Minutes: Plan Commission: September 2008

City of Evansville Plan Commission
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 2, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall (Third Floor), 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

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

2. Roll Call. Members Present: Jim Brooks, Sandy Decker, John Gishnock, Bill Hammann, Diane Roberts, and Gil Skinner. Member Absent: Mason Braunschweig. Others Present: City Administrator, Dan Wietecha; City Planner, Tim Schwecke. Several members of the public were also present.

3. Approve Agenda. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Skinner to approve the agenda as printed. Motion approved unanimously.

4. Approve Minutes. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to waive the reading of the minutes from the August 4, 2008 regular meeting and to approve them as printed. Motion approved unanimously.

5. Citizen Appearances other than agenda items listed. None

6. Action Items. Items 6A & 6B were acted on after 6C & 6D to allow time for Fire Department representatives to arrive.

A. Conditional use to establish a communication tower at 425 Water Street, Evansville Area Fire Department, applicant (Application 2008-28). Fire Chief, Mike Halvensleben, explained the need for and the location of the tower. Their existing tower will remain in place for the Police Department, as that is the most cost effective option. Schwecke reviewed his staff report. Brooks suggested changing the staff recommendation by replacing fire department with emergency services providers. Decker opened the public hearing at 6:25 p.m. Bob Janes questioned the limitations of the antennas. Schwecke explained that towers are designed with a specific load and too many antennas would negatively affect the tower. Decker closed the public hearing at 6:27 p.m. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Roberts to act on the application (not defer to a later date). Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Skinner to approve the application with the conditions as contained in the staff report based on the findings as contained in the staff report and the conclusion that the public benefits of the proposed use outweigh any and all potential adverse impacts, if any. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Skinner to amend the motion by changing the staff recommendation by deleting the words fire department and inserting the words emergency services providers. Motion approved unanimously. Main motion, as amended, approved unanimously.

B. Site plan for 100-foot antenna at 425 Water Street, Evansville Area Fire Department, applicant (Application 2008-29). Fire Chief, Mike Halvensleben, stated the tower was to be placed close to the building to improve reception. Schwecke reviewed his staff report. Anti-climbing precautions, lighting and tower base support were discussed. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Skinner to approve the application with conditions as contained in the staff report (and other conditions as may be imposed by the Commission). Motion approved unanimously.

C. Conditional use to establish a 3-unit multi-family building at 28-30 Garfield Avenue, Eager Fox LLC, applicant (Application 2008-30). John Willoughby stated that the property has been a 3-unit since 1946 and therefore the applicant is not creating anything new. He added that use of the dwelling was discontinued for 12-18 months for repair and upgrades. Chris Eager, applicant, explained the property’s driveway and onsite parking. The dwelling is required to have a firewall added and cosmetic repairs need to be done. Schwecke reviewed his staff report with the Commission. Decker opened the public hearing at 6:10 p.m. No one spoke. Decker closed the public hearing at 6:11 p.m. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Brooks to act on the application (not defer to a later date). Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Skinner to approve the application with the conditions as contained in the staff report based on the findings as contained in the staff report and the conclusion that the public benefits of the proposed use outweigh any and all potential adverse impacts, if any. Motion approved unanimously.

D. Site plan for 3-unit multi-family building at 28-30 Garfield Avenue, Eager Fox LLC, applicant (Application 2008-31). Schwecke reviewed his written report, explaining the need for the conditional use was due to the period of time the dwelling was vacant. The Commission discussed the parking layout. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the application with conditions as contained in the staff report (and other conditions as may be imposed by the Commission). Motion approved unanimously.

7. Discussion items.
A. Update on development agreement for Celtic Ridge Subdivision. Wietecha stated the first reading of the annexation ordinance will be presented to Council next week.

B. Report of Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) Advisory Committee. Hammann led the discussion regarding the sewer service maps. They have not received the southwest quadrant map.

C. City Planner Request for Proposals (RFP). Wietecha stated these should be mailed by the end of next week.

8. Preliminary development presentations. None.

9. Update and discussion regarding Rock County’s draft smart growth comprehensive plan. Decker directed the Commission to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Element information in the packet. The next meeting is 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16th. It is anticipated that the draft of the Housing Chapter will be approved and the first drafts of the Intergovernmental Chapter and the Economic Development Chapter will be presented. The next meeting will be November 20th and the final meeting is scheduled for December 18th.

10. Update on administrative review of Site Plan Amendments. None.

11. Update on submittal of Community Rating Score (CRS) application. None.

12. Report of Evansville Redevelopment Authority.
A. Transit Orientated Development. Wietecha stated this is in early discussion, but on the radar screen.

13. Report of the Historic Preservation Commission.
A. Additional Historic Districts - State Historic Society Meeting September 20th. Decker stated there was an intensive survey done in 2006. There are potentially two additional areas identified as historic districts.

14. Future Utility Service Area Maps. Discussed previously under Item 7B.

15. Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) Advisory Committee. Hammann stated they are starting land use.

16. Update on Common Council Actions relating to Plan Commission recommendations. None.

17. Update on Board of Appeals actions relating to zoning matters. None.

18. Enforcement. None.

19. Upcoming Meetings. Monday, October 6, 2008.

20. Adjournment. Roberts made a motion, seconded by Skinner, to adjourn at 7:04 p.m. Motion approved unanimously.

Prepared by:
Judy Walton
City Clerk

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