ITEM 3.3CPlanning 1.4.2016 MinutesITEM 3-3G
OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
JANUARY 4, 2016
7:00 PM
Call to Order:
Chair Black called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Pam Black; Commissioners: David Thompson, Steve Schuck, Roger
Mord, Richard Nichols, Aaron Stritesky and Jim Kolles
City Council: CM Vern Heidner. Staff: Daniel Licht, City Planner; and Sandy
Lindenfelser, Administrative Assistant.
1. Consider the following minutes:
1.1 November 2, 2015 Planning Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Schuck motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Nichols. All in favor. Motion carried.
2. Public Hearing Item:
2.1 Amendment of PUD-CUP to allow attached garages with a minimum area
of 414 square feet for lots approved with a minimum width of 55 feet.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant Rick Packer of Mattamy Homes was present and agreed with the staff report
as presented. Mr. Packer stated that if he would have known the garage size
requirement was a problem, he would have asked for this with the initial application.
Chair Black noted the correspondence submitted by John Rask of Hans Hagen Homes in
support of the application.
Chair Black opened the Public Hearing at 7:13PM.
Commissioner Nichols asked how the 55' in width is measured. City Planner Licht said it
is measured at the front setback line. Commissioner Nichols also asked what the
minimum square footage requirement for an attached garage was before 1999 and if
the standards are different? City Planner Licht said there wasn't a minimum area
requirement for an attached garage before 1999.
Commissioner Mord asked is each home and lot is individually owned even if under a
homeowner's association? City Planner Licht said yes.
Commissioner Stritesky asked if the homeowners association allows no outside garbage
containers and there is no other place to put them but in the garage, then what? City
Planner Licht said that the Zoning Ordinance is proposed to be amended to allow trash
containers as outside storage so the City would take no action to enforce.
Commissioner Mord asked if this request applies only to Phase 1 or the overall
development. City Planner Licht said the request applies to the entire development.
Commissioner Thompson asked if the lots in the future phases could be modified to
allow larger attached garages. City Planner Licht said that this could be an option for
the developer.
Commissioner Schuck said that the 440 foot requirement for townhouses should be
established in the ordinance for developers that come in.
Commissioner Mord said as he was driving around the neighborhoods, he sees garbage
cans stored outside. He understands the city is looking at some ordinance that allows
for no garbage cans or recyclable containers to be stored outside. City Planner Licht
said that the city is looking into an ordinance that allows garbage cans or recyclables to
be stored outside, which is currently prohibited. If the city changes and makes
allowance for it, then outdoor storage under the homeowners association wouldn't be
an enforceable issue by the city.
Chair Black closed the Public Hearing at 7:24 PM.
Commissioner Nichols asked if we know what the average footprint is. City Planner said
no.
Commissioner Thompson asked if the garage measurements are from the exterior
referencing the developer's marketing materials. Mr. Packer said that they are from the
inside the block. Mr. Packer assured that 414' is the smallest garage that will be built
based on the actual building plans.
Commissioner Nichols asked what the minimum lot size for a detached townhouse is.
City Planner Licht said the minimum lot size is 5000 square feet. Commissioner Nichols
said if the city had not allowed the reduction in minimum lot width, would we be having
this discussion of smaller garage sizes? Mr. Packer said yes, their housing product is
always a minimum of 40 feet. If the city would have insisted a 60 foot minimum lot
width, they wouldn't have offered it.
Commissioner Thompson said that some of the small lots are sold and asked has
anyone decided to build one of the homes with the attached garage that does not meet
the 480 square foot minimum requirement? Mr. Packer said no.
Commissioner Mord asked if they could accommodate any of these models with a 55
foot lot. Mr. Packer said yes, they would push the garage forward another 4 feet. They
could just about make any of the plans work with architectural changes and shifting the
house within the lot.
Commissioner Thompson asked if they were looking at adjusting the width and not the
depth. Mr. Packer said that the lots that are pie shaped would have to be pushed back.
Otherwise they would be looking at increasing the depth of the garage, not the width
because of the side setbacks. City Planner Licht said that the side setbacks are 7 feet.
Commissioner Stritesky said that the City provided flexibility on lot width and it's the
developer's issue to comply with the other requirements.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend the application be denied
based on a finding that the request is inconsistent with the policies of the
Comprehensive Plan and intent of the Zoning Ordinance with respect to use
of a Planned Unit Development and establishment of minimum attached
garage area standards. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. All in favor.
Motion denied.
3. Update on City Council actions.
CM Heidner gave an update to the Commissioners on City Council actions.
4. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda items.
City Planner Licht said the next meeting will be Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 7:00 PM
with an application from Duke Realty for Gateway North Building #2.
5. Adjourn.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to adjourn at 7:44 PM. Seconded by
Commissioner Schuck. All in favor. Motion carried.
Pam Black, Chair
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk
Written by: Sandy Lindenfelser, Administrative Assistant