Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 16, 2019 5:00 o’clock p.m. Meeting Chairman Dev Sookram called the meeting to order at 5:00 o’clock p.m. He stated a copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted continually for public inspection located near the entrance door by the agendas. Roll call showed Chairman Sookram and Commissioners: Landholm, Borisow, Bowen, Carlson, Gifford, Horeis, Sawyer and Nielsen were present. Nine Commissioners present – a quorum was established. Chairman Sookram read the item: disclosure of Ex Parte communication regarding any item on the agenda into the record. There were no Ex Parte communications stated. Chairman Sookram read the item: dispense with the reading of the minutes of the November 18, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting as prepared into the record. It was noted that the Agenda states the minutes of October 12, 2019 not November 18, 2019. A motion to correct the date of the minutes to November 18, 2019 was made by Sawyer and seconded by Gifford. All nine Commissioners voted aye. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Commissioner Borisow and seconded by Commissioner Horeis to approve the amended minutes of the November 18, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting. All nine Commissioners voted aye. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Sookram read the item: Meeting dates for 2020. The Director of Planning noted that two meetings in 2020 fell on Federal Holidays, President’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr Day and wanted to make sure no one had any conflicts with those days. No conflicts were mentioned and the consensus of the Commission was that the meeting dates were acceptable. Chairman Sookram stated that there would be a three minute time allotment for those wanting to speak on the agenda items tonight, however the applicant would be allotted more time for their presentation. Chairman Sookram read the item: An amendment to the 23rd & Bell Street redevelopment plan for the Fremont Mall Rehabilitation project, including a request for designation of the mall as an enhanced employment area and imposition of a one percent occupation tax on sales. The area of the redevelopment plan is generally located on the northwest corner of N. 23rd and Bell Streets, Fremont, Nebraska. The Planning Director presented her staff report. Chairman Sookram asked the Commissioners if there were any questions. Landholm and Borisow asked questions about the action that was to be taken. Chairman Sookram opened the public hearing. The applicants was not present. One individual spoke in favor ofthe proposal. Chairman Sookram closed the public hearing and asked for Planning Commission discussion. Commissioner Borisow made a motion to find this item in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.The motion was seconded by Commissioner Landholm. By a roll call vote, the motion carried 5-4 with Sayer, Nielsen, Borisow, Gifford and Bowen voting in favor and Carlson, Landholm, Horeis and Sookram voting nay Chairman Sookram read the item: An application by the Director of Planning for a Change of Zone from UR, Urban Residential to SC, Suburban Commercial property generally located on Drafted November 26, 2019 the west side of N. Clarkson St. between the hospital access road and 30th Street. The Director of Planning stated that she received a letter today regarding this agenda item. Commissioner Landholm made a motion to receive this item into the record, Commissioner Borisow seconded the motion. The motion carried 9-0. The Director of Planning summarized the letter which was from the property owners in support of this zoning change. The Planning Director then gave her staff report. Chairman Sookram opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Chairman Sookram closed the public hearing and asked for Planning Commission discussion. Motion by Commissioner Gifford and seconded by Commissioner Bowen to recommend approval of the Change of Zone. The motion was carried unanimously. Chairman Sookram read the item: An application by Hoppe & Son LLC for a Change of Zone from R, Rural to PD, Planned Development for the Bluestem Commons planned development to develop up to 290 multifamily dwelling units, 113 attached single family units consisting of duplex, triplex and row house designs along with commercial uses on property generally located at the southwest corner of Luther Road and County Road T. The Director of Planning stated she received a letter from Lyman-Richey Corporation for Planning Commission review. A motion was made by Nielsen and seconded by Horeis to receive the letter into record. The motion carried unanimously. Director of Planning, Dam, read her staff report. Chairman Sookram opened the public hearing. Jake and Fred Hoppe, the applicant, provided an overview and went over the plan as well as some of changes they made to the proposal in response to public comments. Eighteen people spoke regarding the proposal. Chairman Sookram closed the public hearing and asked for Planning Commission discussion. A motion was made by Commissioner Sawyer to recommend denial of this item, which was seconded by Commissioner Nielsen. By roll call vote, the motion to deny carried 5-4 with Sawyer, Nielsen, Sookram, Horeis and Carlson voting aye and Landholm, Borisow, Bowen and Gifford voting nay. Chairman Sookram called for a 10 minute break at 6:45. Chairman Sookram called the meeting back to order at 6:55. Chairman Sookram read the item: An application by Hoppe & Son LLC for the Bluestem Commons Preliminary Plat generally consisting of 5 multifamily residential lots, 2 commercial lots, 113 attached single family lots and 3 out lots on property generally located at the southwest corner of Luther Road and County Road T. Planning Director, Dam noted that this item was contingent upon approval of the Planned Development, which the Planning Commission just voted not to recommend to City Council. Chairman Sookram opened the public hearing. Jake and Fred Hoppe spoke as applicant. Chairman Sookram closed the public hearing and asked for Planning Commission discussion. Commissioner Landholm made a motion to recommend approval of the Bluestem Preliminary Plat which was seconded by Bowen. By roll call vote, the motion carried 5-4 with Landholm, Borisow, Bowen, Gifford and Carlson voting aye and Sawyer, Sookram, Nielsen and Horeis voting nay. Chairman Sookram read the item: An application by Hoppe & Son LLC for the Bluestem Commons Final Plat generally consisting of 2 out lots, 63 attached single family, and 3 multifamily lots generally on property generally located at the southwest corner of Luther Road and County Road T. The Planning Director presented her staff report. Chairman Sookram opened the public hearing. Fred Hoppe spoke as the applicant. Chairman Sookram closed the Drafted November 26, 2019 public hearing and asked for Planning Commission discussion. Commissioner Landholm made a motion to approve the Final Plat which was seconded by Commissioner Gifford. By roll count vote, the motion carried 5-4 with Landholm, Borisow, Bowen, Gifford and Carlson voting aye and Sawyer, Sookram, Nielsen and Horeis voting nay. Chairman Sookram read the item: A request by Jared Borisow to amend Section 11-920 of the City of Fremont UDC to amend the definitions of Front Yard, Side Yard, Street Side Yard and Rear Yard. Commissioner Borisow recused himself as he has a vested interest in this item. Commissioner Borisow left the room at 7:10 pm. Director of Planning, Dam, gave her staff report. Chairman Sookram opened the public hearing. Bo Borisow spoke as applicant. Chairman Sookram closed the public hearing and asked for Planning Commission discussion. Motion by Commissioner Landholm to approve this item and was seconded by Bowen. By roll call vote, the motion carried 8-0 with Borisow abstaining Commissioner Borisow reentered the room at 7:15. Chairman Sookram stated he would entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was moved by Commissioner Gifford and seconded by Commissioner Bowen to adjourn the meeting. A roll call vote showed all nine Commissioners voting aye. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:16 p.m. APPROVED _____________________________________ Dev Sookram, Chairman ATTEST ________________________________ Jennifer Dam, Director of Planning Drafted November 26, 2019