Planning Commission

4/25/2024 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Mike O’Brien, Chair; Sarah van Ryckevorsel; Brendan Sage City Staff Present: Eric Vorwald Guests Present: Kristine Lott, Mayor; Bryn Oakleaf, City Councilor; Amy Houghton; Terry Zigmund Call to Order by: Mike O’Brien Meeting Start Time: 6:30 PM Minutes Recorded by: Eric Vorwald II. Changes to the Agenda None. III. Public Comment No comments were offered by members of the public that were present, however Eric indicated that three residents submitted written comments that were forwarded to the Planning Commissioners. IV. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: 3 – 0 Motion by: Brendan Second: Sarah A motion was made by Brendan to approve the April 04, 2024 meeting minutes. Sarah seconded. All were in favor. V. Continue Discussion on Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (ULUDR) Amendments Related to Statutory Changes Decision: 3 – 0 Motion by: Brendan Second: Sarah Eric provided an update that the joint meeting with the Housing Commission would likely be on June 25 th . He also indicated that the Act 250 amendment for Lot 7D had been submitted and was under review by the state. He concluded by reminding the Planning Commission that the public hearing for amendments to the land use regulations related to the O’Brien Community Center would occur on May 6 th at the City Council.  Eric provided an update that the joint meeting with the Housing Commission would likely be on June 25 th . He also indicated that the Act 250 amendment for Lot 7D had been submitted and was under review by the state. He concluded by reminding the Planning Commission that the public hearing for amendments to the land use regulations related to the O’Brien Community Center would occur on May 6 th at the City Council. Eric introduced the amendments to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and stated that he would start with the incentives under Section 5.14, then move forward with Article IX on definitions, and Appendix B on the Form Based Code before reviewing previous sections. He also stated that the goal would be to schedule a hearing at the end of the meeting to ensure time was available to have the draft amendments forwarded to City Council prior to his departure at the end of June. Eric reviewed the information related to the incentive for administrative reviews indicating that this option would be available based on both affordable units and units with three or more bedrooms where a percentage of the units were offered for sale. Eric also clarified that if any relief was sought, such as a waiver; or if the project was proposed as a planned unit development, the administrative option was not available. The Commissioners generally supported the draft language and offered several suggestions for amendments to make it clear what the requirements were for receiving this incentive. After this discussion, Eric reviewed the new definitions that were drafted. He indicated that most of the changes were related to Act 47. He also identified several other amendments that were proposed for clarity in existing definitions. The Planning Commissioners were supportive of the changes and additional definitions that were proposed. Eric continued the review of the draft amendments with Appendix B – the form based code. He highlighted several changes specifically related to Act 47. These included updated references to the bonus story provision for affordable housing and changes to the detached frontage building form standard. Eric also highlighted several other changes for clean-up and clarification. This was related to lighting for signs, roof heights, and mechanical equipment. The Planning Commission had a general discussion about the changes, but were supportive of the proposal. After reviewing the new information, Eric went back to review previous changes. One of the changes he specifically highlighted as the addition of multi-unit (5 or more units) in the Residential C Zoning District. Eric indicated that his understanding was that the intent of this change was related to the incentive under Section 5.14 that would allow projects to configure buildings with six total units. Eric recommended that instead of indicating multi-unit dwellings with five or more units being permitted, a note would be added to reference Section 5.14 since the multi-unit configuration was only permitted with specific circumstances. Several members of the public spoke about this issue as well and expressed concern about too much density and lot coverage. In general, there was support to make the change to the use table to better reflect the intent and to more specifically indicate that five or more dwellings was only permitted as an incentive. Eric reviewed several other changes to the descriptions of the zoning districts and indicated he would make several additional changes to reflect concerns raised by the commissioners and the public. Next, Eric reviewed several other minor changes to other sections. There were no concerns from the Planning Commission related to these additional changes. After this review, Eric reiterated that if the Planning Commission was comfortable, a public hearing could be scheduled on the amendments to continue moving the process forward. He noted the first available date for a hearing would be on May 23 rd . With that, Brendan made a motion that was seconded by Sarah to hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments on May 23 rd . All were in favor. Eric thanked the Commissioners for their hard work on these amendments. VI. City Updates Mayor Lott provided updates on changes to the housing trust fund, including an agreement with Opportunities Credit Union to allow other lenders into the program; she indicated that the  in favor. Eric thanked the Commissioners for their hard work on these amendments. VI. City Updates Mayor Lott provided updates on changes to the housing trust fund, including an agreement with Opportunities Credit Union to allow other lenders into the program; she indicated that the Housing Commission would like additional time before the next joint meeting; the Finance Commission is working on an economic development strategic plan; and that the City Council set aside $10,000 for two traffic calming studies, but it would not include the work to install the measures. VII. Other Business Eric remined the members that the next meeting would be on May 9 th . VIII. Adjourn Motion by: Sarah Second: Brendan Meeting End Time: 8:10 PM