Planning Commission

10/8/2020 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Mike O’Brien, Chair; Amy Houghton, Vice-Chair; Terry Zigmund, Secretary; Abby Bleything; Joe Perron; Sarah van Ryckevorsel; Tommie Murray City Staff Present: Eric Vorwald Guests Present: Kristine Lott, Mayor; Doug Weston Call to Order by: Mike O’Brien Meeting Start Time: 6:34 PM Minutes Recorded by: Eric Vorwald II. Changes to the Agenda None III. Public Comment None IV. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: 5 – 0 Motion by: Tommie Second: Amy Joe asked for information regarding the discussion of St. Stephen’s Church as referenced under the section on project updates. Mike indicated is was in response to questions about the status of the property. V. Review Draft Unified Land Use and Development Regulations – Articles I & II Eric introduced this item and indicated that the goal for tonight’s meeting would be to review articles I and II of the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations, including the table of contents. He also stated that the Planning Commission would continue the review of the regulations over the next several meetings with the goal of providing updates. Discussions began with the table of contents. Eric asked about specific references included and if they should be kept. The Planning Commission agreed to keep the references, but move them to the area that listed the amendments. The Planning Commission also suggested the references be incorporated into the specific amendments they related to if possible. No other comments on the table of contents were identified. Next, Eric introduced Article I, which discusses the purpose and authority of the regulations. He referenced the changes that were included with the draft and noted that  references, but move them to the area that listed the amendments. The Planning Commission also suggested the references be incorporated into the specific amendments they related to if possible. No other comments on the table of contents were identified. Next, Eric introduced Article I, which discusses the purpose and authority of the regulations. He referenced the changes that were included with the draft and noted that they were to provide consistency with the definitions in Article IX. He also indicated that an additional section was proposed to clarify that the regulations didn’t apply to areas of the public right-of-way. He indicated that those areas are regulated primarily through the Department of Public Works. Discussion related to uses in the right-of-way were discussed including how they were specifically regulated. Additionally, the Planning Commission requested that detail be provided in the new section that specified any regulations that would need to be followed or processes related to approvals for work in the right-of-way. Finally, Eric introduced Article II, which provides regulations for the zoning districts including uses. Eric reviewed several changes in Sections 2.1 thru 2.3 for clarification. Language in Section 2.3 was specifically discussed to add more direct clarity related uses that were not listed. Next the Planning Commission began a discussion on specific uses listed in Section 2.4, beginning with commercial uses. Limited changes were proposed, related to bars, brew pubs, and restaurant, café. The Planning Commission discussed these changes and recommended amendments. Next, the Planning Commission started a discussion on uses under the public and civic category including education facility, religious facility, and daycare facility. After discussing the uses, it was initially decided that education facility and daycare facility should be included as a permitted use in all districts, however the Commissioners agreed to continue discussions on these uses with the possibility of making them conditional. Additionally, religious facilities would be revisited at the next meeting to get more information related to the legality of excluding religious uses from certain districts. Following this discussion, it was determined that the Planning Commission would continue the review of Article II at the next meeting. VI. Department and City Updates Eric provided information related to the appeal to the Notice of Violation issued to 133 Elm Street. VII. Other Business Eric indicated the next meeting would be on November 12th and the Planning Commission would review the master plan goals and continue the discussion on amendments to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations. VIII. Adjourn Motion by: Amy Second: Tommie Meeting End Time: 8:44 PM