Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MEETING Ottawa City Hall – 101 S. Hickory Street Thursday, February 23, 2023 – Noon If you need this information in another format or require a reasonable accommodation to attend this meeting, contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 785-229-3621. Please provide advance notice at least two (2) working days. TYY users please call 711. Accessing Zoom Meeting on February 23, 2023 Copy and paste the following link to your address bar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85326363740; The Password is 059146. You may use your phone for audio if you do not have a microphone plugged into your computer. To dial into the meeting please use any of the following phone numbers: 1-312-626-6799; 1-408-638-0968; 1-699-900-6833; 1-646-876-9923. Call to Order: Roll Call: Elmer[ ] Kane[ ] VC-Wenyika[ ] Manes[ ] C-Lantis[ ] Staresinic-Deane[ ] Crowley[ ] Declaration: At this time, I would like to ask the Planning Commission Members to make a declaration of any conflict of interest or of any Ex parte or outside communication that might influence their ability to hear all sides on any item on the agenda so they might come to a fair decision. Minutes: 1. Discuss any changes needed to the February 8, 2023 meeting minutes. Make a motion to accept or deny the February 8, 2023 meeting minutes: Motion: Elmer[ ] Kane[ ] VC-Wenyika[ ] Manes[ ] C-Lantis[ ] Staresinic-Deane[ ] Crowley[ ] Second: Elmer[ ] Kane[ ] VC-Wenyika[ ] Manes[ ] C-Lantis[ ] Staresinic-Deane[ ] Crowley[ ] Vote: Elmer[ ] Kane[ ] VC-Wenyika[ ] Manes[ ] C-Lantis[ ] Staresinic-Deane[ ] Crowley[ ] Commissioner Comments: New Business: 1. 901 S. Cherry Rezone from R-1 to R-3 – Raymond Love Old Business: Announcements: 1. The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting will be Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 7 p.m. 1  2. The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission Study Session meeting will be Thursday, March 30, 2023 at noon. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn: Seconded: Vote: 2  DRAFT – NOT FINAL UNTIL APPROVED City Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Ottawa, Kansas Minutes of February 8, 2023 Chairperson Lantis called the meeting to order. The City Planning Commission met at 7:00 p.m. on this date with the following members present and participating: Members Manes, Crowley, Staresinic-Deane, Elmer, and C-Lantis. Member Kane participated via Zoom. VC-Wenyika was absent. City of Ottawa staff Jenna Hillyer, Melanie Landis, and Betsy Carlson were present. Public Comments: None received Declaration: C-Lantis asked the Planning Commission members to make a declaration of any conflict of interest or of any Ex parte or outside communication that might influence their ability to hear all sides on any item on the agenda, so they might come to a fair decision. Member Staresinic-Deane stated the party involved with the King Street project is also involved with the historical society. Consent Agenda: Discuss any changes needed to the January 26, 2023 study session minutes. Member Crowley made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by member Manes. All voted aye. Public Hearings: 1. Amendment to Fence Regulations Regarding Fences in Utility Easements Jenna Hillyer, City Planner, gave a presentation. She stated staff is recommending prohibiting building fences in utility easements, while allowing exceptions under unusual circumstances. C-Lantis opened the floor for public comments. There were none. Commissioner Discussion Member Elmer requested utilities on future development be moved to the public street right-of-way. C-Lantis opened the floor for public comments. There were none. Dennis Tharp, Utilities Director, had no comment. C-Lantis closed the public hearing at 7:04 P.M. Member Kane made a motion to recommend the City Commission approve the Amendment to Article 24, Section 7 of the Subdivision Regulations. The motion was seconded by Member Crowley. All voted aye. 3  2. 226 W. 23rd St., OakStar Bank, Minor Replat of Lot 4 and a part of Lot 5 of ABK Addition C-Lantis opened the public hearing at 7:05 P.M. Ms. Hillyer gave a presentation. She stated OakStar bank would like to combine one parcel with part of another and dedicate an additional 10’ right-of-way on W. 23rd St. Casey Colbern, Developer Representative, joined via Zoom. He stated they want to clean up the plat that would otherwise be unbuildable. C-Lantis opened the floor for public comments. There were none. C-Lantis closed the public hearing at 7:08 P.M. Commissioner Discussion Member Staresinic-Deane made a motion to approve the minor replat of Lot 4 and part of Lot 5 of ABK Addition. The motion was seconded by Member Manes. All voted aye. 3. 1004 S. Walnut Conditional Use Permit C-Lantis opened the public hearing at 7:08 P.M. Ms. Hillyer gave a presentation. She stated this will allow for a duplex in an R-1 District on a currently vacant lot. C-Lantis asked the applicant, Slade Vandeventer, if he had any comments. Mr. Vandeventer stated he can answer any questions. C-Lantis opened the floor for public comments. There were none. C-Lantis closed the public hearing at 7:10 P.M. Commissioner Discussion Member Elmer stated she questions the condition as it is already a requirement. C-Lantis stated we need to change the parking regulations to require more parking for so many cars in a condensed area. Member Crowley made a motion to recommend the City Commission approve the Conditional Use Permit at 1004 S. Walnut St. The motion was seconded by Member Manes. All voted aye. 4. 916 S. Walnut Conditional Use Permit C-Lantis opened the public hearing at 7:13 P.M. Ms. Hillyer gave a presentation. She stated this will allow for a duplex in an R-1 District on a currently vacant lot. C-Lantis asked the applicant, Raymond Love, if he had any comments. 4 Mr. Love stated he can answer any questions. C-Lantis opened the floor for public comments. There were none in person, but a written comment was submitted prior to the meeting from Olive Bickerstaff, 920 S. Walnut. She is concerned with stormwater and flooding when the area is covered. C-Lantis closed the public hearing at 7:15 P.M. Commissioner Discussion Member Staresinic-Deane asked if this is the same property in which sidewalks were discussed previously. Ms. Hillyer stated there is no provision that would require the applicant to install a sidewalk. Member Elmer stated, to address Ms. Bickerstaff’s concern, there is a provision in the property maintenance section that does not allow water to create a public nuisance. Member Crowley asked the applicant what he plans to do with the stormwater. Mr. Love stated the lot size is so large that water can be dispersed at the back and the front. Member Elmer stated her concern that there is not really a condition as these regulations are already in place even if this was a single family. Member Crowley made a motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit at 916 S. Walnut Street. The motion was seconded by Member Elmer. All voted aye. 5. 634 N. King Rezone from I-2, Heavy Industrial District to MU/RC, Mixed Use/Residential- Commercial District C-Lantis opened the public hearing at 7:22 P.M. Ms. Hillyer gave a presentation. She stated the applicant wishes to rezone the property from I-2 to MU/CR. It was formerly a Warner Fence Manufacturing building. The applicant intends to restore the building and repurpose the current office space to residential space and the former factory area into a garage. C-Lantis asked the applicant, Richard Deitz, if he had any comments. Dr. Deitz stated he can answer any questions. C-Lantis opened the floor for public comments. There were none. C-Lantis closed the public hearing at 7:24 P.M. Commissioner Discussion Member Staresinic-Deane stated she is in favor of the building finding a new use. Member Elmer stated her concern that this is a spot zone and may result in future spot zoning. Member Kane stated his support for the project. 5 Member Kane made a motion to recommend the City Commission approve the Rezone at 634 N. King St. The motion was seconded by Member Crowley. Member Elmer voted nay; all other votes were aye. The motion passed with a 5-1 vote. 6. 3292 Wildcat Drive & 2324 E. Logan St. Vacation of Utility Easement C-Lantis opened the public hearing at 7:28 P.M. Ms. Hillyer gave a presentation. She stated the applicant is requesting a vacation of the utility easement. C-Lantis asked the applicant, Nick Ford, if he had any comments. Mr. Ford stated KCPL Rural Water District had an easement go through there. They both signed off on it and released everything. C-Lantis opened the floor for public comments. There were none. C-Lantis closed the public hearing at 7:30 P.M. Commissioner Discussion Member Elmer stated it’s a good idea to clean up problems to prevent future issues. Dennis Tharp, Acting Public Works Director, had no comment. Member Elmer made a motion to recommend the City Commission approve the vacation of utility easement at 3292 Wildcat Dr. & 2324 E. Logan St. The motion was seconded by Member Crowley. All voted aye. Old Business: 1. Request by Underwood Equipment, Inc. to Amend Dimensional Standards for Billboard Signs C-Lantis stated the staff has no recommendations from staff tonight, so he requested Ms. Hillyer to put this item back on the next study session agenda. New Business: Mr. Ford asked when his project becomes final. Melanie Landis, Finance Director and Acting Community Development Director, stated it would go on the City Commission’s study session two Monday’s from now. This would fall on the March 1, 2023 regular meeting for consideration. Announcements: 1. The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission Study Session meeting will be Thursday, February 23, 2023 at noon. 2. The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting will be Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 7 P.M. 6 Adjournment: Member Crowley made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by member Elmer. The motion was considered, and all voted aye. Respectfully submitted, Betsy Carlson Administrative Assistant II 7  STAFF MEMO TO: Ottawa Planning Commission FROM: Community Development Staff MEETING DATE: Study Session: February 23, Regular Meeting: March 8, 2023 SUBJECT: Rezone application for 901 S Cherry Raymond Love has applied to rezone property from R-1, HO-O Low Density Residential, Housing Opportunity Overlay District to R-3, High Density Residential District at 901 S Cherry Street. The subject site is a 5.7-acre tract on the east side of S Cherry Street bounded on the north by E 9th Street, on the south by E 10th Street, and on the east by S Burrough Street. The site is currently undeveloped land. The applicant intends to construct apartment complex in conjunction with Ottawa University to alleviate some of the shortage of student housing and to provide the community with additional housing. This tract of land is not contributing to the neighborhood in its current state or use. The surrounding area is a mixture of Low Density Residential (R-1), Medium Density Residential (R-2), Mobile Home Park (MP), Manufactured Home Subdivision (MHS) Districts. The applicant believes that the change of zoning will not interfere with the current residential uses of the area and will add value to the surrounding community by developing the tract of vacant land. Recommendations: Staff recommends approving the rezone at the Regular Planning Commission meeting on March 8th, 2023. Attached: Vicinity Map Zoning Map Site Plan Letter of Support from Ottawa University 8 901 S Cherry Street Vicinity Map 9 901 S Cherry Street Zoning Map 10 11