PLAN COMMISSION

December 8, 2005

                                                                                               

Members present:  Breault, Koch, Yoerg, Mailloux, Gilbert, Caruso and Bieraugel

 

Others present:  Gordon Conard, Greg Mahmood, Dan O’Brien, Randy Morrissette,

Tom Springer, Dennis Kroll, Dennis Darnold and others

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Breault at 7:00 p.m.

 

Moved by Yoerg, seconded by Caruso to approve the meeting minutes of 11/10/05.

Motion carried.

 

Certified survey map (CSM), one lot, St. Patrick rectory parcel, 321 St. Croix StreetSt. Patrick Church.  Darnold presented the certified survey map proposed in anticipation that the church will sell the rectory.  Darnold noted that the westerly of the two garages north of the rectory will be retained, the other will be razed and that sanitary sewer and water served the site.  Darnold  recommended approval of the proposed CSM.

 

Moved by Bieraugel, seconded by Koch to approve the certified survey map (CSM) as proposed by St. Patrick Church for the rectory and parcel at 321 St. Croix Street.  Motion carried.

 

Final development plans, 15,000 sq. ft. industrial facility, east of Willis Miller Drive, St. Croix Business Park – Greater American Ribs.  Darnold reviewed the general location being immediately east of Hulcher Services and north of Tower Rd. in the St. Croix Business Park.  Dan O’Brien, project engineer, reviewed the proposed site plan, landscape plans and building materials including presentation of a board showing building colors and materials and pictures of the proposed plants and landscape materials.

 

O’Brien noted that the developer is okay with making the plan amendments per the city engineer’s comments.  Bieraugel noted the engineer’s comments regarding curbing, but disagreed that it should be required throughout the project. 

 

Yoerg asked if the number of off-street parking spaces proposed is sufficient as it has been noted that with the new facility the employment may be increased to 80 employees.

Greg Mahmood explained that if the employment reaches 80 that there will be more than one shift with the total of both shifts not exceeding 80 employees.  Darnold also explained that the plan does accommodate for the expansion of the parking areas if necessary in the future.

 

 

 

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O’Brien noted that the corporate colors are red, white and blue.  The building will have a blue band around the facility and windows or dock facilities accented with red.  O’Brien also noted that the trash enclosures will be concrete on three sides with brown gates and that Greater American Ribs does a considerable amount of recycling.  Mahmood also noted that the plans have been amended per the initial review to include an additional room and waste recycling facility which will capture the grease so that it may be recycled and not discharged to the wastewater treatment plant.

 

Moved by Yoerg, seconded by Bieraugel to recommend approval of the final development plans for the proposed Greater American Ribs facility to be located east of Willis Miller Drive and north of Tower Rd. with plans to be changed per the city engineer’s review except for the requirement of curb throughout the project.  Motion carried.

 

Concept development plans, STS office facility, 717 Second Street – Tom Springer / STS Properties.  Darnold reported that the plans have been amended to address concerns previously expressed by the plan commission including storm drainage, use of pervious surfaces, widening of the driveway and provision for emergency access.  Dennis Kroll, project engineer noted that the developer, Tom Springer is working with Nor-Lake to obtain easements for storm drainage and access.  Breault asked if the proposed easements have been finalized; Kroll stated no.  Kroll reviewed the building and site plans noting that the total building floor area is approximately 5,000 sq. ft. and the average height above ground is 34.5 feet.  Kroll explained that the building has been set near the front property line to blend with the existing downtown neighborhood and the Nor-Lake building.  Kroll also noted that the access from Second Street is limited by WisDOT to right-in / right-out turn movements.

 

Bieraugel asked about the width of the driveway, as he was okay with the 16 foot width.  Darnold responded that an alternative access to the site is being proposed through the Nor-Lake property.  Generally for fire suppression the equipment will be on Second Street, Darnold commented.  Kroll noted that the street serves as the fire access lane and is within 150 feet to all areas of the building.

 

Yoerg questioned the comment raised by the city engineer about the disability stall.  Darnold noted that only one stall, dimensioned for van access, would be required; and the plans can be reconfigured to bring the stall into compliance.

 

Mailloux asked if any on-street parking spaces on Second Street would need to be removed due to the new access.  Darnold stated that likely two spaces will be removed.

 

 

 

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Caruso commented that he can now support the plan in that the storm drainage, paving and the driveway has been increased in width.

 

Gilbert asked about the materials that may be used on the driveway to improve traction during the winter months.  Kroll stated that he is exploring that issue with the owner and will be able to present the driveway pavement information at the final development plan review.

 

Moved by Koch, seconded by Caruso to approve the concept development plans for the STS office building, 717 Second St. as proposed by STS Properties / Tom Springer with the following conditions:

-         Easements for access and storm water utility be committed to by Nor-Lake

-         Materials for driveway pavement be provided

-         Site plan including Nor-Lake and Kroll parcels be shown to illustrate storm water drainage / easement and access

-         Final development plans to incorporate city engineer’s and fire department comments / recommendations.

Motion carried.

 

Review of state statutes amendment regarding required quorum / vote to approve variances by the Board of Appeals – Community Development Director.  Darnold explained that the Wisconsin statutes regarding boards of appeals was changed this summer (2005) to allow the quasi-judicial bodies to approve variances within a meeting where a quorum is established and a simple majority vote.  Darnold noted that meant that variances, if the city would choose to amend the current provisions for required votes to approve a variance, could be approved by a vote of two members of the board of appeals.

Darnold noted that he is not advocating a change in the current voting requirements, four votes to approve a variance, but felt that the city plan commission should know about the change in the state statute if they wanted to change the required voting requirements.

 

Bieraugel, who serves as an alternate to the board of appeals, noted that he felt the requirement of four votes to approve a variance should be retained.  Moved by Yoerg, seconded by Mailloux to retain the current board of appeals voting requirement of four votes to approve a variance.  Motion carried.

 

Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway local regulations – Community Development Director.  Darnold noted that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WisDNR) has recently checked as to the city’s adoption of a local ordinance for the amended NR118, Lower St. Croix River National Scenic Riverway standards.  Darnold stated that he has sent a draft to WisDNR with three issues that remain

 

 

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unresolved with WisDNR including bed and breakfast establishment and home occupation standards and standards regarding permitted and conditional permitted uses that are not specifically listed in NR118.  Darnold stated the differences with the bed and breakfast and home occupation standards are that the proposed language aligns with the local zoning code and not the state administrative rules and that he feels these two issues are local issues.  WisDNR would still be provided an opportunity to comment when a conditional use permit is required.  Darnold pointed out that the last issue is that the draft local ordinance simply references the city zoning code for the non-listed permitted and conditional permitted uses for sake of simplicity.  Bieraugel commented that he agrees with Darnold’s comments and suggested that the draft ordinance be recommended for approval as proposed.

 

Darnold stated that he would like to take the draft as proposed to be reviewed  with comments received in a public hearing to the Common Council.  If the Common Council wants the plan commission to review comments and make changes, after the public hearing, it can send the ordinance back for further review.

 

Moved by Bieraugel, seconded by Gilbert to forward the draft of the city of Hudson – Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway standards to the Common Council for public hearing and consideration.  Motion carried.

 

Hudson comprehensive plan survey, proposal of services by the Survey Research Center – UW River Falls.  Darnold noted that the Survey Research Center – UW River Falls has submitted a proposal to conduct a survey of city of Hudson residents and businesses for the comprehensive plan update.  Darnold noted that this is the same group that conducted the survey of businesses and visitors as to parking issues in the downtown area.  Darnold noted the parking issue survey will not be duplicated.  Darnold noted that the maximum to conduct the survey is $7,000 including survey of the residents and three different business surveys (1 – downtown, 1 – The Hill commercial businesses and the industrial businesses).

 

Yoerg commented that he felt the plan commission should have input into the survey.  Darnold stated that he had copies of about six municipal surveys that the plan commission could review.  Breault noted that he wants the plan commission to meet with the Survey Research Center staff prior to surveys being sent out.

 

Moved by Caruso, seconded by Yoerg to approve the proposal by the Survey Research Center - UW River Falls to conduct the comprehensive plan survey for a cost not to exceed $7,000.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

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Other business for discussion purposes only or placement on future agendas.  Bieraugel noted that he would like to discuss the following issues with the plan commission in future agendas; pervious surfaces of parking lots and driveways and density restriction and the provision of sewer service of residential subdivisions in the extraterritorial area.

 

Moved by Mailloux, seconded by Yoerg to adjourn.  Motion carried.  7:55 p.m.

 

Dennis D. Darnold, Secretary