Planning Commission

November 6, 2018 7:00 p.m. Planning Department Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Margaret Wimborne, George Swaney, Gene Hicks, Joanne Denney, Natalie Black, Lindsey Romankiw. (6 present 5 votes). MEMBERS ABSENT: Julie Foster, George Morrison, Arnold Cantu, Brent Dixon, Darren Josephson. ALSO PRESENT: Planning Director, Brad Cramer, Assistant Planning Directors Brent McLane, Brian Stevens; and interested citizens. CALL TO ORDER: Margaret Wimborne called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and reviewed the public hearing procedure. CHANGES TO AGENDA: Romankiw moved to amend the Agenda to remove Item #3 do to an issue with the notification process, and reschedule that item for the December 4, 2018 meeting, Denney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. MINUTES: Black moved to approve the September 11, 2018 minutes, Hicks seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Black moved to approve the October 2, 2018 minutes, Swaney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Public Hearing(s): 1. CUP 18-008: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. Vehicle Washing Facility, Portion Lots 3- 5 Block 1 Television Park Add Div 1. Stevens presented the staff report, a part of the record. Black asked about landscaping along the east of the property and Stevens deferred to applicant because no buffering is required. Wimborne opened the public hearing. Applicant: Clint Boyle, Horrocks Engineering, 901 Pier View Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Boyle indicated that this site was before the Commission recently to remove the PT Overlay and the CUP is the next process. Boyle went over the layout of the wash facility including the 106’ tunnel and 18 vacuum stations. Boyle stated that on the east side of the property they will have a 15’ landscape buffer between the property line and the building. Boyle stated that one issue was access to 17th Street and they were urged to not have a new access to 17th Street, and the applicant had to acquire additional property to get the cross-access agreement that was needed to ensure access to the property. Boyle went over the plans to widen the drive to a 30’ wide drive isle and rebuilding the drive approach. Boyle voiced concern about staff’s recommendation to remove the existing curb cut in front of the Title Loan. Boyle explained that the owner of the Title Loan is a single member of the Entity that is building the carwash and the Title Loan still has a lease, so the ability to not remove the curb cut may not be feasible as they cannot disrupt the business for Title Loan Company. Boyle indicated that if the Title Loan Company doesn’t agree to the remove the drive approach, then they cannot move forward with the project. Boyle indicated that staff had indicated that they could likely put bond money up. Boyle is asking for some flexibility. Boyle indicated that 1 vehicle trip in the peak hour is generated from that curb cut. Hicks confirmed with Boyle that they have worked closely with the other business owners in the area that will be using the new drive isle. Black asked if a neighborhood meeting has been held. Boyle indicted that he did not have a formal neighborhood meeting but did talk with the residents at the last meeting for the rezone and discussed things informally and no one had an issue with the carwash. No one appeared in support or opposition. Wimborne closed the public hearing. Swaney indicated that the CUP is appropriate for the location and will be an improvement to the area. Swaney indicated that the concerns regarding the curb cut are valid concerns, but the application doesn’t include the title loan property. Swaney proposed that as part of the CUP they specify as a condition that when it is possible to remove the curb cut to the Title Loan company that the property owner will remove the access from 17th Street. Swaney discussed with Cramer about the length of time being 1 year that the Code gives the developer to start work on the project. Swaney also proposed that a condition be placed that the landscaping must be completed along with the project; and impose a restriction on the hours of operation. Stevens indicated that the City can require this as a bond so at the time that the lase expires or there is a change in use, then the curb cut would be required. Stevens added that the car wash would be open no longer than 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wimborne opened the public hearing. Applicant: Clint Boyle, 901 Pier View Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Boyle indicated that 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. is consistent with the PT Overlay provided for. Boyle indicated that summer hours will likely be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and winter hours will be more restricted. Wimborne closed the public hearing. Black thought residents would appear in opposition to this carwash. Black indicated that she is opposed to a carwash near residential and is concerned about the noise for the office building directly adjacent to the business. Swaney moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit for Vehicle Washing Facility as presented with the following stipulation/conditions: 1. Hours of operation are limited to 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.; 2. Development is started within one year per code or the CUP expires, and if the business ends operations then after one year of it being closed the CUP is revoked; 3. Landscaping requirements will be completed at the time the vehicle washing facility is built; 4. Bond will be provided to ensure the existing curb cuts will be removed along 17th Street in front of the Title Loan business at the earliest ability of the applicant; Denney seconded the motion and it passed 4-1. Black opposed the motion, as she does not believe a car wash should be near residential areas. 2. CUP 18-009: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. Vehicle Washing Facility N ½ NW ¼ Section 36, T2N R 37. Stevens presented the staff report, a part of the record. Hicks voiced concern about traffic accidents because of the busy nature of the intersection. Wimborne opened the public hearing. Applicant: Clint Boyle Horrocks Engineers, 901 Pier View Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Boyle reviewed the drive approaches that have been approved by ITD, and the approaches that will be removed and/or moved. Boyle indicated that they are sensitive to the multi-family use in the area and they will provide buffers as required and shown on their plan. Boyle indicated that they will provide a pedestrian access into the office area of the site off of Sunnyside so they can utilize the 10’ set back. Boyle reviewed the plans for landscaping the ITD right of way. Boyle indicated that this car wash will have more pay stations than any car wash in town and will be able to stack and funnel cars with the 4 lanes to stack 30 cars. Swaney asked about the 8’ Masonry wall that staff recommended and whether that will present a problem for the applicant. Boyle indicated that the fence or wall is per code, and if there is a benefit from the masonry they can look into that, and asked staff for the reason behind the recommendation. Stevens indicated that the masonry wall is a better sound deflector than an opaque fence. Boyle indicated that he has done a lot of research pertaining to sound deadening fencing, and there are a lot of options that will significantly reduce the sound. Boyle indicated that the fence at Sand Creek Commons in Ammon is not masonry block but has the same characteristics of sound reduction. Boyle asked that they be allowed to utilize other alternatives that are acceptable to the City for noise reduction. Hicks indicated that he is still concerned about traffic accidents entering and exiting the facility. Boyle explained that Maverick generates as much or more traffic as a car wash that has closer approaches to the intersection. Boyle indicated that the approaches for that intersection are allowed with a caveat that at any point the State can go in and put a median in and restrict access to right in and right out. Boyle indicated that hours of operation are 6 am to 11 p.m. Support: Travis Benson, 3410 Sycamore, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Benson urged the Commission to consider that the property directly to the south of the bar piece of property is a commercial property and any fencing along that border should be considered and if a fence is required, do not make the same requirements that the fence adjacent to the residential would have. Steven Frei, 4071 N 5th West, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Frei is a commercial real estate broker. Frei indicated that this property is interesting and has some challenges because it is narrow, so potential uses are limited, but this use is well suited for the size of the lot and the area. Frei indicated that this development will be a big improvement for this part of town. No one appeared in opposition. Wimborne closed the public hearing. Black believes this is a great spot for a car wash with the exception of the multi-family residential that is near. Black would urge developers to look for places to build apartments. Swaney believes that the CUP will need to have a condition that the southern boundary of the property have an 8’ masonry wall, or equivalent in sound deadening properties; and the portion along the commercial section the developer work with the other commercial property owner to adjust the size and configuration of the fence to not adversely impact the other commercial business. Hicks asked if the CUP can have requirements to right in and right out. Wimborne indicated that both freeways are governed by ITD as they are State Highways. Cramer concurred with Wimborne that they have no control of that roadway and there cannot be a requirement placed. Wimborne indicated that the applicant has worked closely with ITD and the engineers will not create safety hazards. Swaney moved to approve the CUP for Vehicle Washing Facility as presented with the following stipulations/conditions: 1. Hours of operation are limited to 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.; 2. 8’ Wall with equivalent sound deadening properties of a masonry wall; 3. Wall adjacent to the commercial property along Yellowstone will be cooperatively arranged and configured to not adversely impact the adjacent property owner; 4. Landscaping requirements will be completed along with the Vehicle washing facility. Romankiw seconded the motion and it passed 4-1. Black opposed the motion as she does not believe a car wash should be next to residential. 4. RZON 18-019: REZONE Amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. McLane presented the staff report, a part of the record. There was general discussion pertaining to definitions of storage yards, storage facility (indoor and outdoor); setback requirements when extending past 24’ high in any zone that allows multi-family uses. There was some discussion regarding weed cases and enforcement. Black moved to recommend to the Mayor and City Council approval of the Amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance with minor adjustments as indicated to staff, Hicks seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Business: None. Miscellaneous: None. Wimborne adjourned the meeting. Respectfully Submitted Beckie Thompson, Recorder