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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 16, 2005 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 16,2005 7:30 PM The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Chairperson Szurek. RollCall: Commission Members present-Thompson, Fiorendino, Peterson, and Szurek. Members Absent- Schmitt Also present were Perry Thorvig (City Plmmers-from Dahlgren, Shardlow, and Uban), Shelley Hanson (Secretary), and Tami Ericson Diehm (Council Liaison). Motion by Fiorendino, seconded by Peterson, to approve the minutes from the meeting o/July 7, 2005. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PUBLIC HEARINGS REQUEST: 2005-0801 Schafer Richardson South side of Huset Park from Jeffel'son/Madison Street to 5th St -Industrial Pk Redevelopment Area (Park View) Final Plat (Phase I) and Vacation of a part of 5th Street CASE NUMBER: APPLICANT: LOCATION: PREPARED BY: Perry Thorvig, Consultant Planner Introduction Schafer Richardson requests approval of: I. The final plat for the Phase 1 of the redevelopment of the industrial area south of Huset Park, and 2. The vacation of parts ofSth St. N.E. north and south of the new Huset Parkway. Phase 1 is part of a larger 28-acre redevelopment area that the developers are now calling Park View. Phase 1 contains 123 dwelling units on approximately II acres ofland (lU8 dwelling units/acre). There are 46 two-story townhomes and 77 three-story carriage home units. There are no public streets proposed within the project. r PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 2 AUGUST 16,2005 Planning Considerations 1. The preliminary plat was approved by the City Council on June 13,2005. 2. The plat was approved based on the condition that the applicant revise the plat slightly to account for the minor realignment of 5th St. N.E. where it intersects with Huset Parkway and that a development agreement, be prepared that specifies the responsibilities of the developer and the City. 3. In order to vacate a street, it must be found that the street is no longer needed for any public purpose. Notice of the vacation was sent to the abutting property owners and the utility companies. No abutting property owners objected. Qwest and CenterPoint Energy have facilities in the street that must be protected by way of easement. Their responses are as follows: Qwest has buried facilities along the east curb line of 5th Street. These facilities must be protected by way of easement. The applicant's site plan does not show any building over these facilities. CenterPoint Energy has a natural gas main in the east half of 51h Street and needs to have this facility protected by an easement. This is not in an area where the developer proposed to build. Findings of Fact for Final Plat Section 9.412 (6) of the Columbia Heights zoning code requires that the City Council make each of the following findings before approving a final plat: 1. The final plat substantially conforms to the approved preliminary plat. The final plat does substantially conform to the approved preliminwy plat. Only the requested changes to the alignment of 5th Street NE. have been made pursuant to stqffinstructions. 2. The proposed subdivision conforms to the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance. The final plat conforms to the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance. Findings of Fact for Vacation of 5th Street The street is not needed for any public purpose and can be vacated provided easements are retained for existingfacilities in the right of way for Qwest and CenterPoint. Therefore, staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval the final plat based on the finding that the final plat substantially conforms to the preliminary plat. and Staff also recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the requested vacation of 5th Street N.E. provided easements are preserved for Qwest and CenterPoint Energy. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSIOIN MINUTES PAGE 3 AUGUST IS, 2005 Questions/comments from Commissioners: The Commissioners were in agreement that the easement should be a blanket easement for all utilities that may need to use the underground area to provide service to residents in the future. They were concerned that by preserving the easement specifically for Qwest and Centerpoint, this prohibits the use by any other utility such as cable, DSL lines, or other future technology in this area. Thorvig said he would check with Kevin Hansen from Public Works, the two above mentioned utility companies, and Ryland Homes before this goes to the City Council to ensure the wording of a "general utility easement" is acceptable. Fiorendino questioned why it is necessary for 5th St to meet at a 90 degree angle. Thorvig said it is customary to do so when possible as it is safer to do so and provides better visibility. By vacating this small piece, it allows the streets to line up better. Fiorendino then asked ifthe general utility easement were approved, would the cable company have access to the space also. He was told, yes, they may have access to the space provided all the necessary permits were obtained and they did not disturb the existing utilities. The permit application process including review of the plans would ensure that co-using the space would be acceptable. Szurek stated she has received several phone calls asking when the development on Central Avenue is starting. It seems people are confused with the sales trailer at the old Burger King site. They think townhomes are being constructed there. She suggested Ryland put up better signage to clarify the 39th and Central site is for sales only. The Public Hearing was opened. No one wished to speak. So the Public Hearing was closed. Motion by Fiorendino, seconded by Thompson, to recommend the City Council approve the final plat based on the finding that the final plat substantially conforms to the preliminmy plat. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Thompson, to recommend the City Council approve the requested vacation of 51h Street HE. provided a utility easement be preserved. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. NEW BUSINESS None MISCELLANEOUS None The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm. Resp' ctfully submitted, ,C:=A (\~~ l)V\, :sliirf'ey anso Secretary