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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Plan Commission Minutes 1 June 19, 2007 PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 19, 2007 PRESENT: David Borsuk, Ed Bowen, Thomas Fojtik, Paul Lowry, Paul Esslinger, Kathleen Propp, Cathy Scherer, Jeff Thorkildsen, John Weinsheim EXCUSED: Meredith Scheuermann, Jon Dell’Antonia STAFF: Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services; David Buck, Principal Planner; Jackson Kinney, Director of Community Development; Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works; Deborah Foland, Recording Secretary Chairperson Scherer called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of June 5, 2007 were approved as presented. Mr. Bowen arrived at 4:02 pm. I.A. PRIVILEGE IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THE INTERSECTION OF KNAPP STREET AND POBEREZNY ROAD FOR THE INSTALLATION OF FIBER OPTIC CABLE The petitioner is requesting the approval of the installation of fiber optic cable at the intersection of Knapp Street and Poberezny Road as part of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) internal networking plans to connect EAA facilities via a fiber optic system. Jon Gruber, MI-Tech Services, 1700 Industrial Drive, Green Bay, representing EAA, was present to answer any questions regarding this request. Mr. Burich commented that a condition was being added to all requests of this type that the facility be part of and documented with Digger’s Hotline system. Steve Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works, added that this condition was being applied to all requests of this nature to ensure that the locations of these lines are documented to prevent future damage during reconstruction projects. There was no further discussion on this item. Mr. Weinsheim arrived at 4:05 pm. I.B. PRIVILEGE IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY (VARIOUS LOCATIONS) FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PRIVATE ELECTRICAL AND SIGNAL DUCTBANKS The petitioner is requesting the approval of the installation of private electrical and signal ductbanks across Pearl Avenue and High Avenue near Rockwell Avenue and across Algoma Boulevard at Woodland Avenue, as part of the University’s electrical substation replacement/relocation/expansion project. The existing substation is being moved to provide the site for a new academic building currently in design. There was no discussion on this item. Plan Commission Minutes 2 June 19, 2007 Motion by Propp to move approval of the consent agenda as requested with the following conditions to be applied to Item I.A.: 1) The fiber optic system be installed in a manner that is approved by the Dept. of Public Works with no modifications or changes in construction procedure without prior approval by the Dept. of Public Works. 2) If no longer needed, the fiber optic cable be properly abandoned and removed in accordance with City standards and under the direction of the Dept. of Public Works. 3) Any problem which may arise as a result of the placement of the fiber optic cable be the responsibility of the petitioner, contractors and owner to correct in coordination with the Dept. of Public Works. 4) All appropriate permits be obtained prior to the start of placement of the fiber optic cable. 5) The fiber optic system be modified or removed immediately upon the request of the City. 6) The facility be part of and documented with Digger's Hotline system. 7) The petitioner and contractors secure and submit to the City Clerk a separate insurance policy which names the City as an additional insured with a minimum coverage of $200,000 per person and $500,000 in general aggregate. 8) It is the responsibility of the petitioner to file in a timely manner a new insurance certificate with the City Clerk upon expiration of an existing certificate. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of the privilege in street upon 10 days notice. 9) The petitioner and contractors execute hold harmless agreements with the City. And the following conditions to be applied to Item I.B.: 1) The private electrical and signal ductbanks be installed in a manner that is approved by the Dept. of Public Works with no modifications or changes in construction procedure without prior approval by the Dept. of Public Works. 2) If no longer needed, the private electrical and signal ductbanks be properly abandoned and removed in accordance with City standards and under the direction of the Dept. of Public Works. 3) Any problem which may arise as a result of the placement of the private electrical and signal ductbanks be the responsibility of the petitioner, contractors and owner to correct in coordination with the Dept. of Public Works. 4) All appropriate permits be obtained prior to the start of placement of the private electrical and signal ductbanks. 5) The private electrical and signal ductbanks be modified or removed immediately upon the request of the City. 6) The facility be part of and documented with Digger's Hotline system. 7) The petitioner and contractors secure and submit to the City Clerk a separate insurance policy which names the City as an additional insured with a minimum coverage of $200,000 per person and $500,000 in general aggregate. 8) It is the responsibility of the petitioner to file in a timely manner a new insurance certificate with the City Clerk upon expiration of an existing certificate. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of the privilege in street upon 10 days notice. 9) The petitioner and contractors execute hold harmless agreements with the City. Seconded by Borsuk. Motion carried 9-0. Plan Commission Minutes 3 June 19, 2007 II. MODIFY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVAL AT 1120 E. PARKWAY AVENUE (former Mercy Medical Center) The petitioner is requesting approval of a three-lot land division/certified survey map for the former Mercy Medical Center site (now Parkside Apartments and vacant former hospital space). The purpose of the CSM is to separate the vacant former hospital structure from the developed market rate apartments and to create an additional lot for future development along Grove Street, which represents a modification of the original development plan. Base standard modifications will be required due to a proposed lot line with no setbacks and cross parking/access easements. Mr. Esslinger inquired if this modification would have implications on how the TIF funds will be paid. Mr. Burich responded no that the TIF funds go towards the entire debt in this area. Mr. Weinsheim commented that the schedule for the CRL property completion was 2008 and he was wondering what the timeline on the completion of the proposed townhouses would be. He also questioned what the plans were in regard to the demolition of the boiler building and if the canopy on Hazel Street was to remain. Mr. Burich replied that the hospital redevelopment project would be under way first and the development of the townhouses would begin after completion of the hospital structure. He was not sure what plans the developers had for the demolition of the boiler building, but the canopy on Hazel Street was going to remain intact and was addressed in the conditions for approval of this request that an encroachment agreement be approved by the Department of Public Works and recorded with the Register of Deeds. Ms. Scherer inquired if parking for the development would now all be located in the internal area of the existing lot. She also asked if the only change to the original site plan was the addition of Lot 3. Mr. Burich responded that the original plan was to leave the parking area as is, but the revised plan was utilizing the internal area only for parking and adding the townhouses along Grove Street which would add more value to the property. Ms. Propp asked what work was currently being performed on the hospital structure and if that work had already been approved. Mr. Burich replied that he believed asbestos abatement work was currently being completed on the site and it had the necessary approval. Motion by Weinsheim to approve the CSM/land division and the CUP/PD modification for 1120 E. Parkway Avenue as requested with the following conditions: 1) Recording a sidewalk easement along Parkway Avenue per the Department of Public Works. 2) Cross parking/cross access agreement, to be approved by the Department of Community Development and recorded with the Register of Deeds. Agreements to include access to the trash enclosure area for the apartments. 3) Encroachment agreement for the canopy area in the Hazel Street right-of-way to be approved by the Department of Public Works and recorded with the Register of of Deeds. 4) Approval by Inspection Services for a common building property line between Lots 1 and 2 and all necessary easements as required. Plan Commission Minutes 4 June 19, 2007 Seconded by Fojtik. Motion carried 9-0. III. REVIEW OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION REPORT 2005-2006 Mr. Burich presented a review of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Report for 2005-2006. He stated that the plan contained nine required elements with each element having a set of goals, objectives, and implementation actions. He gave a brief overview of the nine elements and the Top 13 Implementation items. Mr. Esslinger left the meeting at 4:20 pm. Jackson Kinney, Director of Community Development, reported on the progress of the Downtown Action Plan and stated that the Department would be bringing an annual implementation report to the Plan Commission to keep the board abreast of the status of the implementation activities covered in the City’s Downtown Action Plan. Mr. Kinney distributed a summary overview of projects partially completed, completed, and projects in the planning stages and discussed the nine critical focus areas in the Downtown Action Plan and the progress made on these items and reviewed various photos of sites: Mr. Borsuk inquired about if any study had been done on the renovation of the Convention Center to see if this project was a wise investment for the downtown area or if the City should consider a location near Highway 41 for the Center. He also commented that he did not feel that the 100 N. Main Street apartment project made financial sense and that office space would have been more feasible in that area. He further stated that due to the lack of liquor licenses available to new developments that the City should consider taking licenses not being utilized and hold them for distribution to new developments. Mr. Kinney responded that in the early 80’s, the Convention Center was deemed to be an important component for the community in the downtown area and a market study was done in 2001 which recommended that improvements needed to be done to the Center and it was relevant in bringing business to the downtown area. He stated that from a a land use standpoint, the 100 Block apartments have been a good fit in the downtown. There have been some economic issues but an office building alone could have larger vacancy issues and, at this time, all the apartment units have been leased. Mr. Kinney commented that the City Council was handling the liquor license issues and that the City has been working with State legislators to see if any changes could be made in the current laws relating to these licenses. Ms. Scherer commented that substantial work has been done to complete the pedestrian and bicycle path along the shoreline and she was wondering what could be done about the redevelopment of Pioneer Island. Mr. Kinney replied that the City has been working with Decades and the State of Wisconsin in an effort to redevelopment the site, but encountered issues with the DNR in regard to the site. An agreement has been reached that has the ability to move the project forward and hopefully it will make progress in the next year. The developer will be able to hold the liquor license for the property for one more year and will need to make a decision on what type of project they want to proceed with for the site. Mr. Bowen questioned what steps were being taken to implement the development plans for improvements to the downtown and the Riverwalk. Mr. Kinney responded that since part of Main Street is US Highway 45, the state would be stepping in and paying for a significant portion of reconstruction work in this area and the City is working with the Plan Commission Minutes 5 June 19, 2007 state on their schedule of highway improvements. The Riverwalk plans have been divided into segments and, at this time, the Marion Road segment is in progress. Mr. Borsuk inquired if TIF funds could assist in helping the Convention Center and Riverwalk projects to move forward. Mr. Kinney replied that further evaluation of the property is needed before a determination could be made if that would be feasible. The Riverwalk project is extremely important for recreational purposes but further study needs to be completed for the placement of a boardwalk section along the Park Plaza property. Ms. Propp commented that it would be beneficial to complete the north side of the Riverwalk as it is further along. Mr. Kinney agreed and stated that the south side of the river has more challenges to complete the plan. Mr. Borsuk commented on the 20-25 year time frame for the build out of the planned west side arterial and stated that he felt a more aggressive timetable was needed to to implement the street improvements. He also commented that the City needs to work with UW-Oshkosh on their master plan to expand course offerings to more than the business and nursing studies. Ms. Scherer inquired when we would be reviewing and approving the final draft of the parking ordinance revisions that were discussed at a workshop earlier this spring. Mr. Burich responded that the parking ordinance revisions were scheduled to be on the last several agendas, but due to the quantity of other items to be reviewed at these meetings, the ordinance revisions were postponed. It is scheduled to be on the agenda for the July 3rd meeting and then will be forwarded to the City Council for final approval. The revisions to the mechanical screening and home occupations ordinances also still require final approval. Mr. Fojtik commented on the unattractiveness of the Highway 76 corridor into the City and questioned how that fits into the long-range plans of the City. Mr. Burich replied that the City’s intentions are to preserve and improve the gateway corridors and would like to improve the design standards in these areas and possibly develop some type of overlay district for these corridors. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 5:10 pm. Respectfully submitted, Darryn Burich Director of Planning Services