City Plan Commission

CITY OF MONROE CITY PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026 TIME: 5:00 PM PLACE: CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 1110 18TH AVE A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Mayor called the Plan Commission meeting to order on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Present at roll call were Mayor Miller, Alder Matt Shaeffer, Ron Spielman, Dave Wartenweiler, Jesse Duff, Louis Armstrong, and Ron Markham. B. CORRECTION OF MINUTES - APRIL 8, 2026 The April 8, 2026 minutes were accepted as presented. C. BUSINESS 1. Hold Public Hearing and Possible Recommendation to Common Council Regarding Zoning Text Amendment to City of Monroe MR-15 Residential Zoning District to Relax Restrictions on Number of Units per Multi-Family Building by Right Public hearing was held; no one appeared or spoke, and the hearing was closed. Administrator Rindy provided a brief overview of the proposed ordinance changes A motion was made by Dave Wartenweiler, seconded by Matt Sheaffer, to approve and recommend to the Council Council. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Hold Public Hearing and Possible Recommendation to Common Council Regarding City of Monroe Zoning Text Amendments Regarding Parking Requirements in NMU, MR-15 and MR-30 Zoning Districts Public hearing was held; no one appeared or spoke, and the hearing was closed. Administrator Rindy provided a brief overview of the proposed ordinance changes A motion was made by Louis Armstrong, seconded by Dave Wartenweiler, to approve and recommend to the Council Council. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Discussion and Possible Recommendation Action Regarding Zoning Text Amendment for Signs in the Historic Preservation Overlay (HP-O)  Administrator Rindy led discussion and provided an overview of the proposed ordinance changes. Shannon from Vandewalle & Associates presented potential sign text amendments related to the sign and zoning code. Discussion focused on allowing historic character signs within the HP-O District when replicating a sign that previously existed on the property. Shannon asked whether the Plan Commission would like to move forward with the amendment and whether the use should require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). It was noted that applications would also be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission. Under the proposal, both the Plan Commission and Historic Preservation Commission would review and approve the project. Discussion centered on whether the Commission wanted these requests to come before them with or without a CUP requirement. Ultimately, the consensus of the Commission was that the requests should require a CUP and come before the Plan Commission for approval. 4. Discussion and Possible Recommendation to Common Council Regarding Landscape Surface Ration (LSR) in the Light Industrial (LI) Zone District Administrator Rindy led discussion and provided an overview of the proposed ordinance changes. She also reviewed the identified error in the code and noted that the required LSR would be 20%. 5. Discussion and Possible Action Related to Zoning Code Text Amendments to Allow Drive-Thru Services in the CMU District Administrator Rindy led discussion and provided an overview of the proposed ordinance changes. Shannon from Vandewalle & Associates presented information regarding drive-thru uses in the downtown area and reviewed a list of considerations for potential code changes. Recommendations included allowing drive-thrus as an accessory use and establishing conditional use standards. Discussion included lighting height and the extent of lighting, as well as possible language changes regarding egress-only traffic patterns and limiting pedestrian crossings. It was noted that the current code already allows the Department of Public Works to approve curb cutouts and traffic patterns. There was discussion both in favor of and against allowing additional drive-thrus within the CMU district. Following debate, the consensus of the Commission was that no additional drive-thrus should be permitted in the CMU district. A motion was made by Louis Armstrong, seconded by Ron Markham, to prohibit any additional drive-thrus within the CMU district. The motion passed 5-2, with Matt Sheaffer and Ron Spielman voting no. 6. Discussion and Possible Recommendation to Common Council the Approval of the Certified Survey Map for Ben Voss at 1423 21st Street  Administrator Rindy provided an overview of the proposal to create a zero-lot- line style concept by splitting the property into two lots. Al Gerber noted that the water and sewer services would be separated and that the proposal meets all applicable building codes. A motion was made by Dave Wartenweiler, seconded by Matt Sheaffer, to approve and recommend to the Council Council the CSM from 1423 & 1423 1st Street. The motion passed unanimously. D. BUSINESS PRESENTED BY MEMBERS E. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Jesse Duff, seconded by Matt Sheaffer to adjourn at 6:22 PM. Motion passed by unanimous vote. This Commission may take any ac tion it considers appropriate related to any item on this agenda.