PLAN COMMISSION

November 9, 2006

                                                                                               

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

 

Others present:  Bob Schmidt, Paul Erickson, Pat McDivott, Marc Putman, Roger Tomten, Ron Clark, John Sheehan and Denny Darnold

 

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

 

Motion by Mailloux, seconded by Yoerg to approve the October 26, 2006 meeting minutes.  Motion carried.

 

Review and consideration to extend the conditional use permits for Wiseway Motor Freight motor freight terminals at 1300 Industrial Street and 1400 Swasey Street and adjacent parking lots.  Darnold noted that Wiseway Motor Freight has remained compliant with the conditions of the conditional use permit and that he recommended continuance.  Darnold noted that at the last review the permit was continued for a three year period.  Motion by Yoerg, seconded by Mailloux to recommend continuance of the conditional use permits to Wiseway Motor Freight with review in three years:

-         Next required review in three years, November, 2009.

-         Retention and maintenance of the required berm and landscaping on the north and west side of the site and required perimeter fencing.

-         No on-street parking of cabs and trailers.

-         No advertising of the sale or sales of trucks.

Motion carried.

 

Review and consideration to extend the conditional use permit for Mills Fleet Farm garden center, 1001 Industrial Street.  Darnold explained that Mills Fleet Farm have remained in compliance with the conditions established in the conditional use permit.   Motion by Caruso, seconded by Gilbert to recommend approval and review in three years (November, 2009):

            - Next review required in November, 2009

            - The garden center to be allowed to be open from April 15th to July 15th of each year.

            - Compliance with the fire inspector’s memorandum of 1/20/03.

Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 2, Plan Commission

November 9, 2006

 

 

Final development plans, 6,000 sq. ft. prop repair and retail, 1820 Webster Street – Propulsion Associates / David Monahan.  Darnold noted that there are two changes in the plans since it was submitted including lowering the height of the building by four (4) feet and inclusion of a valley gutter instead of a raised gutter to control storm water along the eastern property line.  Darnold stated that concern has been raised by the staff regarding opening the street to construct utility improvements during the winter months.

Darnold asked Pat McDivott if the street opening could wait until next spring.  McDivott stated he did not believe that would be a concern.  Bieraugel inquired about the landscape plan.  Darnold noted that two overstory trees need to be added along the west property line.  McDivott noted that there is an opportunity to save some trees along the west property line and could that be substituted for two new trees.  Darnold stated that the trees would need to be marked for inspection to determine if they would be acceptable.

 

Yoerg asked about the signage proposed.  McDivott noted that the sign located at the existing facility will be reused.

 

Motion by Caruso, seconded by Yoerg to recommend approval of the final development plans for Propulsion Associates at 1820 Webster Street with plans to be amended to:

            Revise plans to denote proposed change in building height and provision of the valley gutter along the east property line.

            Provide two additional 2 ½” caliper overstory trees between the west property line and the building or save two existing trees of similar size.

            Revise plans per the city engineer’s and fire inspector’s recommendations and provide a letter of credit for $ 8,640 to assure repair of street, curb and gutter and boulevard improvements and payment of associated inspection costs.

Motion carried.

 

Review of zoning standards and regulations and architectural review guidelines within the downtown business area – Plan Commission.  Darnold referred to a memo prepared by him to discuss the process of review and preparation of zoning standards and guidelines and architectural review guidelines.  Darnold requested the plan commission to give consideration to establishing a sub-committee to discuss and review the recommendations presented by the city staff and consultant and to meet in late November to discuss recommendations.  Darnold noted that the plan commission may want to have a visual analysis completed of specific areas of the downtown and site assessments of a four block area on the west side of First Street from Buckeye Street to Walnut Street.

 

 

 

 

Page 3, Plan Commission

November 9, 2006

 

 

Yoerg stated that the visibility of the river is a key issue for him and how that may be achieved in consideration of redevelopment of the downtown area. 

 

Mailloux expressed concern about the length of buildings, maintaining a block concept, alleyways and franchise businesses.

 

Bieraugel noted that the city needs to propose incentives for developers to promote cooperation in achieving the city’s development objectives and recommended guidelines.

 

Koch noted that she is concerned about incentives and wanted to try to provide development through a good set of standards.  Darnold commented at this point the plan commission should consider incentives and how they may work to accomplish the city’s development objectives.

 

Yoerg asked that the plan commission prepare a set of goals and objectives for the downtown area.  Darnold stated he would prepare a list for plan commission review.

 

Breault asked for volunteers to participate in a sub-committee.  Caruso, Yoerg, Mailloux and Gilbert volunteered to comprise the sub-committee to assist city staff and consultant with review of recommendations to be presented to the full plan commission.  Darnold noted that the meetings will be open to the public.  Jon Anthinson, GCI Builders expressed that they will want to attend and participate in the sub-committee meetings.

Yoerg suggested if possible inviting private development interests to participate in the sub-committee and full plan commission meetings throughout the process of preparing recommendations.

 

Darnold noted that he has requested being able to set up a meeting the last week of November of the full plan commission to review work to date.  At that time an analysis of the downtown area may be presented and a set of preliminary recommendations can be presented.

 

Bieraugel suggested that a process be established to minimize the time of the plan commission and to provide recommendations at the soonest opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 4, Plan Commission

November 9, 2006

 

 

Carmichael Rd. access control recommendations – Community Development Director.  Darnold referred to a memo and map graphic of a proposed access control plan prepared by BRAA staff.  The recommendations were initiated by a meeting with WisDOT staff in early 2006 to discuss impact of development on the 1-94 Exit 2 interchange.  WisDOT’s position is that, dependent on future development, they will close the access to the frontage road on the east side of I-94 to prevent the Exit 2 interchange from failing.   The closest access north of Coulee Rd. on the east side of

Carmichael Rd. will be 1,320 feet or approximately ¼ mile, or the existing shared access between Culver’s Restaurant and the Hudson Golf Club.  The other accesses will be approximately 1,320 feet apart until you get to Vine Street.  Also, dependent on the type of development that occurs there may be a need for a series of frontage roads along each side of Carmichael Rd.   Darnold asked the commission members to review and suggest any changes, but that the recommendations should be reviewed through a public hearing and incorporated into the city comprehensive plan.  Darnold reiterated the intent of the recommendations is to provide access control on Carmichael Rd. to assure the efficient and safe flow of traffic and prevent failure of the I-94 Exit 2 interchange.  No action was taken.

 

Other business for discussion purposes.  Mailloux asked about the dates of future plan commission meetings.  Darnold noted that typically the plan commission only meets once in November and once in December (7th) due to the holidays, but this year may establish special meetings to discuss the preparation of the development regulations in the downtown business district.

 

Motion by Mailloux, seconded by Caruso to adjourn.  Motion carried.  8:12 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis Darnold, Secretary