Planning Commission

August 1, 2017 7:00 p.m. Planning Department Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners, Brent Dixon, George Morrison, Arnold Cantu, George Swaney, Gene Hicks, Joanne Denney. MEMBERS ABSENT: Lindsey Romankiw, Darren Josephson, Margaret Wimborne, Natalie Black, Julie Foster. ALSO PRESENT: Planning Director, Brad Cramer, Assistant Planning Director, Kerry Beutler, Brent McLane, Brian Stevens and interested citizens. CALL TO ORDER: Dixon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and reviewed the public hearing procedure. CHANGES TO AGENDA: None. Minutes: Swaney moved to approve the minutes for July 11, 2017, Morrison seconded the motion and it passed. Public Hearings: 1. CUP 17-007: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. Dora Erickson Electronic Message Center. Stevens presented the staff report, a part of the record. Stevens indicated that there is an error in the staff report and the applicant should be Signature Signs, not Sign Pro. Dixon opened the public hearing. Applicant: Brian Tallman, 2615 Stafford, Ammon, Idaho. Dixon asked about dimming capability during evening. Tallman indicated that within the software you can dim the sign at night. Dixon asked about ensuring that the image is not streaming video or changing too frequently. Tallman indicated that there is a paper that the Principal of Dora Erickson must sign and is given to City Staff when Tallman submits the sign permit. Tallman indicated that he has given the Principal the 2 pages from the sign code that indicate all the parameters for signage. Dixon asked and Tallman confirmed that there is a software option that supports the rules. Hicks asked if the sign can be hacked. Tallman stated that this sign will be direct connected into the school by CAT 6 line, so they would have to get into the school’s system to put messages on the sign. No one appeared in support or opposition. Dixon closed the public hearing. Swaney indicated that the applicant and staff are getting good at the presentation for the CUP for school signage and things are covered completely. Swaney commended the staff and applicant for a job well done. Morrison moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit for LED Message Center for Dora Erickson Elementary as presented, Cantu seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Morrison moved to approve the Reasoned Statement of Relevant Criteria and Standards, Hicks seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 2. RZON 17-006: REZONE. PB- Professional Business to R-1 Single-Unit Residential. McLane presented the staff report, a part of the record. Dixon asked the difference between the current rezone request to R-1 versus the previous request. McLane indicated that R-1 allows for attached and detached single family homes. Dixon indicated that there is detached single family on the south and west and nearby is attached single family. Dixon asked and McLane confirmed there are two access points to the property. Hicks asked and McLane confirmed that the area in tan is County property. Dixon asked McLane to give a summary of the last proposal on the property. McLane indicated that the last proposal was for a PUD for a higher density development. McLane indicated that there was a lot of neighbors that appeared in opposition to the PUD. McLane indicated that the application never proceeded beyond the Planning and Zoning meeting. Dixon asked and McLane confirmed that all the land around this lot is fully developed. Hicks asked what the objection was to the PUD. McLane indicated it was increased traffic. Hicks asked if this rezone will result in lower density. McLane indicated that the R-1 zone has a 6,000-sq. ft. lot requirement, so it depends on how big they develop the lots and it is considered a low- density zone. Dixon opened the public hearing. Applicant: No applicant was present. Support: Warren Harris, 1689 Shady Pines, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Harris indicated that he is the President of the HOA for the neighborhood. Harris indicated that the neighborhood is in favor of the rezone to R-1 and bringing the new development into the neighborhood. Swaney asked if the HOA will expand to include the area. Harris indicated that the area is already included in the covenants. No one appeared in opposition. Dixon closed the public hearing. Morrison indicated that this rezone is a good fit for the area and he is in favor of the approval. Swaney indicated that this application is a major improvement from the last proposal for this area. Swaney indicated that the rezone will fit in with the community and environment. Dixon stated that traffic was an issue last time and higher density should be at the edge of neighborhoods along collectors or arterials. Morrison moved to recommend to the Mayor and City Council approval of the Rezone from PB to R-1 for M&B 12.183 Acres, SE ¼, NW ¼, Section 33, T 2N, R 38 E., as presented, Denney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Business: 1. PLAT 16-004: FINAL PLAT. Ivywood Subdivision, Division 1. Beutler presented the staff report, a part of the record. Morrison asked about the duration of the project. Beutler deferred to the applicant for a time frame. Dixon asked if the area is a County node for potential commercial development at the intersection. Beutler indicated that it is a County node designated for mixed use. Dixon asked if there is a provision for a bike/walking path. Beutler indicated that it is not included in the Connecting Our Communities Plan. Beutler stated that York will be developed as an arterial and will have pathways and sidewalks. Dixon asked if they wanted to put a pathway will the shortening of the common lot prevent the pathway. Beutler stated that typically the pathway will go in the right-of-way and so they would get enough right- of-way to accommodate the needs, and the common lots are outside of the right-of-way. Applicant: Cameron Brink, Horrocks Engineering, 901 Pier View Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Brink stated that the German canal runs through the center of the property and it needs to be moved. Brink stated that the original plan was to reroute the canal down 5th West, and now they are going to reroute the German Canal to the west into the Gustafson Canal for the length of the property and then the canal will split at the south end of the property. Swaney moved to recommend to the Mayor and City Council approval of the Final Plat for Ivywood Subdivision, Division 1, as presented, Cantu seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 2. Zoning Ordinance Discussion. Swaney needed to leave the meeting, which would leave the Commission without a quorum. Prior to Swaney leaving, Cramer indicated that they planned on doing an introductory work session on the revised ordinance to get into the finer details of the Ordinance. Cramer stated that they wanted to talk about some of the zones, and features of the commercial zones, such as encouraging buildings to have a better connection with the streets, home occupations, parking issues, such as the system of parking credits. Cramer asked the Commissioners what their preferred option is instead of continuing tonight. Cramer offered to record the Power Point presentation and email the presentation to the Commissioners and they can email comments to staff. Cramer stated that they would like to have the Zoning Ordinance through Planning and Zoning and City Council before the end of 2017. Cramer stated that they need to have a public hearing with Planning and Zoning in October to reach that goal in 2017. Cramer stated that they need to figure out how to have another work session and asked if the Commissioners wanted: a morning work session; schedule a special meeting; have a work session with only Planning and Zoning Commissioners; or jointly with City Council. Morrison indicated he is in favor of a morning work session as well as sending the presentation via email. Hicks asked what is difference between the presentation and the packet. Cramer stated that the presentation would explain what is in the packet and what changes were made and why. Morrison asked Cramer to introduce Diane Kushlan. Cramer stated that Diane Kushlan with Kushlan and Associates was hired to help staff through the process. Cramer stated that they went through each zone and addressed an issue in all zones (i.e. setbacks), and then they go back and address another issue in all the zones (i.e. uses), and they go through this system repeatedly. Kushlan has kept them organized and provided best practices. Cramer indicated that there was a steering committee that includes George Morrison and as many users of the code as they could gather, including Ball Ventures (Commercial Developer), a residential developer, Kurt Karst (architect), designer from Horrocks Engineering, and Brent Wilson (Commercial Realtor). Cramer stated that heavy users of the code have been very involved and have met regularly. Dixon asked the Commissioners their preference to proceed with a work session. Swaney indicated that a breakfast meeting on a Friday would be preferred. Dixon indicated that he has every other Friday off, including this coming Friday. Hicks indicated that he read the Code . Denney agreed that a link to the presentation and power point to give them a feel for the Code, and then have a breakfast work session. Cantu agreed with the other commissioners. Dixon asked how the Zoning Ordinance relates to the other approach for the Downtown Plan. Cramer stated that the approach is similar in that the Downtown Code is tied to the Downtown Plan and this Code is tied to the Comprehensive Plan. Cramer stated that this is a traditional code, and not a form based code like the Downtown Code. Dixon asked if this Code is consistent with the Downtown Code for the Downtown area. Cramer stated the Downtown Code will be adopted as a separate item and is adopted by reference. Cramer stated that on a zoning map you would see an area that says please refer to the Form Based Code. Cramer reminded the Commissioners that August 16, 2017 is the public hearing for the Area of Impact at 6:30 p.m. Dixon Adjourned the meeting. Respectfully Submitted Beckie Thompson, Recorder