Minutes: Evansville Planning Commission: February 2008

City of Evansville Plan Commission

Regular Meeting
Monday, February 4, 2008, 6:00 pm
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mayor Sandy Decker. Present: Sandy Decker, Diane Roberts, Gil Skinner, Bill Hammann, Jim Brooks, Mason Braunschweig (arrived late), and Jeff Vrstal (arrived late). Also present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Planner Tim Schwecke, Fire Chief Mike Halvensleben, and Dean Schultz.

II. Approve Agenda. Skinner made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

III. Approve Minutes of January 3, 2008 Meeting. Skinner made a motion, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

IV. Citizen Appearances. None.

V. Action Items.
a. Fire Hall Site Plan.
i) Applicant Presentation. Dean Schultz of Excel Engineering presented the site plan, including the 17,715 sf building, parking and driveway access around the building, landscaping, wetland delineation, grading, and a stormwater pond. Plans for a separate storage building are no longer part of the proposal.

ii) Staff Report. Schwecke presented his written report. He noted that the proposal exceeds the required parking standards, sidewalks need to be added between the parking and the building, it satisfies the landscaping requirements, the lighting plan is pending the city engineer’s review, and there are no wetland impacts. The Commission noted a letter from the city engineer indicating more time would be needed to review the proposed pond and stormwater management.

iii) Commissioners Discussion. The Commission asked about on-site vehicle maintenance, washing, and fueling. Halvensleben and Schultz indicated any maintenance and washing would be done indoors where trench drains and a curb would contain any spills; fueling would not be on-site. The Commission asked about the floodplain permit. Schwecke noted that the city administers its own floodplain regulations, this site plan is based on the anticipated new FIRM maps, and this project has been approved. Schultz noted that a general DNR permit would be required because of the amount of excavation; this permit has already been approved. The Commission noted that Water Street is a designated truck route and recommended warning lights or signs for approaching traffic.

iv) Applicant Comments. Schultz noted that the pond would have a poly liner per DNR standards because of the high groundwater. The sidewalks recommended by the planner will be added.

v) Decision. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to approve the site plan contingent upon the following conditions: 1) Prior to issuance of a building permit, the city engineer shall have approved the stormwater management plan, erosion control plan, and outdoor lighting plan; 2) Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall have paid all charge back application fees that may have been assessed; 3) The applicant shall obtain a separate sign permit for all on-site signage, 4) Sidewalks shall be provided along the side of the parking lots, closest to the south and west sides of the building; and 5) “Fire Truck Entering” or similar warning signs and lights shall be installed on Water Street.

VI. Discussion Items.
a. Fees in lieu of parkland dedication. Schwecke noted that the state had recently amended the statutes to again allow collection of fees in lieu of parkland dedication. Wietecha noted that the City Code had never been amended to disallow the fees; however, it would need to be reviewed to ensure it conforms to the new statutory language. The Commission noted that the formula and amount of fees would also need to be reviewed. The Commission noted its willingness to hold a special meeting if needed to make the City Code conform to the new statutory language.

VII. Preliminary Development Presentations. None.

VIII. Rock County Smart Growth Plan. Decker indicated she expected to attend their next meeting on February 7. The land use element is on the meeting agenda.

IX. Site Plan Amendments. None.

X. CRS Application. Schwecke indicated that it is in process; FEMA will be scheduling a site visit.

XI. Redevelopment Authority. None.

XII. Historic Preservation Commission. None.

XIII. Evansville-Union Implementation Committee. Hammann noted the committee had held its first meeting. They intend to address service matters (such as street maintenance) prior to addressing policy issues (such as land use). They discussed snow plowing during the first meeting and will be discussing law enforcement next. Janis Ringhand was appointed chair, and Bob Janes was appointed vice chair.

XIV. ULDC Advisory Committee. Schwecke said they had held their initial meeting and the next meeting is February 21.

XV. Common Council Actions. Schwecke noted his written report.

XVI. Board of Appeals. None.

XVII. Enforcement. None.

XVIII. Upcoming Meeting Dates.
a. The Commission agreed to a special meeting at 6:00 on February 21 (ULDC to hold a public hearing for a conditional use permit (CUP). The applicant will be responsible for the expense of the special meeting.

b. The Commission noted the next regular meeting date of March 3, 2008.

XIX. Adjournment. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved unanimously.