Evansville Planning Commission----August 2007

City of Evansville
Plan Commission

Regular Meeting
Monday, August 6, 2007, 6:00 pm
City Hall (Third Floor), 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Sandy Decker.

Roll Call. Present: Sandy Decker, Diane Roberts, Jim Brooks and Bill Hammann. Staff present: Tim Schwecke and Dan Wietecha. Others Present: Ray Nipple, Roger Berg, Tom Cothard, Cheryl Dickert, Joe Keller, Richard Woulfe and other members of the public. Decker stated that Municipal Code indicates that four Plan Commission members is a quorum but for approval of actions, there needs to be four aye votes.

Approve Agenda. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the agenda. Roberts made a motion, seconded by Hammann to amend the agenda by removing Item 7A. Motion approved unanimously.

Approve Minutes of July, 2, 2007 Meeting. Roberts made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve the minutes. Motion approved unanimously.

Citizen Appearances. Ray Nipple, 535 South 5th Street, requested that Item 17B Zoning code enforcement be moved to and discussed under Item 5, Citizen Appearances. Request granted. Mr. Nipple stated that he is having a problem with a neighbor in regard to his fence. Mr. Nipple explained the reason for constructing the fence, the design of the fence and the issues the neighbor has with the fence. He commented that City Ordinance does not state that the fence should be 6 feet from the ground. There was discussion regarding the interpretation of the 6 foot fence portion of the ordinance. Decker explained that the Plan Commission could not take any action but she would speak with the City Attorney regarding his situation.

Unfinished Business.

A. Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Nothing new to report.

B. Allen Creek Master Plan. Wietecha said most of the interviews are complete which gives a decent cross representation of the property owners. The public open house meeting scheduled for August 21 during the Redevelopment Authority meeting is on track.

C. Community Rating System Classification/Flood Insurance. Schwecke presented a worksheet outlining activities the City could complete to earn points which would improve the class rating resulting in a premium reduction. There were questions regarding the activity descriptions and discussion regarding the cost to achieve them. Decker summarized the discussion by stating it would be beneficial to have the Public Works Committee review the activities, that Baker Manufacturing should be contacted to take a look at the cost effectiveness of improving our rating and this item should appear on the September Agenda.

New Business.

D. Evansville Manor Site Plan for Multi-Family Building (application 2007-20). Item tabled until the September meeting.

E. Rolland Probst Final Land Division (application 2007-21). Hammann made a motion, seconded by Brooks to recommend to City Council the approval of final land division submitted by Rolland Probst as recommended by staff. The Committee discussed the notation to be added to the CSM prior to signature. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Roberts to amend the main motion by changing the language of the notation to read “provided Outlot 1 is relabeled Lot 2”. Amendment approved unanimously. Motion, as amended, approved unanimously.

F. Amending Chapter 110 of the Municipal Code. Schwecke stated that the intent of this proposed ordinance was to create a range of housing types so that people can age in place. He reviewed the language with the Committee. Decker opened the public hearing at 6:48. Roger Berg, Tom Cothard, Cheryl Dickert, & Joe Keller spoke against the ordinance. Decker read a letter from Brad Fahlgren generally opposing the ordinance. The public hearing was closed at 6:56. Roberts made a motion to recommend to Council the adoption of Ordinance #2007-8 as drafted, motion fails for lack of second.

G. Amending Chapter 130 of the Municipal Code. Schwecke stated that this proposed ordinance would apply to all property zoned as a TND District. He reviewed the language with the Committee. Decker opened the public hearing at 7:13. Richard Woulfe expressed his concerns about spreading commercial nodes too thin. The hearing was closed at 7:14. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Brooks to recommend to Council the adoption of Ordinance #2007-9 as drafted. Decker stated that there is a word missing on page 7, line 199. The word “sides” is missing (change “both except” to “both sides except”). Hammann made a motion, seconded by Roberts to amend the main motion by adding “with the correction of the typo on page 7”. Amendment approved unanimously. Motion, as amended, approved unanimously.




H. Amending Chapters 18 & 130 of the Municipal Code. Schwecke stated that this proposed ordinance would address issues that have arisen over a period of time by striking some existing language and adding more clarity by adding additional language. He reviewed the language with the Committee. Decker opened the public hearing at 7:42. Decker read a letter from Karen Aikman. Aikman agreed with portions of the ordinance but was concerned with the degree of restrictions. Dick Woulfe questioned several portions of the ordinance. The hearing was closed at 7:53. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Roberts to recommend to Council the adoption of Ordinance #2007-10 with the following amendments:

Sec 130-538(c) (2) Exhibit #2 - The words “Side yard (interior lot)’ and “Side yard, street side” need to be switched.

Sec. 130-538(a) Applicability. The requirements of this section apply to fences more than 30 inches in height. Fences more than 30 inches in height constructed or reconstructed after the date of adoption of this ordinance are subject to its provisions.

Sec. 130-538(c) (5) Vertical support specifications. A vertical support, such as a post or column, shall not exceed 24 inches in width or extend more than 8 inches above the top of the highest point of the adjoining fence. A vertical support, such as a post or column, shall not exceed 24 inches in width or extend more than 24 inches above the top of the highest point of the adjoining fence.

Sec. 130-538(i) (1) One course of barbed wire may be installed above the top line of a 6-foot high chainlink fence when located in an industrial zoning district. No more than 3 courses of barbed wire may be installed above the top line of a 6-foot high chain link fence when located in an industrial zoning district.

Sec. 130-538(k) Maintenance. A fence shall be maintained in a structurally sound and attractive manner. A fence shall be maintained in a structurally sound manner.

The motion passed unanimously.

Preliminary Development Presentations. There were none.

Proposed Changes to the Future Land Use Map. The Committee walked through the list of proposed changes to institutionally classified uses.

Rock County Smart Growth Plan. Decker stated the next meeting will be on August 16, 2007 at 6:00 at the Rock County Courthouse.

Site Plan Amendments. There were none.

Redevelopment Authority. There were none.

Historic Preservation Commission. There were none.

Traditional Neighborhood Development Committee. Schwecke stated that at the last meeting, some members had suggested more members be added because the function is shifting into the Unified Land Development Committee and perhaps renaming it.

Plan Commission Recommendations. Zoning code map amendment (PUD) for Evansville Manor property, Evansville Manor applicant (Application 2007-6) approved.

Board of Appeals Actions. Schwecke stated the variance for side yard setback for Meredith McCarren at 119 Grove Street was approved.

City Planner’s Report.

I. Zoning Enforcement. Tom and Jan Davis are in compliance.

J. Zoning Enforcement. Ray Nipple spoke under Item 5.

Next Meeting Date. Due to Labor Day, the next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 4, 2007.

Adjournment. On a motion by Hammann, seconded by Roberts the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Prepared by:
Judy Walton
City Clerk

The minutes are not official until approved by the Plan Commission at their next regular meeting.