MINUTES
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 12, 2008

1. CALL TO ORDER.

The regular monthly meeting of the Marion Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 6:00 PM by Vice-Chair Mooney.

2. ROLL CALL.

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

3. MINUTES -

a. Planning and Zoning – December 19, 2007
b. Zoning Board of Adjustment – No Meeting
c. Council – January 3 and 17, 2008

Motion by Golden, seconded by Neighbor to approve the minutes of the December 19, 2007 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting as submitted.

All “ayes” motion carried.

4. PLATS-

a. CPC Resolution No. 08-01 regarding revised Nottingham Hills Addition to Linn County Preliminary Plat located east of Newcastle Road, between Hampshire Drive and East Robins Road in Marion.

Kaiser presented the staff report regarding the proposed preliminary plat.  She explained that this is a third preliminary plat for this tract of land.  She stated previous plats were approved in 1989 and 1993 and since those preliminary plats expired, significant changes to the stormwater regulations have required additional detention areas with the new application.  Kaiser stated the Engineering Department is currently working with the developer to finalize the stormwater detention plans to meet the needs of the development.

She noted that staff is requesting an additional comment be added to the preliminary plat indicating that Lots 18,19,55, and 68 meet the 60’ minimum lot width at the 25’ setback line.

The applicants had no additional comments.

Bob and Dawn Baker, 2095 Newcastle, questioned whether the drainage ditch in their backyard will be changed as a result of the new development.  Mike Brain, Brain Engineering, replied that the drainage ditch will not change, but because of the additional stormwater detention area, less water will flow through the drainage ditch.

Bob Baker asked if the proposed parkland/open space dedication would become a park for the neighborhood.  Staff replied that Outlot A will be dedicated to the City as open space, but will have a main function as a stormwater detention pond.  Brain stated that the pond should remain relatively dry other than during heavy rains, at which point water will collect in the pond and slowly be released into the nearby waterway within 24 hours.

Baker then asked if parkland dedication could be a requirement with new subdivisions, noting a lack of nearby parks. Treharne replied that at this time the City does not have parkland regulations for new developments.  He suggested contacting the City Council with the issue to possibly get new regulations adopted in the future.

Golden asked if Outlot A would have any additional room for playground equipment.  Dan Schmidt, Brain Engineering, replied that the detention pond will cover the entire outlot.  He stated that during dry times, the pond could be used as an open space for children if desired.

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

Motion by Golden, seconded by Moomey to recommend approval of CPC Resolution No. 08-01 regarding Nottingham Hills Addition to Linn County located east of Newcastle Road, between Hampshire Drive and East Robins Road in Marion.

All “ayes” motion carried.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

a. Hockett gave the Commission a brief update on the progress with the updated Zoning Code.  He noted that staff is currently working on finishing up the definitions portion of the Code.  He stated staff is still anticipating a late Spring approval.

b. Hockett then handed out various maps of the Downtown area. He also noted three separate maps hanging on the walls that represented the parcel specific Zoning, Future Land-Use, and Existing Land-Use maps.  He indicated that these updated maps allow for better readability and are more user friendly for City staff.

Hockett asked the Commission if they would be willing to review the maps for any discrepancies they may find.  He also noted that the Existing Land-Use map is not complete yet and that staff will come back to the Commission with updates as they occur.  He pointed out a few specific areas within Marion where the existing zoning and existing land-use do not match up.  Hockett asked for direction as to what the Commission felt these areas should be rezoned to with the new zoning map update that will accompany the new Zoning Code.  AbouAssaly replied that the new zoning should reflect what the current areas are predominantly used for, or how potential redevelopment will make the best use of the land. He stated predominantly single-family residential areas should be down-zoned to reflect the actual use of the properties instead of anticipating possible redevelopment that far exceeds that scope of this Zoning Code.

c. Hockett informed the Commission that over the course of the past few months, staff has been increasingly involved with sub-area plans for land west of Lowe Park and land north of 29th Avenue. He noted that Shive-Hattery has been selected as a consultant to develop the 29th Avenue North Sub-Area Plan with meetings occurring bi-weekly. He stated the MPO is leading the development of the Lowe Park Sub-Area Plan with meetings occurring bi-weekly as well. Treharne ask for a volunteer to be on those boards, AbouAssaly volunteered to represent the Commission.

a. Treharne informed the Commission of some potential annexations that may occur in the near future.  He stated that Chris Gill (the horse farm on Alburnett Road) has met with staff regarding annexation to the City.  Staff plans to contact the property owners to the south of the Gill property to see if they would be willing to voluntarily annex because their property, by law, cannot become a county island within Marion city limits should the Gill property be annexed.

Treharne also noted the large tract of land located southeast of Lowe Park that has remained in the County.  A 50 foot strip of right-of-way is the only thing keeping this area from being considered an island.  Annexing in this area would help to “clean up” the Marion City boundaries.

Another area is a small subdivision north of East Robins Road that Marion currently has annexation rights to.  The unincorporated property to the west is currently undergoing annexation to the City of Cedar Rapids.

Treharne then handed out a schedule of upcoming Land-Use Planning Workshops that may be of interest to the Commission members. He pointed out that Waterloo is hosting the closest workshop this year.

6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

a. Motion by Krigbaum, seconded by Neighbor to keep the same officers as 2007 (Chairman - Nesteby; Vice-Chairman - Mooney; Secretary – Preussner).

All “ayes” motion carried.

7. ADJOURN.

There being no additional business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cindy Preussner, Secretary