HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-28-Planning and Zoning Commission MinutesMINUTES OF THE TUESDAY APRIL 28,2009 PLANNlNG AND ZONING COMMISSION
MEETING.
Chairman Mook called the April 28,2009 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission to order at
6:00 p.rn.
Roll Call.Chairman Mook asked for a roll call and the following Commissioners were present:
Hassebroek,Schmidt,Hoifeldt,Dutcher,Steele,and Mook.Absent:Airhart.Others in atteudance:Ben
Landhauser,Dennis Dowell.
Agenda Approval.Motion by Commissioner Hoifeldt,seconded by Commissioner Steele,to approve
the agenda for April 28,2009."Ayes:Dutcher,Hassebroek,Hoife1dt,Dutcher,Steele,and Schmidt.
Nays:None.Motion carried.
Approval of April 14,2009 Regular Meeting Minutes.Motion by Commissioner Hoifeldt,seconded
by Commissioner Schmidt to "Adopt the April 14,2009 Regular Meeting Minutes as written."Ayes:
Hoifeldt,Steele,Dutcher,Hassebroek,Schmidt and Mook.Nays:None.Motion carried.
Open Forum.No one appeared to address the Commission during the Open Forum.
Approve the Fiual Plat for Fox Creek Estates Plat 1.City Planner,Ben Landhauser reviewed the final
plat with the Commission.The final plat for Fox Creek Estates Plat 1 is the first phase of a larger Fox
Creek Estates Development that was rezoned in August 2006.The final plat includes 32 townhomes lots
located along the south edge of the development on approximately 5.9 acres.The developer of the
property has opted to develop the lots to R-2 standards which allows for biattached units only.A
Declaration of Covenants has been prepared that addresses architectural standards and provides language
related to maintenance of the individual lots within the development.The lots are intended to be sold to
individual builders to allow for a variety of differentiation throughout the plat.As a part of the platting
process NE Fox Run Trail,a 60 foot right-of-way will be dedicated to the City.Six foot sidewalks will
be installed along Warrior Lane as the individual lots are developed.A landscape buffer has been
provided on the southern boundary of the plat to assist in the transition from the single family homes in
the Gracewood development into the two family bnildings proposed in this development.As a part of the
project,the developer is responsible for providing 0.267 acres of parkland.The developer has identified
approximately 5 acres of parkland that will be dedicated to the City as a part of the overall Fox Creek
Estates Development.
The Commission requested clarification from the applicant on the types of plantings that would be
proposed within the landscape buffer on the southern boundary of the plat.Mark Lee of Lee Engineers
and Surveyors explained that the buffer would include a variety of tree types in addition to shrubbery and
a rain garden.Mr.Lee also indicated that some trees would be installed along Warrior lane.
Commissioner Hoifeldt requested clarification on a few items within the proposed covenants of the plat
including the requirement of all future owners to keep their exterior lights illuminated during the day.
Commissioner Hoifeldt suggested that this requirement may be unnecessary and asked the applicant if it
could be removed from the covenants.Mr.Lee indicated that the applicant would be open to removing
the language from the covenants.Commissioner Schmidt asked for clarification as to why the applicant
was not required to submit a site plan and voiced concern as to whether the applicant or potential builders
would be required to add brick or stone to the homes consistent with the Site Plan Ordinance.Ben
Landhauser explained that the applicant had built the lots to an R-2 standard which restricted the
townhome type that could be built on the plat to biattached units similar to what was doue on some of the
lots within Grant Park Plat 2 and the covenants allowed the developer to review all building plans from
tbe individual builders for architectural consistency throughout the plat.
Motion by Commissioner Schmidt,seconded by Commissioner Steele to Approve the Final Plat for Fox
Creek Estates Plat subject to all remaiuing staff comments and to remove the language from the covenants
related to the requirement of the horne owners to have their exterior lights on throughout the day.Ayes:
Schmidt,Dutcher,Hoifeldt,Steele,Hassebroek,Sclnnidt,and Mook.Nays:None.Motion carried.
Residential Bulk Regulatious -Minimum 1"Floor Square footage Requirements.City Planner,Ben
Landhauser,explained to the Commission that a developer had approached city staff requesting that the
City take a look at reducing the minimum square footage requirement for the first floor in a two-story
single family home.The City of Clive is the only other community that has a minimum first floor
requirement for two-story single family homes,while Urbandale and Altoona have overall minimum
square footage requirements.All of the other communities in the Des Moines area do not have minimum
square footage requirements and allow the developers to determine the minimum requirements as a part
of the covenants of each subdivision.Stephen Grubb,owner of Ventnre Homes,addressed the
Commission and explained that he would like to build two-story homes in the Hemingway Development
with a first floor square footage of 600 square feet.Mr.Grubb presented fliers of homes ranging from
approximately 1,800 square feet to just over 1,300 square feet to the Commission in order to show how
the different house sizes related to one another.He further described how the state of economy has made
the housing market for homes over $200,000 almost non existent and the market for homes around
$160,000 to $180,000 was doing well.The Commissiou expressed their understauding of the economic
situation and discussed the potential implications there could be if the minimum were reduced.The
Connnission also expressed their desire to keep the overall square footage of the two-story homes higher
at a reasonable level and the possibility of decreasing the first floor minimum,but increasing the overall
square footage requirement for two-story homes.The Commission requested staff to work on modifying
the existing ordinances for R-I and R-2 zoning districts to decrease the first floor requirement to a
reasonable level and increase the overall square footage requirement to keep the homes a proportional
size to wbat is currently built by the existing standards.
I)
Wind Energy Ordinance.City Planner,Ben Landhauser described to the Commission that there is
interest from residents in the community and the Waukee Community School District to utilize a wind
energy system to offset electricity costs and usage.The Green Initiatives Committee had previously
discussed the opportunity of creating or amending and ordinance to allow the Waukee School District to
place a wind tnrbine on the Warrior Stadium property,a project being pursued by the High School Earth
Club.City staff is requesting the Commission's input on whether to proceed with creating an ordinance
to allow the school district to place the generator on the stadium property in order to gauge community
support for the types of units before looking at allowing residents to place a wind energy system on their
properties.The Commission expressed their desire to proceed ahead with creating an ordinauce for the
school district.Commissioner Mook questioned whether or not it would be beneficial to look at
modifying an ordinance that would permit the City to install a wind energy system on City property as a
part of the Green Initiatives being sought by the City.Mr.Landhauser indicated that staff would look
into how the ordinances could be modified to allow the City to install a wind energy system and discuss
the possibilities when the ordinance related to the school properties is brought before the Commission.
New Business.City Planner,Ben Landhauser updated the Commission on an upcoming project.
Adjournment.Motion by Commissioner Hoifeldt,second by Commissioner Schmidt,to adjourn at 7:26
P.M.Ayes:Schmidt,Hoifeldt,Steele,Hassebroek,Dutcher,Schmidt,and Mook.Nays:None.Motion
carried.Meeting adjoumed.
Joe-sqtunidt,Planning and Zo~Chairman
Brian Mook,Planning &Zoning Chairman