Planning Commission

MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE Spearfish Planning Commission TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017 - 3:00 PM The Spearfish Planning Commission met in regular session on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in the council chambers of Spearfish City Hall. Members present: Toby Bordewyk, Dan Green, Greg Kruskamp, Bob Meyer, Larry Vavruska and Barbara Zwetzig. Members absent: None. Also present: City Planner Jayna Watson and City Attorney Eric Davis. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bordewyk at 3:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Vavruska moved to approve the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of December 20, 2016 as presented. The motion was seconded by Kruskamp and passed unanimously. DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Bordewyk asked for any potential conflicts of interest to be identified. Meyer disclosed that he currently owns property located in a light/restrictive industrial zoning district but declared no conflict at this time. Bordewyk disclosed he is currently the president of the Spearfish Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Board of Directors which is directly involved in future development of the parcels available in the light/restrictive industrial zoning district. He declared no conflict at this time. 1. A Request to Amend the Light/Restrictive Industrial District zoning ordinance text regarding setbacks. Applicant: City of Spearfish. Location: All areas zoned Light/Restrictive Industrial. City Planner Jayna Watson presented an overview of the proposed zoning ordinance text amendment that would reduce side and rear setback requirements from twenty five feet (25’) to eight feet (8’) and delete the forty foot (40’) setback required for buildings with exterior walls taller than twenty feet (20’) in the Light/Restrictive Industrial zoning district. Watson’s staff report dated January 3, 2017 states the current setbacks are more restrictive than other commercial and residential zoning districts. The proposed change is primarily for economic development purposes and part of an overall Strategic Plan objective to remove regulatory barriers that might be inhibiting the potential for development. The proposed change is supported by the Spearfish Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). Watson responded to a question by Zwetzig stating there are thirty to thirty six (30-36) acres available in the industrial park. Meyer asked for specific examples of potential new development in the industrial park hindered by the existing setback requirements and questioned if the proposed change is necessary. Kruskamp requested staff provide visual renderings which compare the buildings in the industrial park built out using the current setbacks versus the proposed reduced setbacks. He supports economic development but not at the risk of creating something that was not intended. Kruskamp initiated discussion regarding proper procedure for zoning text amendments, seeking an explanation as to why the matter is on the city council agenda for tonight, which he described as “putting the cart before the horse”. Watson explained she Page 1 of 2 1/13/2017 1:50 PM  was merely seeking direction as to the council’s level of support in considering this zoning text amendment. City code states that zoning text amendments can be initiated by the planning commission or council. Kruskamp went on to describe his occasional frustration from time to time with the role of the Planning Commission in the decision making process. Zwetzig stated she does not want to see the industrial park consist of just buildings and building spaces which prompted discussion about what light industrial should look like in Spearfish, SD, with emphasis on the fact that much of this property is located right along the Interstate 90 corridor. Watson reminded the commission that the existing light/restrictive industrial district ordinance text imposes a limit of seventy five percent (75%) maximum lot coverage which is a controlling factor. Bordewyk said there nothing has happened with the available property in eight years and feels the text amendment is a step in the right direction. Vavruska also spoke in support of the proposed change. City Attorney Eric Davis mentioned there are also covenants on the property. Bordewyk acknowledged Joe Jorgensen in the audience, appearing in person, who prompted discussion on other properties zoned light/restrictive industrial in the city, aside from that in close proximity to the interstate. Watson used Pictrometry to display the various locations and, referred to the Fairgrounds Loop industrial property which would be exempt from city ordinance as this property is governed by setbacks imposed by Lawrence County, as per special action was taken by the council at the time of the annexation. Bordewyk requested staff provide a copy of the covenants. Following discussion regarding procedural matters pertaining to zoning ordinance text amendments, motion was made by Vavruska, seconded by Green and carried to set a public hearing for January 17, 2017 to consider a zoning ordinance text amendment to the Light/Restrictive Industrial District. 2. OTHER: Watson announced matters of interest at tonight’s council meeting during which Jim Hopewell is expected to be appointed to serve the remainder of the unexpired term of Ken Halsey on the planning commission. She reported the council is expected to set a public hearing for January 17, 2017, for Second Reading of Ordinance 1259 – a request for a change in zoning from agriculture (AG) to single family residential (R-1) for Tract C, McGuigan Ranch. 3. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the commission, Bordewyk adjourned the meeting at 3:43 p.m. Page 2 of 2 1/13/2017 1:50 PM