Plan Commission: December 2011 Minutes

City of Evansville Plan Commission

Regular Meeting

Monday, December 5, 2011, 6:00 pm

City Hall (Third Floor), 31 South Madison Street

MINUTES

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

2.     Roll Call.  Members present: Jim Brooks, John Gishnock, Carol Endres, Mason Braunschweig, Matt Eaton, and Sandy Decker.  Absent: Bill Hammann.  Others present: City Planner Ben Zellers and City Administrator Dan Wietecha.

3.     Approval of Agenda.  Brooks made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to approve the agenda.  Motion approved unanimously.

4.     Approval of Minutes.  Brooks made a motion, seconded by Eaton, to waive the reading of the minutes from the November 1, 2011, regular meeting and to approve them as printed.  Motion approved unanimously.

5.     Citizen Appearances.  None.

6.     New Business.

a.     Outdoor Storage. 

                                                    i.     Zellers noted that Common Council had already had first reading of proposed Ordinance 2011-17, Amending Chapter 130 of the Municipal Code Relative to Outdoor Storage in Light Industrial District.  The advisory Unified Land Code Committee had reviewed and recommended the ordinance.  The ordinance basically brings existing practices in the light industry district into compliance with the zoning regulations.

                                                  ii.     Mayor Decker opened the public hearing at 6:10.  With no public comments, the hearing was closed at 6:11.

                                                 iii.     Gishnock asked about the need for a conditional use permit (CUP) given that conditions such as screening are already explicit in the regulations; there may be other more unique conditions to consider on a case by case basis.  Endres asked about inoperative vehicles and vehicle parts; the ordinance prohibits junk and salvage yards, similar concerns may be addressed with the CUP, and the city would still be able to enforce complaints for storage not associated with the business.  Gishnock suggested striking “completely” from paragraph 130-452(2)a.  The Commission noted the overall goal was to allow storage which would still be compatible with neighboring properties.

                                                 iv.     Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Endres, to strike “completely” from paragraph 130-452(2)a and recommend approval of Ordinance 2011-17 to the Common Council, finding that the proposed changes to the Zoning Code are consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and will enhance the business climate of the City without negatively impacting the desired consistency of land uses within the City.  Braunschweig moved, seconded by Brooks, to amend the motion by striking “shall be a minimum of eight feet in height and” from paragraph 130-452(2)a.  Amendment passed unanimously.  Original motion, as amended, passed unanimously.

7.     Permitting Activity.  Zeller commented he anticipates a couple CUP applications on the January agenda.

8.     Unified Land Code Advisory Committee.  Zellers said the Committee met November 17 and discussed the outdoor storage ordinance, zero lot line duplex regulations, conceptual review of CUP and re-zoning applications, and sign regulations.  Wietecha noted that the committee is advisory and its recommendations will be on a future Plan Commission agenda for further discussion.

9.     Historic Preservation Committee.  No report.

10.  Common Council.  No report.

11.  Board of Appeals.  No recent meeting.

12.  Enforcement.  A couple signs on South Union and East Main have been addressed.

13.  Meeting reminder.  Next regular meeting is Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

14.  Adjournment.  Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Eaton, to adjourn the meeting.  Motion approved unanimously at 6:25 pm.