Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES May 2, 2024 @ 5:30 p.m. The Planning Commission held a meeting on Thursday May 2, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Commissioners Present Wendell Miller, Chairperson Don Jacimore, Vice-Chairperson Cody Black John Choate Luke Duffield Cheryl Monfee Larry Smith Eric Westcott, City Council Liaison Commissioners Absent Justin Cothren Shirley Hatley Visitors: City Planner Sara Jondahl, Planner I Victoria Marchant, Emily Neally, David Garza Welcome Visitors The First Order of Business is a request to review and approve the minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting April 4, 2024. Commissioner Choate motioned to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Black and passed unanimously. The Second Order of Business is a Planning Presentation by a local Homeschool Group. City Planner Jondahl gave a presentation describing the Planning Commission. Emily Neally, Home School Outreach Programmer for the Pope County Library System, gave a presentation on her program. The Third Order of Business is a Special Use Permit located at 1409 S Knoxville Ave. Submitted by Victor Melchor. (SPUP-0324-000499) Planner I Marchant stated that this property includes a building that has recently become a car lot. She stated that the building was previously utilized as the Carpenter Training Facility. She stated that the applicant was not aware that their business required a Special Use Permit when they began business activities at the property. She stated that the property is located adjacent to an auto body shop, a veterinary clinic, miscellaneous retail stores, and a mini storage facility. She stated that this property and all surrounding properties are zoned C2 Highway Commercial. Planner I Marchant stated that the applicant is not proposing any real changes to the site. She stated that the building is not undergoing any changes that would trigger many standards in the Russellville Zoning Code including sidewalks, landscaping or commercial building design. She stated that the applicant is proposing hard surface parking spaces that shall include 1 ADA spot. Shestated that Article 6.1.1 (5) addresses parking for non-residential uses. She stated tha the applicant shall complete a parking analysis to confirm that adequate parking will be provided and striped prior to building permit issuance. She stated that Article 6.7.1 (2) addresses screening for vehicle storage areas. She stated that the applicant's inventory parking area is currently gravel which requires screening, and the applicant has provided mesh screening on the fence to hide the gravel area from public view. Staff recommends approval of this special use permit with the following conditions: Prior to business license issuance: 1. Applicant shall stripe proposed parking; and 2. Applicant shall complete a parking analysis As a result of the findings below: 1. The applicant demonstrates compliance with the regulations within Article 2.10 of the Russellville Zoning Code; and 2. The proposed use is in line with the adjacent use i thai district; and 3. Current traffic routes are constructed in such a way to handle the traffic from the business. Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the application. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Monfee and passed unanimously. The Fourth Order of Business is a Vacation of Right-of-Way located at 1140-1144 East Gum St. Submitted by Barrett & Associates on behalf of Todd Barnett. (VAC-0424-000506) City Planner Jondahl stated that this is a vacation of ROW in the Ray Lee Jr’s 4th Addition, also known as Magnolia Ridge. She stated that the existing conditions are that this is currently being developed as two single family homes. She stated that it is zoned R2-S Medium Density Residential. She stated that properties east and west are zoned R-1, south are R2-S, and north are within the county. She stated that this is primarily a mixed residential community with single family and duplex dwellings. City Planner Jondahl stated that when reviewing a vacation of ROW, there are three things to consider. She stated that the first is what is the impact of the proposed vacation upon the public trust functions of the ROW and does the vacation impair circulation, access, utilities, open space, and/or views? City Planner Jondahl stated that no, this proposal seeks to vacate a ROW that had been platted in the 90’s, re-platted in 2007 without vacating the right-of-way. She stated that with the right-of-way never being opened, new building permits being requested, staff recommended to go through the vacation process. She stated that easements are being retained for the overhead transmission lines, the water line, and for the sewer line. City Planner Jondahl stated that the second thing to consider is what are the land use impacts regarding the vacation of ROW. City Planner Jondahl stated that the property owner has development rights over this portion of the property allowing them to re-plat the property and construction two single family homes, currently under construction outside of the platted right-of-way. City Planner Jondahl stated that the third thing to consider is what public benefit is received by vacating the Right-of-way. City Planner Jondahl stated that the public benefit is that the property is returned to the adjacent property owners, thereby transferring all maintenance responsibilities to them. Forward this application to City Council with a recommendation of approval to vacate both fifty (50) foot Right-of-Ways for Mt. View Street and East Fir Street as identified in the application and o the Magnolia Ridge RW Closure map as a result of the findings below: 1. There is not an impact to the Public Trust, Land Use Impacts, and no adverse effects to the Public Benefit; and 2. Easements for Electric Transmission Line, Water Line, and Sewer lines are retained; and 3. No objections received at the time of the report by any other utility company. Commissioner Hatley asked City Planner Jondahl if this application was just a formality since permits have already been granted. City Planner Jondahl stated that it is a formality however the permits that were issued were outside of the ROW and still meet the setback requirements. Commissioner Black made a motion to approve the application. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith and passed unanimously. Meeting Adjourned _______________________ Chairperson