HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-27-Planning and Zoning Commission MinutesMINUTES OF THE TUESDAY OCTOBER 27,2009 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MEETING.
Chairman Mook called the October 27,2009 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:
Hoifeldt,Dutcher,Steele,and Mook.Absent:Schmidt,Airhart,Others in atteudance:Brad Deets,
Councilmember Mike Watts,John Kursitis,and Ben Landhauser.
Agenda Approval.Motion by Commissioner Hoifeldt,seconded by Commissioner Steele,to approve
the agenda for October 27,2009."Ayes:Hoifeldt,Steele,Dutcher,and Mook.Nays:None.Motion
carried,
Approval of the October 13,2009 Regular Meeting Miuutes.Motion by Commissioner Hoifeldt,
seconded by Commissioner Steele to adopt the October 13,2009 Regular Meeting Minutes."Ayes:
Hoifeldt,Steele,Dutcher,and Mook.Nays:None.Motion carried,
Open Forum.No one appeared to address the Commission during the Open Forum.
Discussion:Updates to Residential,Commercial,and Industrial Zoning Ordinances.Director of
Development Services,Brad Deets,briefly described a draft version of a residential ordinance
amendment and the changes proposed from the current ordinances.The Commission discussed the need
for a rental multi-family zoning district designation,separating the type of ownership trait from an owner-
occupied district designation.Councilmember Watts indicated that the separate designation had been
done previously due to a project where the developer would not identify how a project was intended to be
sold.Mr.Deets refereuced the Sunrise Meadows Apartments as a project that had gone through a recent
rezoning to change from a rental designation to owner-occupied and noted that the majority of the units in
the buildings were still rental tenants.Chairman Mook expressed hesitation in having two separate
zoning districts for multi-family dwellings due to concern with limiting profit opportunities for a
developer.Commissiouer Dutcher indicated that there were examples from downtown Des Moines where
a developer had started a project targeting property owners and switched to renting units due to a change
in market demands.Councilmember Watts questioned what impacts an inclusive ordinance might have
on surrounding neighborhoods.Mr.Deets requested discussion from the Commission about the existing
provision in the R-4 Row Dwelling and Townhome Dwelling District allowing a developer to build the
subdivision to an R-2 One and Two-Family Residential District standard,which relieves the developer
from going through the site plan process.The Commission discussed the allowable uses in each district.
Commissioner Hoifeldt stated that it would seem appropriate to remove childcare as an allowable use in a
residential district.Commissioner Steele questioned if allowing funeral homes in a residential district
would be appropriate.Chairman Mook questioned if there would be provisions allowing for mixed-use.
Mr.Deets explained that mixed-use development might be most appropriate in a planned development
district or within the downtown zoning district.He asked the Commission to provide direction on
whether they felt the hierarchical scheme currently used in the zoning districts was preferred in the future,
Chairman Mook noted that in his personal discussions with the development community a clear and
straight forward approach was most helpful.Commissioner Dutcher indicated that developers would
prefer to take the path of least resistance and recommended that the City look at creating a silo scheme for
zoning in lieu of the pyramid scheme currently utilized.Commissioner Hoifeldt questioned if any bulk
regulations would be updated as a part of the codification process and provided an example of satellite
dish antennas as a current requirement that could be revised.Mr.Deets that some revisions would be
made and general standards for unique uses would be identified for such amenities as neighborhood club
houses.
Mr.Deets briefly described changes proposed in a draft commercial ordinance.He pointed out that as a
part of the codification process,some definitions and uses would need to be elaborated on such as
convenience stores and gas stations.Commissioner Steele explained that he believed the current
definition for a gas station would be better related to a service station.Councilmember Watts explained
that the difference between a convenience store and a gas station related back to when some chain stores
were opening convenience stores without a gas sales portion,but noted that it was not common practice.
Chairman Mook indicated that it might be beneficial to have specific requirements for certain uses
upfront in the ordinance.Councilmember Watts stated that limiting elements for certain uses like the
number of islands at a gas station would be a good example of making a use more compatible with the
surrounding neighborhood.Mr.Deets explained that he intended to put more emphasis into the types of
buffers required of certain businesses and land use transition areas.Commissioner Hoifeldt questioned if
restaurants and hotels would be appropriate uses to include in the office park commercial district,noting a
similar type of application in Cincinnati,Ohio.Chairman Mook stated that he felt it would be important
to look closely into some of the hi-tech business characteristics which may need to be accommodated or
regulated similar to the Team Technologies Data Center.Mr.Deets explained that covenants and
rezoning sketch plans were currently used to identify unique circumstances and treatments,but noted that
the definition section of the ordinance would be revised to be more specific.Mr.Deets requested the
Commission's feeling on having a large scale commercial district and pointed to some potential setbacks
and hurdles that could arise from having snch a district.Chairman Mook questioned if the district was
necessary or if the building size could be regulated through another district.
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Mr.Deets briefly described the draft industrial ordinance and indicated that it would be beneficial to look
into the types of uses permitted in the existing districts to better differentiate them from one auother.
Chairman Mook questioned if there would be a notification process included with the final adoptiou of
the revised ordiuances.
New Business.None.
Adjournment.Motion by Commissioner Steele,second by Commissioner Dntcher,to adjourn the
meeting at 7:16 P.M.Ayes:Steele,Hoifeldt,Dutcher,and Mook.Nays:None.Motion carried,
Meeting adjourned.
Brian Mook,Planning &Zoning Chairman
Attest:
Brad Deets,D~elopment Services Director