Planning Commission

FAIRMONT PLANNING COMMISSION The regular meeting of the Fairmont Planning Commission was held on September 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Building located at 500 Quincy Street. President Straight called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for a roll call of members. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT Commissioner Yann Commissioner Colley Commissioner Richardson Commissioner Blickenstaff Commissioner Parker Commissioner Majic Commissioner Carpenter Commissioner Greene President Straight Commissioner Yann motioned to excuse Commissioners Blickenstaff and Colley from tonight’s meeting. Commissioner Greene seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0. CITY STAFF City Planner – Sandra Scaffidi Senior Staff Assistant – Maria Cipolla Mayor, Tom Manella Councilwoman, Marianne Moran City Manager, Robin Gomez PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Yann led the Commissioners in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM July 19, 2017 Commissioner Majic motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Greene seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0. PUBLIC HEARING FOR September 20, 2017 1. The regular Planning Commission meeting will be dedicated to a general discussion of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Sandra Scaffidi introduced Amy Wiles, a consultant from Mackin Engineering, who came in tonight to discuss the progress their firm was making on the update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Amy Wiles showed the Commissioners a Power Point presentation that went over the goals the Commissioners set for the City’s next Comprehensive Plan and some recommendations on how to achieve them, as well as, some policies, projects, and procedures to assist the City in achieving these goals. The Commissioners discussed it with her throughout the presentation. The vision for Fairmont is to build a better Fairmont. Goal #1 - Attraction – makes Fairmont a well-known and unique destination; enhance our Way-Finding Program and improving the City’s gateways. Goal #2 – Marketing Plan – 1) A city wide effort to attract visitors and new businesses. 2) A quick pamphlet for some local attractions 3) Utilize social media and spotlighting local businesses either weekly or monthly (self-promote and branding the City). The City needs to develop a logo. Prosperity – Create an employment hub that grows and diversifies the economy. The City should not be tied to just one industry. Give the residents a sense of place; of being a part of their community. Certain properties and areas have been identified as priority developments sites; such as  the Sharon Steel and Owens/Illinois sites, the Beltline area, the University District (especially the hospital and FSU), Riverfront (undeveloped space around Palatine Park and homes along the riverfront), as well as expanding the High Tech Park, The consultants also suggesting creating a business incubator and a conference center. Goal #3 – Vitality – This goal focuses on the Downtown District. The goal in this district is to bring in businesses, maintaining what we have, and expand on our Arts & Culture. They suggest having mixed-use buildings that have retail on the bottom and housing on higher floors. Another goal could be to create a farmers market and seating in the green space and utilizing the old tire center property for development; they also advice increasing police presence with foot patrol in this area. Goal #4 - Neighborhoods – Making sure the neighborhoods are safe. There is a lack of quality and newer housing, has been identified as an issue. The city needs to work with the County and the Housing Authority to assemble larger parcels for new developments. East Side, right off of the highway, would be a great location for this type of project, as well as, near the High Tech Park, Downtown, and University areas. The minimum lot size needs to be smaller than 6,000 square feet for non-conforming parcels (with and without structures). There are too many lots below this size within the City: 65% of the vacant buildings are sitting on substandard lots. We should make an amendment to the code for non-conforming lots that currently exist. A major indoor recreation center should also be considered for the future of the City. Code enforcement and additional police are important to addressing safety issues. The vacant building and rental property registrations should have stronger fines to back them up. Also, the City should install street traffic lights that have a beeping sound for the visually impaired. Goal #5 - Connectivity – We need to make Fairmont more bicycle, ADA and pedestrian friendly. The first simple step could be to adopt a complete streets ordinance. The City needs to conduct an audit on the City’s sidewalks; where they are; if they are in good condition, and where they need to be added. Then develop a long term plan on financing the maintenance and installation of sidewalks. Also, have bike lanes on the main roads through town and near the college. People leave the trails and ride through the City. Day trippers send about $10 to $15 dollars a day when they come off the trails. Connecting and completing the rails-to-trails should be another priority. Goal #6 – Sustainability – This covers the utilization of public and government buildings, a city-wide natural disaster plan, recycling containers at parks and public events, and much more. Future Land Use Identifying development sites (both new investments and rehabilitating old investments): Brownfields sites University District Riverfront – both sides of the river. Historic Buildings Rails-to-trails Reusing Vacant properties Old Owens/Illinois Property Pedestrian bridge across the river Beltline area Top of the Connector Technology District Commissioners requested the presentation be emailed to them. Amy Wiles: Next, we will give you financing strategies; how to prioritize your goals and how to achieve those goals. We also help you identify short term and long term goals. We will help you identify staff time and resources that will be required for the City’s projects and goals. Some of these goals will require outreach and/or promoting the information to the public. We will help you with that. We will be sending this to some the City’s stakeholders, Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations to help partner with some of them to achieve some the projects that align with their goals and mission. Later, we will present a draft plan and present it to the public. Sandra Scaffidi: Then we will go to the adoption phase after that. PUBLIC HEARING TO SET FOR October 18, 2017 None NEW BUSINESS None CITIZENS PETITION (For items not listed on the agenda) Citizens must register in advance with the recording secretary) None OTHER BUSINESS 1. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Parker: Thank you Mrs. Wiles for the presentation and all your efforts. I also want to compliment the City on all the paving they are completing. Commissioner Richardson: Thank you for the presentation. I learned some things. Commission Carpenter: Thank you. President Straight: Thank you. If you could, send out a draft copy so that the Commissioners can have an opportunity to go over the new Comprehensive Plan. 2. Staff Updates: Sandra Scaffidi: I am hoping to have an opportunity in November to change our zoning text thru an amendment to allow for a non-conforming lot size to be adjusted. ADJOURNMENT President Straight: Do we have a motion to adjourn? Commissioner Yann: I move to adjourn. Commissioner Richardson: I second the motion. Motion carried 7-0