PLAN COMMISSION

March 10, 2005

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

Others present: Mike Murphy, Kevin Benshoof, Denny Honfa, Robert Brown, Dennis Christophersen, John Kromer, Linda Casanova, Ruth Musinsko, Elliot Anderson, Mike Ganz, Dennis Darnold and others.

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

Moved by Gilbert, seconded by Koch to approve the meeting minutes of 2/24/05. Motion carried.

Request by Verizon Wireless to replace an existing eight (8) foot high antenna with two, four (4) foot high panel antennae in each of three sections, Hanley Road water tower. Darnold explained that this request was similar to a request made recently to replace an existing antenna with two smaller antennae in each of three sections of the existing panels on the Hanley Road water tower. The new antennae will be four (4) feet high and replace one, 8 foot high antenna. The general appearance will not change.

Moved by Gilbert, seconded by Yoerg to recommend approval of the request by Verizon Wireless to replace an existing eight (8) foot high antenna with two, four (4) foot antennae in each of the three sections on the Hanley Road water tower. Motion carried.

Darnold noted that the water utility commission approved the request on Tuesday evening, March 8 and that the city attorney had reviewed and approved the amended contract.

Petition for annexation of eight (8) acres north of Vine Street and west of Grandview Drive – First Presbyterian Church. Darnold explained that the plan commission had raised three issues at the last discussion regarding the petition for annexation; tree removal, notification to the neighboring property owners and determining if there was need for turn lanes on Vine Street. Darnold also noted that the city finance committee is working with the church to review existing assessments. Darnold stated that the city engineer’s comments regarding the turn lane had been forwarded to the church representatives and consulting architects and engineers. Darnold referred to a memorandum sent to the adjacent properties regarding the proposed church development. He noted that he received one call regarding the proposed driveway location and potential loss of trees near the back lot lines of the Grandview residences.

Darnold recommended approval of the petition of annexation noting the annexation agreement will contain language addressing the issue of assessments and fee obligations and will identify the estimated costs of the Vine Street turn lane improvements.

Moved by Caruso, seconded by Yoerg to recommend approval of the petition for annexation as submitted by the First Presbyterian Church contingent on an annexation

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agreement being executed by the church. Motion carried. Koch stated that this will be a low impact development and supports the annexation and requests for the church to continue to work with the city and neighbors to remove as few trees as possible.

Request by Kevin Benshoof, 2528 Burl Oak Curve to review / discuss grading and elevation requirements one- and two-family residential construction. Benshoof noted that he has had three instances when water has entered his basement since he has purchased his home and he explained that if the city would require the residences to be surveyed to certify top of block and top of grade elevations that this issue would not occur. Benshoof provided the commission members with photos of his residential lot. Benshoof introduced Denny Honfa to discuss the general process used by the city of Hastings and time commitment of the city staff to implement this type of program. Honfa explained that Hastings’ building permit staff has only a minimum time involved in the survey process making notifications to the surveyor of the location and the review and filing of the actual survey. The cost of both surveys would be approximately $325. Benshoof felt this was a minimal expense compared to the overall cost of a home of approximately $300,000. Honfa discussed a concern in the Hudson Meadows development based on the initial grading plan submitted to the city.

The plan commission asked the staff to continue review of this issue and to bring back a recommendation.

Pudge’s Bar request for waiver of required off-street parking – Mike Murphy.

Darnold commented that he reviewed potential parking demand in the downtown area based on the amount of area in second floors of existing buildings in the downtown area. Darnold stated that his concern was alleviated because the buildings with this possibility are located primarily north of Walnut Street where most of the available off-street public parking is located. Darnold commented on the required number of off-street parking stalls required for office, retail and restaurant / bar businesses, with the restaurant / bar businesses requiring as much as three to four times as much off-street parking. Darnold reminded the plan commission that neighborhood businesses have expressed concern about the debris left around the neighborhood and parking on their private properties.

Mike Murphy noted that although the restaurant / bar businesses may require more parking the retail and offices uses create parking demand during the day time hours when the parking demand is the greatest.

Murphy stated that the clientele that frequents his business at night is generally 21 to 40 years of age and more likely to visit his establishment after 9:00 p.m. in the evening. Murphy noted these people also may attend one or more of the restaurant / bar businesses in the downtown area.

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Murphy stated that their business has made an effort to pick up debris in the morning hours prior to the other businesses opening and not all the debris is from bar businesses.

Murphy noted that the capacity of the proposed game room will probably be less than 100 persons.

Breault asked if Mr. Murphy had an opportunity to discuss contracting for off-street parking. Murphy stated he had hoped to be able to visit Mr. Ken Heiser, First National Bank of Hudson, but has not been able to discuss the matter with him.

Yoerg expressed concern that there is limited on-street parking on the south end of Second Street; the area is further away from the city parking lots and that the neighbors have expressed concern about the debris.

Murphy expressed concern that the city council recently approved a liquor license on March 7^th when the off-street parking had been proposed, but had not been obligated by contract. Murphy noted that one alderperson expressed that there was sufficient on- and off-street parking in the downtown area.

Caruso noted that generally there should be sufficient parking available after 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, but that on Saturdays or Sundays there is a much greater demand for parking.

Breault asked when the business opened. Murphy noted 8:00 a.m.

Caruso noted he is in favor of a game room establishment in the community.

Linda Casanova explained that she and her husband have a business immediately north of Pudge’s and works at the Seasons on the St. Croix located near Pudge’s Bar. She noted that the debris left on their property is not well picked up, particularly on weekends. Casanova also expressed concern of vehicles parking, on their property, where ‘No Parking’ is posted, blocking accesses and in some instances it is difficult to plow the snow on their lot due to cars being left overnight.

Murphy explained that his wife cleans up around Pudge’s and the adjacent businesses between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. everyday except Sundays.

John Kromer, representing the Spirit Seller, noted that they have concerns of the proposed expansion and the request for waiver of off-street parking and that the previous comments made by the Spirit Seller regarding debris has not been addressed. Murphy commented that the Spirit Seller’s comments are made because they are opposed to a

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competitor improving their business. Kromer noted that their comments are made in regards to the expansion and availability of parking only.

Moved by Caruso, seconded by Yoerg to recommend to the Common Council not to waive the off-street parking required due to the proposed building enlargement. Motion carried, 3 - 2. Koch and Gilbert voting no. Koch asked Darnold if Pudge’s Bar did not increase the size of the building, whether the project could move ahead without a waiver for off-street parking. Darnold noted he would discuss that matter with the City Attorney. Koch stated that she felt there is adequate parking available in the downtown area particularly during the time of day that a business like Pudge’s typically operates.

Certified survey map, three industrial development lots (one new lot), west of Willis Miller Drive – St. Croix Business Park Corporation. Darnold explained that two businesses have expressed interest in purchasing part of the lots on the west side of Willis Miller Drive and there is a need to subdivide the area to provide for three development parcels. It will be necessary to provide for an additional sanitary and water service and that the utility and drainage easements between lots 3 and 4, CSM, Vol. 18, Page 4683 will need to be discontinued and reestablished along the property lines between proposed lots 1 and 2 and 2 and 3. The St. Croix Business Park will be responsible for providing a surety for the repair of the street, curb and gutter and boulevard with the amount to be determined by the city engineer.

Moved by Caruso, seconded by Yoerg to approve the three lot certified survey map and recommend approval to the Common Council as proposed by the St. Croix Business Park Corporation with the condition that the corporation provide a surety to restore the street, curb and gutter and boulevard areas disturbed by the installation of sanitary sewer and water mains with the amount of the surety to be determined by the city engineer and that the easement between lots 3 and 4, CSM, Volume 18, Page 4683 be discontinued. Motion carried.

Concept plat review (extraterritorial subdivision review – west 38 acres), Hills of Troy, residential subdivision, parts of Section 10 and 11, Town of Troy – Troy Development Corporation. Darnold noted that this subdivision is only partially located in the city’s extraterritorial subdivision review area. The area within the city’s review area is shown to be placed in four conservation easement lots. Gilbert asked if that area would be dedicated to the public or held privately. Darnold commented that he thought it would be held privately, but was not sure. The property may be entered into the forest tax credit program. Caruso asked if the proposed development lots would be served with individual septic systems or a community system. Darnold stated that information was not provided and that he would ask for a clarification. No action was taken.

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Other business for discussion purposes only or placement on future agendas.

No discussion.

Moved by Caruso, seconded by Yoerg to adjourn. Motion carried. 8:20 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis D. Darnold, Secretary