Planning and Zoning Commission

City of Evanston Planning & Zoning Commission Board of Adjustment 1200 Main Street, Evanston, Wyoming 82930 Ph.# (307) 783-6470 Fax: (307) 783-6490 Email: jcampbell@evanstonwy.org Web: www.evanstonwy.org Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes October 5, 2015 6:00 p.m.-City Hall Commissioners Present: Chuck Straw, Chairman Amy Velasquez John Holderegger Mike Sellers Eric Mander Andy Bailey Deborah Demander Georgia Harvey Staff Present: Dennis Boal, City Attorney Paul Knopf, City Planner DuWayne Jacobsen, Associate Planner Janel Campbell, Administrative Assistant Chairman Straw called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Straw asked for a motion to approve the agenda for the October 5, 2015 meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Holderegger, seconded by Commissioner Harvey. Motion carried. Chairman Straw asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the July 13, 2015 and September 14, 2015 meetings. Paul Knopf mentioned that the July 13, 2015 minutes would be presented at the next Planning and Zoning meeting. A motion to approve the September 14, 2015 minutes was made by Commissioner Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Velasquez. Motion carried. With nothing under old business, Chairman Straw proceeded to new business, CP 15- 12. Attorney Boal explained the legalities of the hearing stating that the applicant(s) would be heard from first, followed by those who were in favor of the applicant(s), and finally, from those who were opposed. He explained that this public hearing was a contested case hearing and that anyone who wished to contest the Commission’s decision must make it known to him at the closing of the hearing. Attorney Boal opened the hearing with CP 15-12 A request by Wyoming Downs OTB, LLC for a Conditional Use Permit to allow an indoor entertainment use (off-track pari- mutuel wagering) for Lot 1, Block 1 of the Frisco Addition subdivision located at 1925 Harrison Drive, Evanston, Wyoming 82930, which is zoned Highway Business- Established (HB-E). Wyoming Downs is proposing to relocate the existing OTB located across the street at 1932 Harrison Drive to 1925 Harrison Drive, formerly Lotty’s Liquor and Restaurant. (Section 24-15 B(20)) Ms. Jodi Lopez, whose mailing address is 1932 Harrison Drive, was sworn in. Ms. Lopez stated that Wyoming Downs OTB is proposing to move from their present location at 1932 Harrison Drive to 1925 Harrison Drive. Currently, they pay a month-to month lease at 1932 Harrison Drive. By purchasing and moving the Wyoming Downs OTB to the property at 1925 Harrison Drive, they anticipate a substantial savings with utility and rent costs. Ms. Lopez indicated that there would be no changes in the way they operate the business or business hours. Attorney Boal asked if anyone in the audience had questions for the applicant. With no questions, Attorney Boal asked if the Commission had questions for the applicant. Commissioner Sellers asked who was helping to clean up the new location. He mentioned that it looks nice. Ms. Lopez thanked Commissioner Sellers for his comment and mentioned that they have hired the work to be done. They have completed exterior improvements to the parking lot and landscaping. Interior improvements have not required any structural changes to the building. Commissioner Demander questioned, aside from painting the exterior of the building, if they were planning any building renovations. Ms. Lopez stated that they would not be renovating the building, but they are doing some improvements to the building. Commissioner Velasquez questioned the landscaping improvements. Ms. Lopez stated that they had someone address the weed issue on the property and remove weeds from the existing landscaped areas. There are existing plants that they will expand upon in the spring. Commissioner Bailey asked if they were going to do anything with the basement. Ms. Lopez stated that they are not going to do anything with the basement at this time. Commissioner Bailey asked if they were going to offer food and alcoholic beverages. Ms. Lopez stated that they would not offer food or alcoholic beverages at this time. If they are able to obtain a liquor license, they may offer alcoholic beverages at some point in the future. Commissioner Bailey questioned how many customers frequent their current location. Ms. Lopez said that on average they have between 200 to 300 customers per week. After the Wyoming Pari-mutuel Commission’s decision on Friday, they had no customers today. Attorney Boal questioned if she had obtained approval from the State Pari-mutuel Commission and the Uinta County Commissioners. Ms. Lopez stated that they have obtained approval by the State Pari-mutuel Commission last Friday; and depending upon the outcome of this hearing, she will ask to be placed on the Uinta County Commission’s agenda tomorrow. Attorney Boal asked if she realizes that the Planning Commission cannot grant anything that the State of Wyoming determines to be illegal. Ms. Lopez stated that she understands and added that they would not do anything to jeopardize their license. With no one present to speak in favor of or in opposition of the application, Attorney Boal asked if the Commission had any questions. With no further questions, the hearing was closed. Chairman Straw asked for a motion to approve CP 15-12. Commissioner Harvey made a motion to approve CP 15-12 with staff recommendations and to include landscaping requirements. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Demander. Chairman Straw asked for discussion. Chairman Straw asked Paul Knopf if the Commission should require some amount of landscaping. Mr. Knopf offered that Planning Department staff could work with the applicant to install some measure of landscaping. Chairman Straw agreed with Mr. Knopf’s proposal. Chairman Straw called for a vote. Motion Carried Unanimously. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Mr. Knopf informed the Planning Commission that the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 2nd.