MINUTES
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 19, 2007
(Meeting rescheduled from December 11 Due to Inclement Weather)

1. CALL TO ORDER.

The regular monthly meeting of the Marion Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairman Nesteby.

2. ROLL CALL.

Members Present: Golden, Seidel, Mooney, Nesteby, Neighbor, Moomey
Members Absent: AbouAssaly, Preussner, Krigbaum
Staff Present: Hockett and Kaiser

3. MINUTES -

a. Planning and Zoning – November 13, 2007
b. Zoning Board of Adjustment – November 20, 2007
c. Council – November 1 and 15, 2007

Motion by Mooney, seconded by Golden to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2007 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting as submitted.

All “ayes” motion carried.

4. PLATS-

a. CPC Resolution No. 07-37 regarding Yoder First Addition to Linn County located at the northwest corner of Hindman Road and Big Springs Road.

Kaiser presented the staff report regarding the proposed County split indicating that it was located outside the current Marion City limits; however, the City has a two-mile review jurisdiction.  She noted that staff has no objections to permitting the split subject to an agreement to annex at the time the property becomes adjacent to Marion City limits. At the time of annexation, the owner may be required to connect to or pay for the improvements of water, sanitary sewer, storm water, sidewalks, or roads adjacent to their property.

The applicant, Lee Wells, 6814 Choctaw Ridge, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, informed the Commission that this property was formed as the result of an illegal farmstead split.  It is being replatted to make it a legal split.  He noted that he has already completed the well check and has put in a new septic system per the County’s request.  He commented that the property has already been sold and the new owner is primarily interested in the crop ground surrounding the property.

There were no additional comments for or against the proposed final plat.

Motion by Mooney, seconded by Golden to recommend approval of CPC Resolution No. 07-37 regarding Yoder First Addition to Linn County located at the northwest corner of Hindman Road and Big Springs Road.

All “ayes” motion carried.

5. REZONING -

a. CPC Resolution No. 07-38 regarding Frank Reynolds request to rezone property located at 241 13th Street from C-4 Warehouse/Commercial to R-3, Two-Family Residential (Case No. 07-07)

Hockett presented the staff report regarding the proposed rezoning and oriented the Commission to the property.  He noted that this property is in the old industrial part of town where various zoning districts come together.  He stated Residential uses are not allowed on Commercial property and, therefore, must be rezoned to a Residential designation if the applicant wishes to move a house onto the property.

Hockett stated this property was created from a split that occurred as a result of Dulings 1st Addition being platted a few years ago and has remained commercially zoned for a long time.  Hockett then displayed the current zoning map of the area indicating that properties to the west were commercially zoned, and the properties to the east were predominantly residential.

Moomey questioned whether this property was part of the Central Corridor TIF District.  Hockett replied that he did not think it was in the district.

Nesteby asked if there were alleys within the block?  Hockett replied that there are alleys; however, none of them are being used for transportation purposes.

Golden asked about the current surrounding land uses.  Hockett noted that there are duplexes and single-family homes to the east and commercial uses to the west.

The applicant, Frank Reynolds, 111 19th Street, Marion, Iowa, noted that he is proposing to move an existing 3 bedroom ranch-style house to the property.  His initial plans were to have the house complete before Christmas, but those plans had been slowed down due to the recent severe weather.  He was currently working with the Building Department to be able to temporarily place the house on the lot without the foundation, until the foundation can be constructed.

Mooney asked where the current sanitary sewer and water lines were located.  Reynolds replied that sanitary sewer is located at the corner of the block and will need to be brought up to the property. The water lines run in front of the property.

JC Petrak asked Hockett what he meant when he had previously mentioned that the City was trying to “clean up the block”.  Hockett replied that there are numerous zoning districts and uses within the area and the City is undergoing a current land-use survey that will help identify how the land is currently being used and what the land should be rezoned to when the City updates its zoning ordinance.  This rezoning will help to allow for a more organized form of redevelopment.  Hockett noted that any commercially zoned property would be allowed to be used as commercial until such time it is rezoned to something other than commercial and the commercial use is discontinued for more than two years.  He stated as long as the property is being continuously used as commercial, the commercial use will be allowed to take place.

With no further comments from the audience, the public hearing was closed.

Motion by Seidel, seconded by Golden to recommend approval of CPC Resolution No. 07-38 regarding Frank Reynolds’ request to rezone the property located at 241 13th Street from C-4, Warehouse/Commercial to R-3, Two-Family Residential.
 
All “ayes” motion carried.

6. OTHER BUSINESS

a. Hockett noted that both Nesteby and Moomey have expressed interest in continuing their term on the Commission for an additional 5 years and that elections will be held at the January Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

7. ADJOURN.

There being no additional business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cindy Preussner, Secretary