PLAN COMMISSION

May 3, 2007

                                                                                                           

Members present:  Breault, Burchill, Yoerg, Gilbert, Caruso and Bieraugel

 

Others present:  Jay Andrews, David Magnuson, Ryan Cari, Pat Houlihan, Paul Gerrard, Dave Feist, Bob Pearson, Jenebelle Zappa, Mike Hafler, Dave Holt, Denny Darnold and others

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Breault.

 

Motion by Burchill, seconded by Yoerg to approve the 4/26/07 plan commission meeting minutes.  Motion carried.

 

Certificate of compliance, auto service center, 805 Dominion Drive – Jay Andrews / Tire Proz.  David Magnuson, representing TireProz noted that initially the owners submitted an application for development plan approval in May 2006.  He expressed concern that the owner (TireProz / Jay Andrews) is desperate to move ahead with their project.  Magnuson noted that the neighborhood is commercial development and is not a residential community.  Magnuson commented in regard to the addition proposed in that the building will not extend further into the required side yard setback than the existing building.  No cars will be for sale, and the site will not be used for a gasoline station or body or engine repair shop, Magnuson expressed.

 

Ryan Cari, representing Motels of Hudson noted that the motel does not propose to move forward with trying to purchase the property for a bar / restaurant.  He expressed that the issue has become emotional for the present owners.

 

Patrick Houlihan, representing Motels of Hudson noted that in consideration of the certificate of compliance the city does not have to approve the proposed use and that the city reserves the discretion to approve or deny.  He expressed concern about the potential long term impact on the neighborhood and that approving the auto service center will have a negative impact on surrounding properties.  Houlihan noted that the neighborhood has changed as offices and the senior housing project have been developed along Dominion Drive and Hosford Street.  Houlihan noted that the auto service center would provide a significant amount of traffic.

 

Cari provided a copy of a petition signed by nearby businesses, property owners and residents.  

 

Dave Feist, Comfort Inn (adjacent property to the south) stated that he does not express his views in a vindictive nature, but only wants what is best for the neighborhood.  He noted that the automotive service center is not compatible.  Feist noted that he is opposed to the proposed use due to its incompatibility with the existing uses,  potential view of service facility service bay doors, sounds of auto service, engines revving and that the hotel clients need quiet during the day time hours also.  Feist expressed concern that the

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May 3, 2007

 

                                                                                                             

Super 8 and Comfort Inn motel facilities do not have as good of accessibility since the Exit 2 off-ramp closed and that it is more difficult to achieve their market share.  He noted that more of their business is with contractual stays for people that work at night and need a place to sleep during the day time hours.  He asked that the city give as much consideration to this area as it is giving to downtown Hudson.

 

Paul Gerrard, Gerrard Development stated he is representing the Boulder Point senior housing residents and that he is concerned that the city modified the city ordinances to permit the residential use and that he feels the use of the parcel should be high end commercial.

 

Bob Pierce, Boulder Point resident expressed concern that an auto service center is not compatible. 

 

Jenebelle Zappa stated she wants what is best for Hudson and that an auto service center is not a compatible use.  She noted that she desires to continue living in the Boulder Point housing development.

 

Mike Hafler, project architect for TireProz stated that although a traffic study has not been conducted he felt that the amount of traffic created by the proposed auto service center would not be as great as most uses permitted in the commercial zoning district such as a bar / restaurant.  He commented that the compatibility of use is considered by the zoning code.  He further noted that he has designed hotels for Hilton and that his experience is that motels exist or are developed near many types of uses including industrial parks.

 

Bieraugel stated that he has reviewed the opinion of city attorney Catherine Munkittrick and agrees with her legal opinion.  Bieraugel asked Darnold if he would review his opinion / recommendation.  Darnold reviewed his recommendation to approve the certificate of compliance for an auto service center with the following conditions:

 

-         The south facing bay doors remain closed during operating hours except when opened to provide access for deliveries and ingress or egress for vehicles to the service bays.

-         No on-street parking will be allowed on Dominion Drive or within the right-of-way of the former Exit 2 Drive on the north side of the lot.

-         Hours of operation are limited to ____________ a.m. to  _________ p.m. (The TireProz store in Stillwater is open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday).

-         Annual review one year after the issuance of an occupancy permit is issued.

-         Notify the city relative to the use of the future tenant, so the city may determine if the use is permitted or requires a review process.

 

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Bieraugel noted that people are often fearful of what may happen and in many instances those fears are not realized.  He noted that the noise can be addressed by having the south doors remain closed except for periodic accessibility; that compatibility is enhanced with the proposed landscape plans and hours of operation proposed; that the setback is not being increased further than current conditions; a conditional use permit is not necessary; reasonable conditions have been suggested.

 

Moved by Gilbert, seconded by Yoerg to recommend to the Common Council that a certificate of compliance for an auto service center, 805 Dominion Drive as applied for by Jay Andrews / TireProz with the following conditions:

 

-         No on-street parking will be allowed on Dominion Drive or within the right-of-way of the former Exit 2 Drive on the north side of the lot.

-         Hours of operation are limited to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

-         Annual review one year after the issuance of an occupancy permit.

-         Notification to the city relative to the use of the future tenant, so the city may determine if the use is permitted or requires a review process.

Motion carried.  5-0, Bieraugel abstained.

 

Other business for discussion purposes only or placement on a future agenda.

Darnold noted that there is only one review scheduled and if it would be okay to schedule a morning meeting for Thursday, May 10th, 7:30 a.m.  The commission agreed to meet the morning of Thursday, May 10th.  It was also discussed whether a joint meeting of the plan commission / Common Council may be scheduled for Monday, May 15th.  Yoerg stated that the city should consider conducting a traffic analysis in conjunction with review of any redevelopment proposal for River City Center.  Bieraugel encouraged the city staff to review with the WisDNR an average building height consideration.

 

Motion by Yoerg, seconded by Caruso to adjourn.  Motion carried.  8:07 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis Darnold, Secretary