Planning and Zoning Commission

Planning & Development Department 1200 Main Street, Evanston, Wyoming 82930 Office: (307) 783-6459 Fax: (307) 783-6490 Email: djacobsen@evanstonwy.org Web: www.evanstonwy.org Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes July 10, 2017 6:00 p.m.-City Hall Commissioners Present: Kevin Adams, Vice Chairperson Heath Beaudry Kimberly Begalla Michael Day Rowdy Dean Robert N. Smith Staff Present: Denise Boal, City Attorney Dean Barker, City Engineer/City Planner DuWayne Jacobsen, Associate Planner Janel Campbell, Administrative Assistant Vice Chairperson Adams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Vice Chairperson Adams asked for a motion to approve the agenda for the July 10, 2017 meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Day, seconded by Commissioner Smith. Motion carried. Ms. Campbell informed the Commission that minutes from the June 5th meeting will be presented and approved at the September 11th meeting of the Planning Commission. Vice Chairperson Adams proceeded to new business. Denise Boal, City Attorney opened the public hearing with the following docket: CP 17-04 A request by EA Architecture for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a church on a parcel of land located within the SE ¼ of Section 20, T 15 N, R 120 W of the 6th P.M., Evanston, Wyoming. This parcel of land is zoned Office-Developing (O-D). The LDS Church is proposing to construct a new meetinghouse on a site which is approximately 5 acres. (Section 24-15 B. (30)) 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 is 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. Mr. Arron Bleak, who’s mailing address is 11576 S. State Street, Draper, Utah, was sworn in. Mr. Bleak mentioned that he is representing the LDS Church. Mr. Bleak stated that the LDS Church is requesting a conditional use permit to allow a meetinghouse at the West Cheyenne Drive location. The meetinghouse will be approximately 16,000 square feet. An on-site parking lot will be constructed which will include 238 parking spaces. Landscaping will be installed to meet landscaping requirements of the Evanston City Code and church requirements. A small storage building and masonry screened dumpster enclosure is proposed at the rear of the property. Attorney Boal asked if there was anyone present who has questions for the applicant. Lisa Beachell, who resides at 440 Elm Street, Evanston, Wyoming, questioned if a traffic study is needed for the proposed meetinghouse. She stated that members attending the church primarily live on the north side of Interstate 80 and would access the meetinghouse via the 6th Street underpass. She mentioned that traffic can back up to the ballfields during Evanston High School functions. Mr. Bleak commented that road capacities in the area was a consideration in selecting this particular site. The streets will accommodate expected traffic flow. A traffic study has not been completed, but they are willing to do a traffic study. He mentioned that there will be 3 congregations attending the meetinghouse. Not all three congregations will be there at one time. Congregations will be alternated throughout the day on Sunday which normally has the lowest traffic volumes. Driveway approaches to the meetinghouse are adequately spaced with driveways on adjacent properties. Cheyenne Drive will be widened to improve traffic flow at this location. Dean Barker, City Engineer/City Planner commented that a traffic study has not been required for this development. However, a traffic study could be considered. Dean questioned if the meetinghouse would be a stake center. Mr. Bleak stated that the meetinghouse would be a stake center. Two times a year, there would be approximately 630 people attending the building. Mr. Barker commented that the stake center boundaries would extend from 9th Street to properties located within the northwest side of town. In his opinion, traffic would primarily access the site via Cheyenne Drive from Harrison Drive and Overthrust Road. There will be some traffic impacts to the 6th Street underpass route. The left hand turn signal at the intersection of Yellow Creek Road and Cheyenne Drive will need to be adjusted. As the City continues to expand along Yellow Creek Road to the southwest, the 6th Street underpass will need to be addressed. Ms. Beachell questioned traffic during the weekdays when activities are held at Evanston High School and the meetinghouse at the same time. A traffic study might suggest a need for additional improvements. Mr. Barker commented that the driveway spacing between the church and Red Devil Drive is 180 feet. The spacing between Red Devil Drive and Red Canyon Village Townhouses has a similar spacing of 180 feet. For a 35 mile per hour road, the 180- foot spacing places the driveways for the meetinghouse outside of the area of influence where motorists are making decisions. Driveway spacing is an item that he asked their engineers to look at. Commissioner Begalla questioned overflow parking and parking along Cheyenne Drive. Mr. Barker stated that the LDS Church will be required to widen Cheyenne Drive along the south side of the road the length of the property. The City is not requiring turn lanes to be striped at this time. Striped turn lanes will be completed once the road has been widened on both sides. Widening the road will allow for parking along Cheyenne Drive. Parking on the street could potentially impact traffic flow. Commissioner Smith commented that he would like to see an additional 100 to 200 more parking spaces along the rear of the property to accommodate both church and school functions. Mr. Bleak responded that a minimum of 220 parking spaces is required for the building size. The site plan illustrates 238 parking spaces. To minimize traffic at the meetinghouse, the building will be equipped with broadcasting capabilities. Commissioner Begalla questioned if the LDS Church was closing one of their buildings. Mr. Bleak stated that he has not been given any instructions to take down any church buildings. Attorney Boal asked if anyone had any further questions for the applicant. With no further questions, he asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of or opposed to the application. With nobody to speak in favor of or opposed to the application, Attorney Boal closed the hearing. Vice Chairperson Adams asked for a motion to approve CP 17-04. A motion to approve CP 17-04 with staff recommendations was made by Commission Dean, seconded by Commissioner Smith. Vice Chairperson Adams asked for discussion. Commissioner Begalla offered a suggestion to the LDS Church to pick up more land for future parking expansion. Vice Chairperson Adams questioned if the proposed development meets minimum parking requirements of the Evanston City Code. Attorney Boal confirmed that the site plan was in compliance with the minimum parking space requirement. With no further discussion, Vice Chairperson Adams called for a vote. Motion Approved Unanimously. With no other business, Vice Chairperson Adams reviewed future meeting dates: August 7, September 11, and October 2. There were no concerns expressed about the future meeting dates. Vice Chairperson Adams adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.