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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Planning & Zoning Minutes 04/02/2014 MINUTES CITY OF AMES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Date: April 2, 2014 Debra Lee, Chairperson 2015 Rob Bowers, Vice Chairperson 2015 Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. Yvonne Wannemuehler 2015 Julie Gould 2016 Place: Ames City Hall John Tillo 2016 Council Chambers *Carlton Basmajian 2017 Matthew Converse 2017 Adjournment: 7:36 p.m. *Absent MAJOR TOPICS DISCUSSED: 1. Public Hearing for Rezone and Master Plan of Scenic Valley Subdivision (3699 GW Carver Avenue) ____________________________________________________________________________ CALL TO ORDER: Debra Lee, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: (Wannemuehler/Gould) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of April 2, 2014. MOTION PASSED: (5 - 0) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 19, 2014: MOTION: (Gould/Bowers) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of March 19, 2014. MOTION PASSED: (5 - 0) John Tillo arrived at 7:01 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________________ PUBLIC FORUM: There were no public comments. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: MOTION: (Wannemuehler/Tillo) to nominate Debra Lee as Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOTION: (Bowers/Wannemuehler) to close nominations for Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0) MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0) to appoint Debra Lee as Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOTION: (Tillo/Converse) to nominate Rob Bowers as Vice Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOTION: (Wannemuehler/Tillo) to close nominations for Vice Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0) MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0) to appoint Rob Bowers as Vice Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission ____________________________________________________________________________ PUBLIC HEARING FOR REZONE AND MASTER PLAN OF SCENIC VALLEY SUBDIVISION (3699 GW CARVER AVENUE) Charlie Kuester outlined the various steps that the applicant has taken over the last two years in order to allow this property to be annexed into the City (the Land Use Policy Plan and the Urban Fringe Plan amendment). Mr. Kuester stated that the initial intended use was to sell a portion of the property to a senior living developer who planned to build a skilled care unit, assisted living, and independent living; however, this developer has since obtained an alternate site for this development. He stated that at that time the property was referred to as the Athen property and was owned by Jim Athen and the Athen family. Mr. Kuester stated that after this property was annexed it was given the Land Use Policy Plan designation of Village/Suburban Residential along with an Environmentally Sensitive Overlay and automatically zoned A-Agriculture. He stated that this property is approximately 120 acres in size. Mr. Kuester outlined the location and topography in and around this property on a map for those present. He explained the current zoning for this property and zoning of adjoining properties. Mr. Kuester stated that the applicant is requesting FS-RL zoning (Suburban Residential Low-Density) as allowed in the annexation agreement with the City. He explained the types of dwellings and density that are allowed in the FS-RL (Suburban Residential Low-Density) zoning district. Mr. Kuester stated that the City Council requested, at their meeting on March 4, 2014, that the developer submit a master plan for this property. He stated that 73 acres of this property are shown as developable and approximately 47 acres are protected from development. Mr. Kuester stated that the developer is proposing to build between 85-145 single family detached homes and 25-45 single family attached townhomes on this property. Mr. Kuester stated that there is a 75 foot wide easement for a natural gas line running north and south on this property. Mr. Kuester reviewed some of the language on the master plan that pertains to what is allowed in the Environmentally Sensitive Area and what the developer may do with any trees within this area. He stated that he and Kelly Diekmann walked this property and found that most of the trees on the property are “scrub” trees that are 2-3 inches in diameter or less. Mr. Kuester stated that sewer and water access is stubbed out in this area already. He outlined a sewer deficiency that lies downstream, flowing through Moore Memorial Park. Mr. Kuester said that the current sewer does not have the capacity for a full build-out of this area and Northridge Heights. He outlined what the developer has agreed to pay towards the cost of the sewer deficiency. Mr. Kuester said that staff has determined that George Washington Carver Avenue can accommodate the traffic from this site with some outlined modifications. He outlined the location of two proposed access points to this property. Mr. Kuester reviewed the Findings of Fact outlined in the Commission Action Form with the Commission. He stated that a notice was mailed to property owners within 200 f eet of this property and a sign advertising this meeting was placed on the property. Mr. Kuester stated that to date no one has voiced concern about this request. He stated that it is staff’s recommendation that the Commission recommend to the City Council to approve the request for rezoning from A-Agriculture to FS-RL Suburban Low-Density Residential with the attached Master Plan. Mr. Kuester outlined various alternatives available to the Commission regarding this request. Chuck Winkleblack, 105 South16th Street, explained that they have been working on the development of this property for several years. He stated that if their request is approved by the Commission and the City Council they will submit a preliminary plat as soon as it can be placed on the agenda. Mr. Winkleblack said that there is a need for single family detached housing in Ames. Debra Lee asked for clarification as to the approximate size of a specific area of the property and where the single family homes might be placed within this area. Mr. Winkleblack explained that the natural gas line is located in this area but there will be room for a street and one row of homes. He stated that they will stay away from the steep slopes on the property. Mr. Winkleblack explained that it is their goal to protect every healthy tree that they can as they are an amenity of this property. Tom Thielen stated that he lives on the west side of this property. He stated that he owns approximately 20 acres in this area. Mr. Thielen asked for clarification as to where his property is located in relation to this property. He spoke about the wildlife and hunters in this area. Mr. Kuester stated that this property is located within the City limits and hunting is not allowed on this property; however, Mr. Thielen’s property is located outside of the City limits and hunting is allowed subject to DNR rules. Rob Bowers outlined concerns expressed by the Commission in past proceedings regarding this property. He stated that he feels that the primary concerns have since been resolved. John Tillo stated that it appears upon reading the Commission Action Form and the applicant’s comments that development of this land fits within the Land Use Policy Plan goals. MOTION: (Bowers/Tillo) to accept Alternative #1, which states: that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends that the City Council approve the request for rezoning from A-Agriculture to FS-RL, Suburban Low Density with the attached Master Plan, based upon staff’s findings and conclusions as found in the addendum. MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0) Kelly Diekmann, Director of Planning & Housing stated that this c ase will be placed on the agenda for the City Council meeting which will be held on April 22, 2014. ____________________________________________________________________________ COMMISSION COMMENTS: Welcome was expressed to the new members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. ____________________________________________________________________________ STAFF COMMENTS: Mr. Diekmann explained the status of the Breckenridge rezone application for the south parcel that was to be heard at the last City Council meeting. He said that the applicant withdrew their application prior to the start of this meeting. Mr. Diekmann said that Council consented to hold a workshop pertaining to all three Breckenridge parcels with the applicant, City Council and general public sometime this spring. He stated that a date has not yet been determined. Mr. Diekmann stated that Breckenridge will need to begin the process again for this parcel starting with the initial application. He stated that the Commission will be invited to attend this workshop. Julie Gould asked if the middle parcel will be a part of this discussion since it has already been rezoned to RL. Mr. Diekmann stated that the third reading has taken place and the rezone for the middle parcel has been approved and the applicant can move forward with the process for this parcel at any time. Mr. Diekmann stated that the City has begun posting department highlights on the City’s website. He said that some of these items are about items that may come before the Commission. Staff reviewed the tentative agenda for the meeting of April 16, 2014. ____________________________________________________________________________ MOTION TO ADJOURN: MOTION: (Wannemuehler/Tillo) to adjourn the meeting. MOTION PASSED: (6 - 0) The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. _________________________________ ____________________________________ Debra Lee, Chairperson Lorrie Banks, Recording Secretary Planning & Zoning Commission Department of Planning & Housing S:\PLAN_SHR\Council Boards Commissions\PZ\Minutes\2014 Minutes\P&Z Minutes-04-02-14.docx