Minutes; Evansville Plan Commission: May 2, 1011

City of Evansville Plan Commission
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 2, 2011, 6:00 p.m.
Evansville High School, Performing Arts Center
640 South 5th Street, Evansville, WI

MINUTES

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

2. Roll Call. Members present: Mason Braunschweig, Jim Brooks, Sandy Decker, Carol Endres, John Gishnock, and Bill Hammann. Matt Eaton was absent. Others present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Planner John Stockham, City Clerk Judy Walton and several members of the public.

3. Approval of agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve the agenda. Motion approved 6-0.

4. Approval of minutes.

A. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Endres to waive the reading of the minutes from the April 4, 2011 regular meeting and approve them as printed. Motion approved 6-0.

5. Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed. None

6. New Business

A. Site Plan Review – LiteWire Internet Services. Stockham presented his staff report and power point presentation which described the applicants request and explained the zoning, parking, stormwater management and landscaping. Dave Mueller of LiteWire, thanked city staff for their help through the site plan process.

Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hammann to approve the site plan for the LiteWire Internet Service office building.

Gishnock asked several questions of the applicant including whether an alternative driveway plan was considered, if they were going to have a dumpster (as that would require screening), and what type of lighting would be used on the building. He suggested alternate plantings and adding architectural detail to the building. Marty Howard of LiteWire responded that it was determined that the driveway plan presented was needed to handle the traffic flow, they were switching to city pickup for trash, and he explained the soffit lighting for the building. Decker confirmed with the applicants that the tower would not be moved. In response to a signage question from Endres, Stockham explained that they would be using a previously approved ground sign.

Motion approved 6-0.

7. Old Business.

A. Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Stockham presented his staff report and power point presentation which included population projections, growth in single family homes, vacant platted lots, and limitations in the direction that the city can grow.
He explained several maps including potential sewer service areas, Evansville-Union Implementation Committee recommendations, future land use plan, town subdivisions, growth phasing plan, future transportation plan, sanitary sewer facility plan, water utility facilities plan, and extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Stockham stressed that annexation can only occur if a majority of the property owners petition for annexation or if the city and town had a boundary agreement and both agreed to annex.

He explained the reasons for city expansion; the city is expected to grow, development on public utilities is more efficient and less expensive in the long-term, denser development consumes less farmland and is more environmentally efficient, and there is a large inventory of land in the town suitable for rural residential development – consumers will continue to have housing choices.

He concluded by outlining the steps that would be taken after the following public hearing if the Plan Commission approves the resolution recommending Council adoption; there would be another public hearing at the June Common Council meeting and if the ordinance is adopted the notifications and publications required by state statute would be completed.

Decker noted that some citizens arrived during the presentation and had Stockham re-display the town subdivision map and repeat that portion of his report, which included a repeat explanation of how annexations can occur.

Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hammann to take from the table the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Public Hearing. Motion approved 6-0.

Decker opened the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. and the following people spoke:
Eric Larsen, 13535 W East Union Road, Evansville
Randy Tadych, 12943 W Woodworth Drive, Evansville
Doug Zwiezig, 6037 N Finn Road, Evansville (presented a prepared statement)
Bob Janes, 8739 N Territorial Road, Evansville
Elaine Strassburg, 16826 W County Road C, Evansville
Kendall Schneider, 8104 N Evansville Brooklyn Road, Evansville
Janet Johnson, 6130 N Hyne Road, Evansville
Dolores Rohloff, 7538 N Territorial Road, Evansville
George Franklin, 13847 W State Road 59, Evansville
Doug Lee, 17535 W Emery Road, Evansville
Rich Templeton, 9808 N Evansville Brooklyn Road, Evansville
Renee Exum, W17532 County Road C, Evansville (presented a prepared statement)
Alvin Francis, 17226 W County Road C, Evansville
Charles Belk, 8035 N Ridge Court, Evansville
Kim Gruebling, 13396 N Forest Hollow Lane, Evansville

Decker closed the public hearing at 7:28 p.m.

The Commission discussed items from the public comment period including; the effects of tabling the amendment – which could ultimately result in starting the entire process over, adding language to the proposed motion to address annexation concerns, the upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant and the large effect that had on the proposed amendment, and the overall need for a long range growth plan.
Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to approve Plan Commission Resolution #2011-01 recommending that the Evansville Common Council amend the City of Evansville Comprehensive Plan, as described in the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment dated February 8, 2011. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to amend the motion by adding an annexation can only occur if a majority of the property owners petition for annexation or if the city and town have a boundary agreement and both agree to annex. Amendment approved 6-0. Main motion, as amended, approved 6-0.

B. Land Division Ordinance Amendment. Stockham reviewed the proposed amendment which, if adopted, would be incorporated into the city’s land division ordinance as the policies for land divisions in the long-range growth area.

Decker opened the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. Eric Larsen, 13535 W East Union Road, Evansville, stated he was very pleased with the amendment.

There being no other comments, Decker closed the public hearing at 8:03 p.m.

Hammann stated that the amendment was good for both the City of Evansville and Developers in terms of getting the maximum value of the land.

Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to recommend to the Common Council amendment of Chapter 110 Land Division Ordinance as proposed by staff and dated March 31, 2011. Motion approved 6-0.

8. Report on other permitting activity by City Planner. None

9. Report on Planner Solicitation. Wietecha stated he has met with some individuals and companies that requested more information and the deadline to respond is May 27th.

10. Report on the Unified Land Development Code Committee. Stockham reported that they met a month ago and he would like to meet again prior to his retirement to review the landscaping code.

11. Report of the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission. Decker reported that she was at the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions Spring Conference and learned that it is likely the nominations for the Park and St. John’s Lutheran Church will go before the state review board in August.

12. Report of the Evansville-Union Implementation Committee. None

13. Report on Common Council actions relating to Plan Commission recommendations. None

14. Report on Board of Appeals actions relating to zoning matters. None

15. Enforcement Report. None

16. Next regular meeting date. Monday, June 6, 2011

17. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Endres to adjourn at 8:07 p.m. Motion approved 6-0.

Prepared by Judy Walton, City Clerk

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