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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2012 PRESENT: Ed Bowen, Jeff Thoms, Tom Fojtik, John Hinz, Steve Cummings, Kathy Propp, Donna Lohry, Bob Vajgrt, Karl Nollenberger EXCUSED: David Borsuk STAFF: Darryn Burich, Planning Director; David Buck, Principal Planner; Darlene Brandt, Recording Secretary Chairman Fojtik called the meeting to order at 4 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of September 18, 2012 were approved as distributed (Lohry/Hinz). I. GRANT UTILITY EASEMENT TO WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE / WIOUWASH TRAIL AREA, NORTH OF RIVER MILL ROAD Mr. Buck stated Wisconsin Public Service Corp. is requesting the City to grant them a 12 ft. wide utility easement on a portion of the WIOUWASH Trail, north of River Mill Road, to relocate a gas line. The current gas line runs along the Fox River seawall, but the seawall is in poor condition making repairs/ maintenance difficult. Mr. Bowen stated the Trail in this area is used a lot and he would like to keep the trail open as much as possible during construction. Mr. Steve Gohde, Oshkosh Department of Public Works, stated staff has reviewed the request and is recommending the easement location be moved to run 12 feet wide parallel to the northeast property line to allow for future City utility installation in this area as well. Motion by Bowen to approve granting a utility easement to Wisconsin Public Service with the following conditions: 1) The easement run 12 feet wide parallel to the northeast property line. 2) Every effort be made to keep the WIOUWASH Trail open to the public during installation/construction of the gas line. Seconded by Vajgrt. Motion carried 9-0 II. ACCEPT UTILITY EASEMENT AT 1324 BISMARCK AVENUE Mr. Buck stated the Department of Public Works is recommending accepting a utility easement from the owner at 1324 Bismarck Avenue. This area has experienced flooding and a yard drain and storm sewer will be installed at the northeast corner of the property to help alleviate excess runoff across the sidewalk which is creating a safety issue at different times of the year. Plan Commission Minutes Page 1 Mr. Fojtik inquired if the owner has approved of the request. Mr. Gohde stated staff has worked with the owner to address this issue. Motion by Vajgrt to accept the easement as requested. Seconded by Bowen. Motion carried 9-0. III. TEXT AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 30-36 OFF STREET PARKING & LOADING FACILITIES Mr. Buck stated staff is requesting approval of three minor amendments to the off-street parking and loading facilities regulations that were adopted in 2008. The first amendment relates to removing the necessity for a variance for shared driveways when they are reconstructed. The second amendment relates to removing the limitation of an accessory parking stall between a garage and rear lot line. And the third amendment would remove the limitation on one-way traffic movement for angled parking stall facilities. Ms. Lohry inquired how the first amendment would impact properties in the University area. She felt this could create more parking problems. Mr. Buck noted the amendment would apply to both owner occupied and rental properties. The amendment should make it easier to reconstruct existing shared driveways. You do not see many, if any, new shared driveways being constructed. Mr. Hinz stated that if there is not an approved/recorded cross parking agreement, one would need to be recorded before the driveway could be rebuilt. Mr.Buck replied yes. Mr. Thoms inquired if the second amendment deals with corner lots only. There are a lot of large lots in the City that could take advantage of this additional parking/driveway scenario. Mr. Buck stated the amendment could apply to most lots in the City. Mr. Buck pointed out, however, that screening requirements would still apply when these parking areas are constructed. Mr. Thoms felt the amendment should only be for corner lots. The majority of those present concurred with Mr. Thoms. Mr. Burich stated that typically a detached garage would be built close to the rear and side lot lines and the proposed amendment would provide for an additional parking/boat storage area. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance with the second amendment being changed to address only corner lots. Seconded by Cummings. Motion carried 9-0. Plan Commission Minutes Page 2 DIRECTORS REPORT Mr. Burich noted that Council added a condition of approval to the conditional use permit request for the church on South Park Avenue that will only permit parking for church related activities. Mr. Burich noted the former Gunderson Cleaners building on High Avenue was being razed. He thanked Community Development Director Allen Davis for spearheading this issue. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm (Vajgrt/Hinz) Respectfully submitted Darryn Burich Planning Director Plan Commission Minutes Page 3