Minutes: Evansville Plan Commission: July 2011

City of Evansville Plan Commission
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, July 5, 2011, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall (Third Floor), 31 South Madison Street,

MINUTES


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

2. Roll Call. Members present: Mason Braunschweig, Jim Brooks, Sandy Decker, Matt Eaton, John Gishnock, and Bill Hammann. Carol Endres was absent. Others present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha, City Clerk Judy Walton, Alderperson Tony Wyse, Roger Berg, John Morning, and Paul Brunsell.

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

4. Approval of minutes.

A. Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to waive the reading of the minutes from the June 6, 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. Preliminary Land Division – Ace Hardware CSM. Wietecha explained that this land division would create an outlot for the existing stormwater management pond and then ownership of that outlot would be transferred to the City. He noted that the Public Works Committee recommended approval.

Decker opened the public hearing at 6:04 p.m. There were no public comments and Decker closed the public hearing at 6:05 p.m.

Braunschweig questioned whether the entire Outlot 1 on the certified survey map would be transferred to the city or just the pond. After discussion with the applicant, it was determined that the intent was to only transfer the pond. The applicant requested time to amend the survey to clarify that intent.

Hammann made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to table this item to a later meeting. Motion approved 6-0.

B. Preliminary Land Division – Westfield Meadows Lot 1 CSM and Rezoning. Wietecha explained that this land division and rezoning would create three single family homes with R-1 zoning. Currently the lot is zoned R-3 and the original plan was for an 8-unit multi-family building.

Roger Berg stated that he believes single family homes in this area would be more neighbor friendly.

Decker opened the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. There were no public comments and Decker closed the public hearing at 6:16 p.m.

Motion #1: Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hammann to recommend to Common Council approval of the proposed rezoning of Lot 1 from R-3 Residential District to R-1 Residential District. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion #2: Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hammann to recommend to Common Council approval of the preliminary land division application to create three single family lots. Motion approved 6-0.

C. Preliminary Land Division – Westfield Meadows Lots 43 and 50 Replat and Rezoning. Wietecha explained that this land division and rezoning would create 20 single family lots with R-1 zoning. Currently, one lot is zoned B-1 Commercial and the other R-3 for multi-family use.

Roger Berg stated that he believes the neighbors don’t want commercial activity and he doesn’t want to compete with the downtown businesses.

Decker opened the public hearing at 6:22 p.m. There were no public comments and Decker closed the public hearing at 6:23 p.m.

Brooks commented that the proposed changes make perfect sense.

Motion #1: Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig to recommend to Common Council approval of the proposed rezoning from B-1 Local Business District (Lot 50) and R-3 Residential Distirct (Lot 43) to R-1 Residential District, subject to LOMR issued by FEMA for all the proposed lots. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion #2: Brooks made a motion, seconded by Hammann to recommend to Common Council approval of the preliminary land division application to create 20 single-family residential lots to be referred to as Westfield Meadows 1st Addition, subject to a LOMR (Letter of Floodplain Map Revision) issued by FEMA for all the proposed lots. Hammann made a motion, seconded by Brooks to amend the motion by adding and to remove the temporary turnaround easement. Amendment approved 6-0. Main motion, as amended, approved 6-0.

D. Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Sec. 130-261 through 130-265 Landscaping Regulations. Wietecha noted that the Unified Land Development Code Committee met prior to John Stockham’s retirement with the focus being on the landscaping regulations.

Decker opened the public hearing at 6:33 p.m. There were no public comments and Decker closed the public hearing at 6:34 p.m.

Braunschweig stated that the proposed amendment simplified the language so people can use it with more ease.

Hammann suggested giving additional points for sugar maples to coincide with the tree city logo. Decker stated that although she liked the concept, having a variety of trees would be beneficial in the event of a disease invading that particular type of tree.

Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Brooks to recommend to Common Council amendment of Section 130-261 through 130-265 of the Zoning Ordinance as proposed by staff and dated June 21, 2011. Hammann moved to amend the motion to give an additional 10 points for sugar maples and oak trees. Motion failed for lack of a second. Main motion approved 6-0.

7. Old Business. None

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

9. Report on Planner Solicitation. Wietecha stated there were 11 applicants, 3 were interviewed, and he will be recommending Vierbicher for the position at the upcoming Common Council meeting. He invited the Plan Commissioner’s to a tour of the city he will be giving to Vierbicher on July 12th.

10. Report on the Unified Land Development Code Committee. Gishnock stated that the committee is pleased with their objectives and process over the past two years and they will continue to meet on an “as needed” basis. On behalf of the committee, he thanked John Stockham for his dedication, commitment, and professionalism.

11. Report of the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission. Decker stated that a regional meeting of the Wisconsin Council for Local History will be held on Monday, July 11th at Creekside Place for a day-long conference which will end with a walking tour.

12. Report on Common Council actions relating to Plan Commission recommendations. Comprehensive Plan Amendment was adopted.

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

14. Enforcement Report. None

15. Next regular meeting date. Monday, August 1, 2011.

16. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Hammann to adjourn at 6:45 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.