HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-2000 Planning Commission MinutesThe Planning & Zoning Commission met Monday, June 5, 2000 at 5:OOPM at the City
Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street
Present: Larry Green, Chairman; members Bob Gentle, Pauline Anders, Dick Charles,
Tim Kant, Bill Jones, Lee Turner. Christopher Baker, Director of Planning &
Zoning and Betty Rivenbark, Secretary
A comment was made that the Robin Herndon application will be heard at the July 2000
meeting.
The minutes of the May 1, 2000 meeting were considered and approved with one
correction noted on motion by Bill Jones, 2"d by Dick Charles and unanimously carried
SDOO-34 Final Plat Approval - Rock Creek Phase 7(located between phases 5 and 6)
Christopher Baker was asked for his comments and said that this a 39 lot subdivision
on 26.46 acres and is part of the Rock Creek PUD. That preliminary plat approval was
given in May and the final plat substantially conforms to the preliminary plat. He said
the project is currently under construction and the required bond for public
improvements has been provided. Staff recommendation was for approval subject to
the public improvements being completed with the understanding that no building
permits will be issued until the council has accepted the improvements. Dick Charles
moved that said approval be given subject to completion of improvements. Bill Jones
2"d and motion carried unanimously. A Mr. Foster spoke expressing concern that he
had heard rumors that this property was going to be sold for a cheaper value than what
is already there and that people are worried about their property values. Mr. Corte said
he did not know where they heard this that it is untrue
ZCOO-07 Public Hearing zoning change from RA -Residential Agricultural to R2-
Single Family Residential land of Michael Wesley located east of Cty Rd 27 and
north of Windmill Rd. Mr. Baker commented that this was a 4 acre parcel that Mr.
Wesley is proposing to build single family residences on in the near future, that this
request is conformance with the comprehensive plan. He recommended approval.
Dick Charles moved to recommend approval to the City Council, Tim Kant 2"d motion
and it carried unanimously.
ZCOO-08 Public Hearing zoning change from B-2 General Business to R-4 land of
Mercy Medical (generally located east of Greeno Road just north of Sears) Christopher
had said that this is the old Bay Ball facility which adjoins R4 property they already own
and Mercy Medical wishes to construct individual cottages for lease on the property.
That there is a setback issue if they try to develop between the 2 adjoining parcels if it
remains B2 and R4. He went on to say that this would be a down zoning and is less
intensive. He recommended approval as it reduces the amount of vacant commercial
property and is down zoning. Bob Gentle moved to recommend approval to the City
Council, Dick Charles 2"d and motion carried unanimously.
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ZC00-011 Public Hearing zoning change from R-1 Single Family Residential to B2-
General Business land of Shirley Ann Bosby(generally located on the east side of
Greeno Rd just north of the Biscuit King). Mr. Baker had stated that this parcel
contains some 19,400 ft and Randy Niemeyer was present representing the property
owner in this request and plans to construct an office building on this property. That
the comprehensive plan indicates that this should be single family. Mr. Baker's
recommendation was to deny as it is not in conformance with the comprehensive plan.
Several residents immediately behind this property spoke saying they do not wish to
have a business in front of them. Mr. Niemeyer said this would be an 8-5 business only
and argued merits of business already up and down Greeno Rd. not deviating from
what already there, that residential is not desirable there. Pauline Anders said she felt
like this is premature since the experts are reviewing our comprehensive plan now.
That we need to hold the line someplace, not creep into residential. Mr. Niemeyer said
he would consider B4. Further discussion led to a motion by Dick Charles to zone B4.
Motion was withdrawn after there was no second and more discussion followed on
whether he could withdraw until the comprehensive plan completed. Christopher said
no, once public hearing opened it goes forward, he said that it may be August -
September before we have a recommendation from planners. There was no further
motion made so zoning change request was denied.
ZC00-12 Zoning change from R1-Low Density Family Residential to R-3 Single
Family Residential Fairfield Financial, LLC Multiple lots(generally located on the
north side of Cty Rd 44 between Boothe Rd and Cty Rd 13) Christopher commented
that this property was recently annexed into the city and when annexed zoning is a
straight R-1. He said that Fairfield when developed was located outside the city but
that Mr. Monroe is asking for a zoning change so that the setbacks and the size of the
lots more closely match that of the deed restrictions in the subdivision. Staff
recommendation was to approve so that what developed more closely matches the
zoning in the subdivision. Discussion followed explaining to an interested property
owner why this was necessary and that it will not affect lot sizes or covenants already
in place. Dick Charles moved to recommend approval to city council, Lee Turner 2nd
and motion carried unanimously.
ZC00-09 Public hearing to consider amending the curb cut requirements in the
Zoning Ordinance. Christopher reported that the current ordinance on commercial
curb cuts is a maximum 20 ft. This does not work, proposing to change to 24'. Staff
recommended approval. Dick Charles recommended approval to city council as
written, Pauline Anders 2"d, motion carried unanimously.
SD00-31 Preliminary Plat of Sandy Ford Phase 1 property Achee/Berglin(generally
located east and south of Rock Creek) Christopher was asked to comment and said
this was recently annexed and zoned as a PUD. That they are proposing to develop
the first phase containing some 31 acres and 42 lots. That it is in conformance with the
comprehensive plan, that the plat and the PUD are in conformance, drainage has been
certified by the engineer that it meets the requirements of the subdivision regulations.
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Public water and sewer will be used, greenspace is provided and sidewalks will be
constructed. They are proposing access thru Clubhouse Drive. He did mention that
there is pending litigation regarding this property and the City Attorney has advised that
it is in order for the Planning Commission to consider the plat as long as the developer
is advised that they are proceeding at their own risk. This notice has been passed on
to the developer. Staff recommended approval subject to advising the developer they
are proceeding at their own risk. Doug Bailey, engineer on the project, said he would
answer any questions. A Mr. Buck, living on Cedar Pointe in Rock Creek, spoke
regarding traffic flow being channeled into one outlet, he wanted to bring to attention of
Commission this problem. Mr. Green said this has been under consideration for some
time and there are two other outlets from Rock Creek that could be opened up when
deemed necessary. Hal Brown of Rock Creek property owners association spoke
saying that he feels decisions being made too quickly. He said that safety issues are
paramount and begged that we open both accesses, presenting more choices for
residents, he said if there are resulting problems that the board will take the heat. Mr.
Green said that the Commission has forwarded recommendation to the City Council to
open these accesses. But, the City has to indicate to the developers that they want
these opened. He thanked Mr. Brown for his input. Trae Corte spoke saying their one
concern is the way utilities are being provided to this property. He does not believe
the city has the right to extend utilities underground to this property. Bill Jones asked
him if he did not say that he would grant a utilities easement on that property when the
hearing from Rock Creek came up at a hearing about a year ago, with Mr. Tanner also
agreeing. Trae said yes, with conditions. Bill Jones said there were no conditions, he
heard it, the paper reported it and it is in the minutes. Trae said that was incorrect,
that what they said was that if it would help the city loop the water lines through Rock
Creek to increase the pressure, that they would consider it, but, in Phase 5 they
looped the water line. He also said, there has been talk that the city plans to extend
utilities thru 30 ft. easement. Trae said he doesn't believe City can do this. That the
only way to approve the plat is have adequate sewer and water to serve these lots and
they do not. The waterline they propose is outside the 30' easement they have. Mr.
Green responded, the city owns the utilities and they can do what they please. Trae
said they would have to cross private property and do not have easement to do so.
That they/city have no right to cross private property. Trae challenged us to ask them
to present a survey, challenged us to show easement. That the city cannot extend
utilities across private land, the city is being misled. If this happens he warned the city
will be sued. Dick Charles moved to table pending getting legal opinion from attorney.
Christopher said we have the legal opinion from the city attorney that the commission
could consider this as long as developer warned to proceed at own risk. Mr. Charles
motion was not seconded. Bill Jones moved to proceed under plan as presented with
Christopher's recommendation and advice being given to developer to proceed at their
own risk. Bob Gentle 2"d. Motion carried with Dick Charles and Pauline Anders voting
against motion.
SD00-32 Final plat approval Idlewild 5 (generally located south of Fairhope Avenue
and west of Thompson Hall Road) Christopher commented this is a 9.78 acre tract of
land being divided into 20 lots. That there is a damaged tree on the property that
needs to be removed by the developer. Staff recommended approval with
understanding that no permits will be issued until council accepts the public ry C
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improvements and tree being removed. Discussion followed on the tree with the
developer saying they are going to try and save the tree. Dick Charles moved to
approve final plat without contingency of tree. Discussion followed again on the tree,
whether or not a bond should be required for its removal if it dies. Tim moved to put an
addendum on the motion, before two year period on bond of streets expires and city
accepts streets for maintenance, if tree is dead at that time it will be removed by
developer. Bill Jones 2"d and motion carried unanimously.
SD00-33 Minor Plat Waggoner Acres, Phase 2(generally located east of Greeno Rd
and north of Waggoner Rd) Christopher in his comments said this is a 2.6 acre tract of
land located outside the city. He said a septic sewage system will be used. He
questioned the engineer's certification and asked that it be revised. Discussion
followed with the engineer and what requested and a motion was made by Bob Gentle
to approve subject to providing the proper engineering certification(to meet city
requirements) Pauline Anders 2"d motion and it carried unanimously.
SR00-03 Site Plan Review -Waffle House(generally located east of Greeno and north
of Spring Run. Christopher in his comments stated the issues being: lighting - they
need to revise their plans to show shoebox fixtures that direct light down. Signs - signs
should meet sign ordinance. Parking - they are providing 33 parking spaces.
Screening - mechanical equipment will be screened and landscaping and drainage
requirements have been provided. Staff recommendation was approval subject to
revision of lighting, and meeting the sign and landscaping ordinance requirements.
Dick Charles moved to accept subject to Christopher's recommendations, Bob Gentle
2"d and motion carried unanimously.
SR00-04 Site Plan Review - Walgreens(generally located at the corner of Fairhope
Avenue and Greeno Road) Christopher had commented that the property is zoned B2-
General Business contains approximately 1.5 acres and the building is proposed
15,000 sq ft. The issues of streets, curb cuts, signage, landscape, lights and screening
have been reviewed. He recommended signs and lighting be revised to meet
requirements and approval be given. Hop Allen spoke saying he is against what
proposed as far as exit on Fairhope Avenue. That there is a bottleneck there.
Discussion followed on this but it was offered that much thought given before approval
given to plan as is. Dick Charles moved to approve subject to Christopher's
recommendations. Pauline Anders 2"d and motion carried unanimously.
SR00-05 Site Plan Review - Multi -occupancy building 59 S. Church Street. Buddy
Richmond was present representing Ms. Linda Walker. Christopher had said that in
reviewing the issues - parking will be located behind the building, no significant exterior
lighting is proposed, all signs will conform to the sign ordinance, landscaping will
conform and all building codes will be met. Mr. Richmond offered that there will be
commercial downstairs and two apartments upstairs. Pauline Anders moved to
approve, Bob Gentle 2"d and motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business, meeting was duly adjourned.