Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 20, 2020 5:00 o’clock p.m. Meeting Chairman Dev Sookram called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. He stated that 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, Sawyer, Carlson, Gifford, Horeis, and Nielsen present; Bowen was absent. Eight 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. None of the commissioners disclosed any ex parte contacts. Chairman Sookram read the item: dispense with the reading of the minutes of the December 16th, 2019 Planning Commission meeting as prepared into the record. Gifford noted that Sawyer’s name was misspelled “Sayer” at one point in the minutes. He moved to approve the minutes with the correction of the spelling of “Sawyer”. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Landholm. A roll call vote showed Sookram, Landholm, Borisow, Sawyer, Carlson, Gifford, Horeis, and Nielsen voting aye. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Sookram read the item: An application by Mesner Development Company for a Preliminary Plat consisting of 20 residential lots on property generally located on the south side of 29th Street, east of Fountain Springs Drive. Commissioner Gifford declared that he would abstain from voting since he is on the Board of the Fremont Housing Authority. Commissioner Gifford left the room. Chairman Sookram opened the public hearing. Stan Darling, Chairman of the Fremont Housing Authority, spoke in favor of the project. He stated that it would be the first of two phases serving the age 55+ community. It would be income based. Kelby Herman, general contractor with Progressive Builders spoke on behalf of the applicant. Commissioner Borisow made a motion to approve the preliminary plat with the conditions that were listed in the staff report, which was seconded by Commissioner Sawyer. By roll call vote, Commissioners Landholm, Borisow, Carlson, Sawyer, Sookram, Nielsen and Horeis all voted aye and Gifford abstained. The motion carried 7-0 with one abstention.. Chairman Sookram read the item: An application by Mesner Development Company for a Final Plat consisting of 20 residential lots on property generally located on the south side of 29th Street, east of Fountain Springs Drive. Chairman Sookram opened the public hearing. No one spoke on the matter. Chairman Sookram closed the public hearing and asked for Planning Commission discussion. Commissioner Horeis moved approval of the final plat, which was seconded by Commissioner Carlson. By roll call vote, Commissioners Landholm, Borisow, Carlson, Sawyer, Sookram, Nielsen and Horeis all voted aye and Gifford abstained. The motion carried 7-0 with one abstention. Commissioner Gifford reentered the room at 5:16 p.m. Chairman Sookram read the item: Elect a Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Landholm nominated Dev Sookram for another term as Chair, Commissioner Gifford seconded the motion. Chairman Sookram recused himself from voting. By roll call vote, Landholm, Borisow, Carlson, Sawyer, Nielsen, Horeis and Gifford all voted aye and Sookram abstained. The motion carried 7-0 with one abstention. Chairman Sookram asked for a motion to elect a Vice Chair. Commissioner nominated Marty Gifford for another term as Vice Chair, Commissioner Horeis seconded the motion. By roll call vote, Landholm, Borisow, Carlson, Sawyer, Sookram, Nielsen and Horeis all voted aye; Gifford abstained. The motion carried 7-0 with one abstention. Chairman Sookram read the item: Discussion regarding items to address in update of Comprehensive Plan. Planning Director Dam stated that she was working on the RFP plan and mentioned that money is also available for a transportation plan. Dam asked the commissioners if there were any specific areas they thought needed to be included in the request. Land use, lot size, and landscaping were all brought up. Dam asked if more ideas came up, to email them to her. Chairman Sookram read the item: Discussion regarding items to address in update of UDC. Director of Planning, Dam, asked for input on items that may need addressed in the update of the UDC. Design guidelines were brought up as a possible area to address. Chairman Sookram stated he would entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was moved by Commissioner Horeis and seconded by Commissioner Landholm to adjourn the meeting. By roll call vote, Landholm, Borisow, Carlson, Sawyer, Sookram, Nielsen, Horeis and Gifford all voting aye. The motion carried 8-0. Meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:35 p.m. APPROVED _____________________________________ Dev Sookram, Chairman ATTEST ________________________________ Jennifer Dam, Director of Planning