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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesPLAN COMMISSION MINUTES March 2, 2010 PRESENT: David Borsuk, Jeffrey Thorns, Thomas Fojtik, John Hinz, Dennis McHugh, Kathleen Propp, Donna Lohry, Karl Nollenberger EXCUSED: Ed Bowen, Kent Monte, Robert Vajgrt STAFF: David Buck, Principal Planner; Jeffrey Nau, Associate Planner; Deborah Foland, Recording Secretary Chairperson Fojtik called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of February 16, 2010 were approved as presented. (Nollenberger/Hinz) L ACCESS CONTROL VARIANCE TO PERMIT A TOTAL OF EIGHT DRIVEWAY OPENINGS TO 333 WEST 29 AVENUE (NE CORNER OF HUGHES STREET AND WAUKAU AVENUE) The petitioner is requesting an access control variance to permit a total of eight driveway openings to service the property at 333 West 29 Avenue (northeast corner of Hughes Street and Waukau Avenue). The property currently has seven driveway openings: two on W. Waukau Avenue, four on Hughes Street and one on W. 29 Avenue. Mr. Nau presented the item and reviewed the site and the current locations of the seven driveway openings on the parcel. He explained that it was an 80 acre parcel located in an industrial area and that the request for an eighth driveway opening would be on the south side of West 29 Avenue. He also reviewed the location for the new E -coat facility and explained that the proposed driveway opening would be to allow for fire lane access for the new building addition. He also reviewed the site plan for the new facility and commented that the new access would also be occasionally used for truck access to the site. He commented that the only condition being recommended was to provide a knox box at the security gates located at the new driveway access. Mr. Nollenberger requested an explanation of a knox box. Mr. Nau responded that it was a locked box with a security code which contained keys to the gates to allow for quicker access to the site in the event of an emergency situation. Jeffrey Rustick, Schuler & Associates, 2711 N. Mason Street, Appleton, stated that he was present as the petitioner for this request if anyone had any questions regarding the item. Mr. McHugh questioned if the new access would be constructed with a hard surface. Mr. Rustick replied that the driveway access would be constructed using asphalt with a concrete apron. Motion by Thoms to approve the access control variance to permit a total of eight driveway openings to 333 West 29` Avenue as requested with the following condition: Plan Commission Minutes March 2, 2010 1. Knox box be provided to the security gates located at the new driveway access. Seconded by Borsuk. Motion carried 8 -0. II. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DAYCARE CENTER AT 1015 WEST 10 AVENUE The applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to establish a new child daycare center within a residential district. Mr. Buck presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the current land uses in said area, the recent history of the site, and the proposed site plan. He commented that the daycare center was proposing to be operational for both day and night care and that the site layout and traffic circulation had been reviewed by multiple City departments and found to be acceptable by all parties. He further commented that the proposed landscaping and fencing on the west, east and south perimeters would serve as a buffer to the residential uses in the area. Mr. McHugh inquired if the ambient lighting from the parking lot would have a negative affect on the adjacent residential properties. Mr. Buck replied that he did not believe that the petitioner was proposing any pole lighting in the parking area and the only exterior lighting would be on the side of the building. This lighting would be required to meet code requirements which should not have an adverse affect on the neighboring properties. Mr. McHugh then questioned if stormwater management was being addressed. Mr. Buck responded that the stormwater management plans would require review and approval during the permit process and any issues would be addressed at that time. Mr. McHugh also asked if comments and concerns brought up at the Plan Commission meetings were past on to the Council and other departments of the city. Mr. Buck replied that excerpts from the minutes of the Plan Commission meetings are included with the staff reports that are distributed to the Council and copies of the minutes are distributed to various departments within the city as well. They are also posted on the website for the any other interested parties to review. Mr. Fojtik questioned if there were any concerns about traffic issues as this is located in a residential neighborhood where the streets are not prepared to handle large volumes of traffic. Mr. Buck responded that the issue was extensively discussed by staff regarding the option of using the large open area in the front of the site for drop -off and pick -up. It was determined that the site needs to maintain a 25 foot setback in the front of the building and the drop -off area in front would probably create stacking issues at peak drop- off/pick -up times. The proposed parking layout was determined to be the preferred and safest alternative. Mr. Thorns inquired if there were any other daycare centers in the city that have an evening shift. Plan Commission Minutes March 2, 2010 Mr. Buck replied that he was not aware of any. He felt that the fencing and landscaping screening of the parking lot from adjacent properties and the fact that the children would be inside for the evenings should not create a negative impact in the neighborhood. Mr. Hinz questioned if the traffic on 10 Avenue at drop -off and pick -up times would create issues. Mr. Buck responded that the parking lot should be sufficient to handle the traffic generated from the site. Mr. McHugh inquired if the adjacent property owners were notified about the request. Mr. Buck replied that a meeting notice is sent out to all adjacent property owners explaining the proposal two weeks prior to the Plan Commission meeting giving a description of the request, a copy of the site plan and both a phone number for our office and a web link to view staff reports. A "zoning petition pending" sign is also posted on the site with our office phone number for any other parties who may travel the area to be made aware that a request is being considered for this site. Mr. McHugh stated that he felt the city should routinely inform neighbors of what is going on with these requests as he felt there was a potential for problems with this proposal and no adjacent property owners appear to be present to discuss the matter. Mr. Buck responded that the office did not hear any concerns from adjacent property owners but it could be due to the fact that the site was utilized for commercial use prior to this. Kristine Garza, 8331 -24 Pine Lane, Larsen, petitioner for the request, stated that she included the fact that both day and evening child care would be provided at the site in her application material and also commented that the lighting on the site would be on the building only. She further stated that she would have liked to have a drop -off and pick -up area in the front of the building but understood the concerns about traffic issues. Ms. Propp commented that the exterior of the building did not appear to be in very good condition. Larry Olson, 1720 Western Street, general contractor for the renovations, stated that the building is in need of extensive exterior repairs and that he would be installing seven windows, as well as power washing, tuck pointing, and painting the exterior. The interior of the structure was not in bad shape but some remodeling would also be required inside to create the appropriate layout for the daycare center. Mr. Hinz questioned how many employees would be on site and if there was adequate parking to accommodate them. Ms. Garza responded that there would be eight employees with a maximum of 50 children during the day and 20 children in the evenings and that there was adequate parking as there are two extra stalls in the lot. Mr. Thorns inquired if she anticipated exceeding 20 children in the evening shift. Ms. Garza replied that the state limits evening child care to 20 children at one site so she would be proposing another site if she had applicants exceeding the limitations. Mr. McHugh asked if handicapped parking stalls were required. Plan Commission Minutes March 2, 2010 Mr. Buck responded that there would be one handicapped stall provided which meets the code standards for the size of the parking lot. Motion by Nollenberger to approve the conditional use permit for a daycare center at 101 S West 10` Avenue as requested with the following conditions: 1. Two subject parcels are combined. 2. Fencing is provided on the west, east and south lot lines to act as a buffer between the residential uses and the daycare use. Seconded by Thoms. Motion carried 8 -0. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Borsuk commented that he would like an update on the status of the west side arterial and also on the street name change for Snell Road. Mr. Thorns stated that he would like an update on the Comprehensive Plan in terms of progress made to date. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:28 pm. (ProppBorsuk) Respectfully submitted, David Buck Principal Planner Plan Commission Minutes 4 March 2, 2010