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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes__________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 1 March 15, 2016 PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES March 15, 2016 PRESENT: Ed Bowen, Thomas Fojtik, Steve Cummings, Kathleen Propp, Gary Gray, Robert Vajgrt, Karl Nollenberger EXCUSED: David Borsuk, Jeffrey Thoms, John Hinz, Donna Lohry STAFF: David Buck, Principal 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 March 1, 2016 were approved as presented. (Gray/Propp) IA. PARTIAL STREET VACATION OF NORTHWESTERN AVENUE LOCATED ADJACENT TO 324 WASHINGTON AVENUE IB. LAND DISPOSITION OF THE SOUTH PORTIONS OF VACATED NORTHWESTERN AVENUE Mr. Fojtik stated that items IA and IB would be presented together and action taken separately if the Commission desired. The applicant requests the vacation of a portion of Northwestern Avenue public right-of-way and City land disposition of the south ½ of two portions of vacated Northwestern Avenue. Mr. Buck presented the item and reviewed the site and surrounding area as well as the land use and zoning classifications in this area. He also reviewed the subject site and described the 87 by 36-foot area proposed to be vacated and the area of the proposed land disposition which consists of the southern half of the proposed vacation area and an 18 by 23-foot section of Northwestern Avenue previously vacated in 2000. He explained the process of how vacated properties are disposed of to adjacent property owners and that the City does not have use for their portion of the proposed vacated area or the portion of previously vacated area. He discussed the reason for the request, which was to allow for renovations to the site in the future and reviewed conceptual plans for the renovations depicting that the right-of-way area proposed to be vacated would be utilized for parking stalls that would be lost due to the renovations and future re-design of the site. He stated that staff had no concerns with the proposal other than the retention of utility easements over the vacated right-of-way area and the Parks Department request that the existing sidewalk along the south side of Northwestern Avenue remain. He also reviewed the conditions recommended for these requests. Mr. Nollenberger questioned if there would still be public access to Roe Park from Northwestern Avenue. Mr. Buck responded affirmatively and displayed on the map the area in question and stated that access would still remain from Northwestern Avenue. Mr. Gray inquired if access to the YMCA parking lot from Northwestern Avenue will remain as Madison Street is a one way street. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 2 March 15, 2016 Mr. Buck replied affirmatively and indicated that all access points will be reviewed when the redevelopment plans move forward for the renovations to the site and the YMCA’s parking lot also has access to both Merritt Avenue and Broad Street. Ms. Propp questioned if the Commission would see more exact street and driveway layouts relating to the Northwestern Avenue area when the renovation is reviewed for approval. Mr. Buck responded affirmatively. Ms. Propp then questioned if there were plans to vacate more right-of-way of Northwestern Avenue. Mr. Buck responded negatively and indicated that this would not be possible at this time as there were several residential properties to the west that require access to the right-of-way. Mr. Bowen inquired about the parcel with an R-5 zoning designation that was adjacent to Northwestern Avenue that appeared to be a parking lot and questioned if this parcel belonged to the YMCA or if it was possible to utilize this area for additional parking for the facility. Mr. Buck responded that he was not aware of the owner of that parcel and further discussed the possibilities of vacating any additional area of Northwestern Avenue. Lester Millette, 1960 Lennox Street, representing the YMCA, discussed their renovation plans which included utilizing this area for additional parking stalls. He also explained that the facility would be providing child care near the front of the building which could be more hazardous in regard to direct traffic in this area and the transfer of children from vehicles to the facility would be safer by utilizing this area for parking rather than roadway purposes. Mr. Gray suggested that the YMCA attempt to create some green space in this area when the site is renovated. Mr. Millette responded that there are plans to include green space as part of the site renovation. Mr. Gray commented about the storm water runoff from the site and his concerns with the amount of concrete in this area. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the partial street vacation of Northwestern Avenue and the land disposition for the south portions of vacated Northwestern Avenue for property located adjacent to 324 Washington Avenue with the following condition: 1) The City retains full utility easements within the proposed vacated right-of-way. Seconded by Bowen. Mr. Gray opposed the motion as he felt the items should be voted on separately. Motion by Propp to amend the motion to separate the two actions and approve the partial street vacation of Northwestern Avenue for property located adjacent to 324 Washington Avenue with the following condition: 1) The City retains full utility easements within the proposed vacated right-of-way. __________________________________ Plan Commission Minutes 3 March 15, 2016 Seconded by Vajgrt. Mr. Nollenberger mentioned that he was a member and donor to the YMCA and questioned if this would prevent him from voting on this request. It was determined that this relationship did not constitute a conflict in interest in this circumstance. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the land disposition for the south portions of vacated Northwestern Avenue located adjacent to 324 Washington Avenue. Seconded by Propp. Mr. Gray stated that since the land disposition is a larger area than the area of the proposed right-of- way vacation that it should be so noted in the motion. Mr. Vajgrt was agreeable to amending the motion to reflect this aspect. Motion by Vajgrt to approve the land disposition for the south portion of vacated Northwestern Avenue as well as the formerly vacated portion of Northwestern Avenue located adjacent to 324 Washington Avenue. Seconded by Propp. Motion carried 7-0. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:19 pm. (Vajgrt/Bowen) Respectfully submitted, David Buck Principal Planner