A) CALL TO ORDER.
Dennis Kusina called the meeting to order, at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Hodgson, Fels, Flanders, Bennett, Whitney, Barrett, Dobulis, and Kusina.
Member absent: John Campbell, excused.
Staff present: Harsh and Manore.
B) INQUIRY INTO POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
None noted.
C) APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
Approved as printed.
D) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING.
Hodgson moved that the minutes of November 11, 2002 be approved, as printed. Motion supported by Bennett.
E) PUBLIC HEARINGS.
1) Public Hearing for Case #02-25RZ - Country Days, Inc. rezoning request. - Reschedule.
Bennett moved, supported by Fels, to instruct staff to set a date for the public hearing, at a future meeting. Motion carried.
2) Public Hearing for Section 5.221 - Continuance of Use.
Harsh explained the proposed changes, and explained that this wording will be clearer, and will prevent problems in interpreting the wording and enforcement.
Hodgson stated he did not think the existing wording is bad, and that adding more restrictions will make it harder on people who want to add on. He didn’t feel that adding on to a structure that is already too close would make a difference.
Fels disagreed stating that if a neighbor’s house is too close in a small area, it certainly would be worse if that wall was extended along the length of the house. This could allow the buildings to be too close for fire safety, as well as affecting light and airflow to the neighboring buildings.
Harsh agreed with Fels, that it could negatively affect neighboring properties, and that this amendment would take care of that.
Fels moved, supported by Dobulis, to recommend approval of the proposed amendment to 5.221, as modified.
F) NEW BUSINESS.
1) Set a public hearing for the proposed amendment to Section 5.92 (18-19) of the zoning ordinance.
The Planning Commission directed the staff to set the proposed amendment for a public hearing for the proposed amendment to Section 5.92 (18 & 19), at a future meeting.
2) Set a public hearing for the proposed amendment to Section 5.12 (7) of the zoning ordinance.
The Planning Commission directed the staff to set the proposed amendment for a public hearing on the proposed amendment to Section 5.12 (7) of the zoning ordinance.
3) Discussion regarding Section 5.32 (8) and Section 5.11 (4) of the zoning ordinance.
Mr. Harsh explained the problem with interpreting the wording in these sections, concerning the way to measure height, as well as the definition of story. Jim Young, the City’s attorney suggested the wording be reviewed. Harsh is working on the wording, and will bring it back to the Commission for review.
4) Discussion of Bi-monthly meetings of the Planning Commission.
Mr. Harsh explained that our meetings have been relatively short in the recent past, and this will allow us to combine more cases at one meeting. He explained that the Commission could still have more meetings, if needed on a case-by-case basis.
Bennett moved, supported by Hodgson, to hold meetings every other month, beginning in February 2003, unless needed more often. Motion carried.
5) Approval of 2003 meeting schedule.
The Commission approved the 2003 meeting schedule, beginning in February 2003, unless needed more often.
6) Election of Officers for 2003.
Flanders nominated Dennis Kusina for Chairman, supported by Whitney. There being no other nominations, Dennis Kusina was elected Chair for 2003.
Whitney moved, supported by Bennett, to keep the rest of the slate the same for 2003. There being no objections, Richard Hodgson was elected as Vice Chair, and Barbara Fels was elected Secretary for the year 2003.
G) OLD BUSINESS.
None.
H) PUBLIC INPUT, NOT RELATED TO OTHER AGENDA ITEMS.
None.
I) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
There are more minor zoning ordinance amendments coming up, in addition to the public hearings we moved to set at tonight’s meeting.
J) ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business to discuss, Fels moved, supported by Lenhart, to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara A. Fels
Secretary