PLAN COMMISSION

January 11, 2007

                                                                                                           

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

 

Others present:  Scot O’Malley, Marc Putman, Roger Tomten, Gordon Conard, John Erickson, Jim Zeller and Denny Darnold

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Breault at 7:01 p.m.

 

Motion by Mailloux, seconded by Yoerg to approve the January 4, 2007 meeting minutes.  Motion carried.

 

Certified survey map (CSM), two commercial lots, south of Crest View Drive and west of Gateway Boulevard (County Market / retail and The Home Depot) – Learsi of Hudson, LLC.  Darnold noted that this is a proposed two-lot commercial subdivision to subdivide the parcel that contains both the County Market / retail facilities and The Home Depot facility.  The staff has reviewed the proposed CSM and concurs with the proposed utility easements.  Darnold noted that he reviewed both The Home Depot and the County Market / retail areas to be sure that required off-street parking will be met on the proposed individual parcels.  Learsi of Hudson, LLC also has provided access easements, new private utility easements; and Jerry’s Foods (County Market) and The Home Depot propose a shared parking agreement which will assist in the provision of adequate parking in the future.

 

Darnold recommended approval of the proposed certified survey map.

 

Motion by Gilbert, seconded by Caruso to approve and recommend approval of the proposed two lot certified survey map, generally located south of Crest View Drive and west of Gateway Boulevard, as proposed by Learsi of Hudson, LLC.  Motion carried.

 

Review of guidelines, standards and policies and architectural review of projects in the downtown business area – community development director and Putman Planning and Design.  Darnold advised the plan commission and audience that the downtown workshop / meeting for Thursday, January 18th, is at the St. Croix Marina community room, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  The public is encouraged to attend.

 

Marc Putman reviewed a commercial development at 50th and France, Edina / Minneapolis, Minnesota as to applicability to downtown Hudson.  Elements that Putman focused on regarding the 50th and France development included its identity campaign, parking structures, truck delivery areas and paving improvements.

 

 

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January 11, 2007

 

                                                                                                           

Putman reiterated the elements (presented in an updated chart) of balance within design and reviewed a list of considerations including roadway improvements, on- and off-street parking, HVAC equipment, building roofs, building height, building materials, trees, land use regulations, city incentives for private development and city funding.

 

Off-street parking quantities typically are required based on International Transportation Engineers (ITE) recommendations.  Putman suggested that the required off-street parking be based on shared parking peak hour estimates, with incentives in place to obtain developer cooperation in providing additional stalls when possible.

 

Putman reviewed a suggested method of calculating allowable height of buildings which include:

            - height measured in stories

            - do not count basements as part of the height requirement

            - height measured at sidewalk grade

            - eves not measured as part of height of building

            - towers and cupolas not subject to height restrictions

           

Mailloux asked about the use of public incentives to provide for quality design.  Mailloux suggested that the Common Council and Plan Commission need to discuss this consideration before any guidelines are put into place.  Is tax increment financing (TIF) available?  Darnold noted that the planning efforts will contain discussions and that he has recommended that the city conduct a workshop on use of tax increment financing or other incentive programs, but that TIF may not be the only way to pay for necessary improvements, such as parking.

 

Putman asked if the plan commission may have any suggestions to further review.

 

Yoerg noted that there must be a balance of desirable / quality design and retaining the value of quality environment of the river and that height is still an issue that must be addressed.

 

Bieraugel suggested that the city continue to analyze the issue of view scapes.

 

Gilbert suggested that the city should review the issue of one-way streets on First and Second Streets and whether this is an alternative that WisDOT may have some input.

 

 

 

 

 

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January 11, 2007

           

                                                                                                           

John Erickson noted that he has a long term lease on part of the River City Center property and encouraged the city to be sure how the recommendations reflect conformance with or address the WisDNR riverway regulations.

 

Roger Tomten reviewed areas west of Second Street that may be used to develop structure parking.

 

Other ideas that were discussed included a riverway walk including the toll road and islands and former depot area (North Hudson); depot in downtown relocated to Lakefront Park; and the reuse of the Buckeye garage facility.

 

Putman noted that at the workshop / meeting on Thursday, January 18th they plan to have on display many of the draft guidelines and boards of the downtown area that can be marked during discussions with people in attendance soliciting ideas that the public may have regarding how downtown Hudson may be developed.

 

No action was taken on this matter.

 

Moved by Caruso, seconded by Mailloux to adjourn.  Motion carried.  8:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis Darnold, Secretary