Minutes: Evansville Planning Commission: August 2009

City of Evansville Plan Commission
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 3, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall (Third Floor), 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI

MINUTES

1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Chair Mayor Sandy Decker.

2. Roll Call. Members Present: Mason Braunschweig, Jim Brooks Sandy Decker, Carol Endres, John Gishnock, Bill Hammann and Diane Roberts. Others Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Clerk Judy Walton, City Planner John Stockham and Dave Mueller of LiteWire.

3. Approval of agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve the agenda as printed. Motion approved unanimously.

4. Approval of minutes.
A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to waive the reading of the minutes from the July 6, 2009 regular meeting and approve them as printed. Motion approved unanimously.

5. Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed. None

6. Public Hearing – Zoning Ordinance Amendment Re: Communication Towers. Stockham explained that this proposed ordinance change would broaden the range of districts that would allow communication towers. The Commission clarified the sections of the code proposed for revision. Decker opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. Dave Mueller of LiteWire stressed the importance of a tower to his business. Decker closed the public hearing at 6:11 p.m.

7. Action items.

A. Zoning Ordinance Amendment Re: Communication Towers. Hammann and Gishnock commented on the amendments recommended by the Unified Land Development Code Advisory Committee. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to recommend to Common Council approval of Sections 130-503, 130-764, 130-794, 130-824, 130-854, and 130-874 City of Evansville Municipal Code of Ordinances to allow communication towers as conditional use accessory uses in the B-1Local Business District, B-2 Central Business District, B-3 Community Business District, B-4 Regional Business District, and B-5 Special Use Business District. If unused for a period of twenty-four (24) months communication towers, pads, and any associated equipment must be removed by the property owner. Motion approved unanimously.

B. Conditional Use Permit – LiteWire Internet Services, Inc. Communication Tower. Stockham reviewed his staff report for the conditional use permit for 565 E Main Street. Decker opened the public hearing at 6:25 p.m. Dave Mueller of LiteWire explained the difficulty he had finding a building for his business, adding that this location backs up to industrial property. He repeated the importance of the communication tower to his business. Decker closed the public hearing at 6:27 p.m. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts to approve a Conditional Use Permit for a communication tower to be installed by LiteWire Internet Service at 565 E Main Street subject to the conditions as contained in the staff report. Motion approved unanimously.

8. Report on Other Permitting Activity by City Planner. Stockham stated he received an inquiry on a pizza establishment and an inquiry on fencing at Inn Care.

9. Report of the Unified Land Development Code Committee. Stockham stated the committee does not intend to rewrite all land use ordinances but are reviewing select ones to streamline.

10. Report of the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission. None

11. Report of the Evansville-Union Implementation Committee. Hammann stated the map overlays are done with inconsistencies identified.

12. Update on Common Council actions relating to Plan Commission recommendations. None

13. Update on Board of Appeals actions relating to zoning matters

14. Update on Rock County Smart Growth Plan. Decker stated the last meeting was July 7th and the plan goes on to the County Board.

15. Enforcement. None

16. Special Meeting Reminder. Joint meeting of Evansville Plan Commission and City Council, Union Plan Commission and Town Board, and Rock County Planning Staff on Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 pm at Fire Hall. Decker added that no action will be taken at the meeting.

17. Next regular meeting date. Tuesday, September 1, 2009

18. Motion to adjourn. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to adjourn at 6:42 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.