentation regarding the proposed expansion of Romano’s Restaurant at the request of the applicant. The Agenda was approved as amended.

Motion by Hammann, seconded by Sauer, to waive the reading of the March 1, 2005 Minutes and approve them as printed. Motion carried with Mr. Hurley abstaining.

Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed. None.

Unfinished Business. None.

New Business.
Ron Combs, surveyor, presented a preliminary concept plan for an urban residential subdivision on the Rachel Elmer property on CTH M in the Town of Union. The parcel is approximately 27 acres in size and is planned to have 52 lots ranging in size from 11,500 to 32,000 sq. ft. Mr. Combs distributed a map showing the proposed zoning districts. There will be transitional residential between the commercial and residential areas. Included were 6 duplexes and two 4-units. There is a lift station assessment that will be assigned to this property. Mr. Sauer said the stormwater plan is to store it onsite and make an emergency overflow for the 100-year flood elevation. Sidewalks will be on the south side of the east-west street off of CTH M to match East Countryside Drive. Mr. Combs said the annexation petition will be presented next week to the City, but there is no timeframe for the construction to begin. Daryl Fox, co-owner, said the developers would like to begin construction of the project this year. Roger Berg, co-owner, said this project will be constructed in one phase, with houses being built over the next 1 – 5 years. The larger lots will command larger homes and will be market driven. This type of housing is on the Smart Growth map currently. Ald. Hammann opened the discussion to the public.

Robert Pharo, 7551 N. Orchard View Drive, Town of Union, asked why the lots were not larger to insure larger homes. Mr. Combs answered the lots can be smaller but still accommodate larger homes because they will be on public sewer.

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Candy Pharo, 7551 N. Orchard View Drive, Town of Union, asked if there will be deed restrictions on the lots to require certain landscaping, minimum size of the homes, and other requirements such as brick. Mr. Berg said there will be deed restrictions, but they have not been prepared as yet.

Kendall Schneider, Town of Union Chairman, inquired about the road elevation and water pressure in this area. Mr. Sauer said those questions will be addressed.

Ald. Hammann thanked everyone for coming and the presentation made.

Motion by Hammann, seconded by Aikman, to approve the certified survey map (CSM) of land at the northeast corner of Union Street and East Main Street for Francois Oil Company. This approval is a condition of the Conditional Use Permit for the Site Plan Approval. Motion carried.

The Commissioners discussed the need to amend the sign ordinance to clarify the status of nonconforming signs with a change of use. Mr. Schwecke said he received a phone call about a non-conforming sign; a business sold its building to a new business and the new business wanted to use the existing sign even though it was a non-conforming sign. Staff needed clarification as to whether when a business terminates if the non-conforming sign also terminates and any new business would need to comply with the ordinance, or, if the non-conforming status remains for a certain period of time such as 6 months. The majority of the Commissioners believe the non-conforming sign terminates with the sale of the business. The ordinance language should be changed for clarification. Mr. Connors will contact the City’s legal counsel to discuss the language change.

The Commissioners discussed the draft of the Final Land Divider’s Agreement with Saviour Development LLC regarding Capstone Ridge Subdivision. Mr. Connors said the purpose of the final agreement is to specify what the City and the developers are going to do in detail. Any changes should be discussed now. Dennis Biddick, KD Engineering, described the first two phases of the development. Dan Gildner, developer, and Mr. Biddick confirmed with Mr. Sauer that the construction drawings will be completed by the week of April 11 to give Mr. Sauer time to review the drawings so approval of the Final Plat and Final Land Divider’s Agreement can be placed on the May Plan Commission Agenda.

City Planner’s Report.
Mr. Schwecke made alterations to the various forms for variances, conditional use permits, and rezonings to include information from the Municipal Code. The forms have become more detailed and he offered to assist any applicant in completing the form. The new forms looked acceptable to the Commissioners, but they suggested Mr. Schwecke might want to review them with the local surveyors for their comments.
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Report of the Smart Growth Planning Committee.
This item will be removed from future agendas as the Smart Growth Planning Committee completed its work months ago. Mr. Connors reminded everyone about the special Plan Commission meeting on April 14 at which the Plan Commission will hold a public “listening session” about the draft new comprehensive plan.

Report of the Evansville Redevelopment Authority. None.

Motion by Hammann, seconded by Sauer, to adjourn at 8:22 p.m. Motion carried.

Prepared by:
Sandra Hart, City Clerk

The Minutes are not official until approved by the Plan Commission.