PLAN COMMISSION

April 23, 2009

                                                                                                           

Members present:  Knudson, Burchill, Yoerg, Olson, Selissen, Vance and Casanova

 

Others present:  Veronica Anderson, Dave Simons, Gordon Conard, Liz Moline, Dick Grekoff, Richard Stout, Jason Bast, Steve Wilcox, Charles Huntley, Randy Hanson and Denny Darnold

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Knudson at 7:02 p.m.

 

Motion by Casanova, seconded by Yoerg to approve the April 9, 2009 meeting minutes.  Olson requested a correction to the minutes of the motion made for the approval of the T & T Collision Center conditional use permit that it was made by Olson.  Correction noted, and the minutes will be changed accordingly.  Motion carried with the correction noted.

 

Comprehensive Plan Update, SEH (planning consultants) – Dave Simons and Veronica Anderson.  Simons reported on the open house held previously that afternoon and that about 20 guests registered.  Many comments were received; particularly, the creation of planning districts and proposed planning district policies were marked for priorities.  Simons stated that SEH will review and prepare a summary of the comments.

Simons asked for comments from the plan commission members.  Knudson stated that there was positive feedback on the planning districts.  Simons noted that the draft of the elements for background information, land use, transportation, economic development and public facilities is available for public review on the SEH web page under ‘online projects’.

 

Veronica Anderson reviewed the process of the preparation of the park board’s outdoor recreation plan.  The update should be ready by August.  Yoerg asked if the city’s trail system will be part of that plan.  Anderson stated yes.  Casanova stated that one issue that will be addressed is the coordination of the trail system between Prospect Park and Lakefront Park through downtown Hudson.

 

Knudson inquired about proposed policies listed for the Carmichael (planning) District in the draft comprehensive plan in regard to development near or abutting the existing corporate limits.  Simons responded that the policies have not been adopted, but could be used as guidelines.  Knudson asked if the positioning of multiple family residential uses between commercial and one-family development may be considered a form of buffer between land uses.  Simon stated yes.  Darnold added that there may be other methods for transitioning land uses such as mitigation measures such as landscaping.

 

Knudson reminded the plan commissioners to review the draft elements and to get their suggested changes noted. 

 

 

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Rezoning request by Blue Jay Properties to rezone properties at 653 to 661 Ban Tara Lane from One-Family Residential District to RM-1, Multiple Family Residential District and Resolution 01-09, amendment to the city of Hudson comprehensive plan to change the land use designation from Highway Commercial to Medium Density Residential, part of Section 32, Town of Hudson, generally located east of Carmichael Road and south of Center Drive (extraterritorial zoning district) – Blue Jay Properties.  Darnold explained that this property is located in the town of Hudson abutting the city of Hudson and is generally located to the east of the Hudson Chrysler auto dealership.  Darnold noted that the extraterritorial zoning committee recommended approval of the rezoning.  Darnold also noted that he recommended approval of the rezoning.  He explained that the comprehensive plan designates the property commercial in the future land use plan.  When the Ban Tara commercial area was developed, this area and one additional parcel to the north were not included in the annexation.  Darnold opined that he felt the area remaining is more suitable for multiple family residential than commercial due to topography.  The redevelopment would replace four existing septic systems with one new system, Darnold commented.  Twenty years ago, Darnold stated, he would not have been in favor of this type of development on a septic system, but the technology has changed.

 

Dick Grekoff, representing Blue Jay Properties commented that the extraterritorial committee unanimously was in favor of the rezoning. Grekoff explained that the proposed development, 52 unit senior residential care facility, will be served with private septic and well systems.  The water discharged to the drain field will be treated to the point that it is drinkable, Grekoff noted.

 

Yoerg asked if the property was tested for percolation.  Grekoff answered yes.

 

Grekoff stated the building, if the development is approved, will have a fire sprinkler system as required by the national fire code.

 

Knudson expressed concern that this property should be annexed to the city of Hudson. He referred to page 30 of the proposed draft land use plan noting that two of the policies proposed is that urban levels of development should be discouraged unless public facilities are available and sufficient and to cooperatively plan with neighboring jurisdictions to discourage urban-like development, provided that sufficient public facilities can be provided to serve new development.

 

Knudson acknowledged that the Common Council directed the community development department that there should be no annexations resulting in residential

 

 

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development.  That directive, Knudson added, was initiated with the concern of the amount of residential development that was occurring and the potential impact on the school district.  Knudson felt this rezoning should not be approved as it does not promote orderly expansion of the city and is not good for the city.  Knudson noted that he is not opposed to this type of residential development for senior residents, but felt it should be in the city.

 

Yoerg commented that the zoning would provide for a transitional use between the commercial (city) and one-family uses (town).

 

Motion by Casanova, seconded by Yoerg to recommend approval of the request to rezone property from One-Family Residential District to RM-1, Multiple Family Residential District by Blue Jay Properties for the parcels at 653 to 661 Ban Tara Lane located in the town of Hudson (extraterritorial zoning district).  Motion carried.  5-2, Knudson and Burchill voting no.

 

Motion by Vance, seconded by Yoerg to approve Resolution 01-09 to change the land use classification in the 1993 City of Hudson comprehensive plan from Highway Commercial to Medium Density Residential for the parcels at 653 to 661 Ban Tara Lane.  Motion carried.

 

Placement of statue in Lakefront Park as proposed by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) – referred from the Common Council.  Olson recused herself from discussion as she is a board member of the Boy Scouts.  Knudson noted that it is the responsibility of the plan commission to review placement of statues in city parks and to provide a recommendation to the Common Council.  Knudson noted that the issue at hand is determining if the location proposed for the statue is acceptable.  Details of the statue, if the location is approved, will be resubmitted to the park board and plan commission for consideration.  Casanova, chairman of the park board, noted that the initial proposal was to have the statue located at the terminus of Locust Street.  The park board approved a location for the proposed statue to be on the north side of the extension on Walnut Street and west of First Street.  The park board felt that was a good location for the statue. 

 

Yoerg commented that the site was a good location and that the Boy Scouts of America have a well established history of participation and service within the Hudson community.

 

Knudson explained that there is no existing policy in regard to statues or memorials in the city parks or other city properties, thus there is no particular path to follow for consideration.  A policy has been drafted, Knudson explained; and he would present a

 

 

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draft policy to the Common Council to consider at the May 4 Common Council meeting.  He felt the Council should establish a policy prior to their consideration of this issue.

Yoerg commented that at one time a cannon existed south of Walnut Street in Lakefront Park but was removed several years ago.

 

Knudson noted that some of the issues that would be included in a city policy for statues or memorials include safety, maintenance, vandalism and relocation to state a few and whether the city or the donator would be responsible for the various aspects of the memorials or statues.

 

Knudson advised that the plan commission may approve or deny the proposed location in Lakefront Park or postpone consideration until the Common Council has had an opportunity to review the proposed draft policy.

 

Yoerg commented that there have been a great number of Eagle Scouts in the community and he suggested the statue will reflect the contributions of the BSA to the character of the Hudson community.

 

Motion by Burchill, seconded by Yoerg to approve the proposed location of the statue to be donated by the Boy Scouts of America within Lakefront Park and on the north side of the extension of Walnut Street.  Motion carried.

 

Knudson noted that the process will be a review of the policy and plan commission recommendation on May 4th by the Common Council with the possibility that it may be referred back to the park board and plan commission for continued consideration.

 

Yoerg expressed that establishing a policy to review proposed statues and memorials is a good idea.

 

Other business for information purposes only or placement on future agendas.  Darnold noted that the next plan commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 7th and the next discussion of the comprehensive plan will be Thursday, May 21st.  Casanova and Vance indicated that they will not be able to attend the May 7th meeting.  Darnold asked that if others are not able to attend on May 7th to please let him know as soon as possible.

 

Motion by Burchill, seconded by Casanova to adjourn.  Motion carried.  7:58 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis Darnold, Secretary