PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

MEETING OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2006

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:

 

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.   

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Ken Kraus, Roger Yoder, Alan Seymour, Paula Bodey, John Cunningham, Pete Griffin, Don Bergwall.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Phil Roush, Tammy Penhorwood, Michael Warner, Glenn Dugger, Dennis Schulze, Jim Page, Myron Gallogly, Pricilla Gallogly, Mrs. Gibson, Gary Schmidt

 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated before the meeting gets started in terms of moving through the agenda we need to remember that we need to speak one at a time and the one speaking needs to be recognized by the chair of the meeting before speaking. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Planning Commission Special Meeting – December 13, 2005- Mr. Kraus made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Voice vote was unanimous.

 

Planning Commission Meeting – January 3, 2006 – Mr. Yoder made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Voice vote was unanimous. 

 

Planning Commission Special Meeting – January 23, 2006 – Mr. Seymour stated that meeting was double segmented with the first being for Design Review and the second half Planning Commission.  He stated he would like to only vote on the Planning Commission portion of the minutes.  Mr. Seymour made a motion to approve the Planning Commission portion of the minutes as presented.  Voice vote was unanimous. 

 

ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS: 

 

Mr. Roush stated he has drafted a letter to send to all developers and consultants to firm up the Planning Commission and Staffs position on accepting final plat applications.  He stated in the past there may have been a slight bending of the rules where we accepted the application when the engineering plans have not been completely approved.  We just want to confirm that from this point forward that we will be following the code. 

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS:  None

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Zoning Amendment – 14145 SR 4 – zoning change from AR to R-2/R-4 (tabled from Jan. 3rd)

 

Mr. Dugger stated this application is one that has been before the commission for some time.  He stated he would defer to the chairman on how he wants to handle this.  The current request is for standard zoning classifications.  At the time we looked at doing this project as a PUD.  The PUD code needed some revision work and it has now been done.  He stated their intention is to convert this application from what has been currently filed into the PUD format.  He stated we would like to get some input as to which direction we should pursue the PUD. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated the new PUD legislation is currently in front of City Council.  There are some amendments that are proposed.  Mr. Dugger stated he is hoping the legislation remains substantially similar to what the commission considered.  Mr. Cunningham stated in terms of content it should stay the same.  The amendments are procedural items. 

 

Mr. Dugger stated he has anticipated on gathering some discussion in terms of direction with the PUD and to have it in front of the commission next month. 

 

Mr. Bergwall stated as to the amendment on the agenda, and based on the drawings that were submitted with it, I would have reservations about it being appropriate for that area. 

 

Mr. Kraus suggested moving this item to the end of the meeting where they can spend more discussion time on it.

 

Mr. Seymour stated if we choose to move this on the agenda, it would no longer be titled zoning amendment.  We would talk about the PUD options. 

 

Mr. Dugger stated for the purposes tonight, I would request that we table the item as shown on the agenda and then have discussion on the later agenda item about revising this application. 

 

Mr. Bergwall made a motion to table the zoning amendment for the 14145 SR4 property at the request of the developer to the regular March meeting.

 

Mr. Kraus    Yes    Mr. Bergwall          Yes    Mr. Seymour         Yes    Mr. Cunningham  Yes

Mr. Griffin   Yes    Mr. Yoder   Yes    Mrs. Bodey Yes   

 

Approval of Final Plat – Keystone Crossing – (tabled from Dec. 5th)

 

Mr. Dennis Schulze stated in December we asked to have this tabled until February since Chestnut Park was tabling their Final Plat until January.  Since we have to run our sewer through their property, we are waiting on them.  My understanding is Chestnut Park is tabled until the April meeting.  Therefore, we are asking that ours be tabled until April as well.  We will need to contact them to make sure they are following through so we will have enough time to get our bond and parkland fees together. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated the plans we have before us right now for final plat don’t clearly define all of the agreements that we came up with.  Mr. Schulze stated it looks like we might be doing all of the sewer work through Chestnut Park.  Mr. Seymour stated he would like that defined before approval.

 

Mr. Yoder made a motion to table the approval of Keystone Crossing at the request of the representative until the regular April meeting.

 

Mr. Bergwall          Yes    Mr. Seymour         Yes    Mr. Cunningham  Yes

Mr. Griffin   Yes    Mr. Yoder   Yes    Mrs. Bodey Yes    Mr. Kraus    Yes   

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Amendment to approved Preliminary Plat – Galbury Meadows

 

Mr. Schulze stated he represents Galbury but he thought they were going to be here.  I ask that this be postponed a little bit until I have an opportunity to contact them and see what is going on. 

 

Mr. Kraus made a motion to move this to the end of the new business items.  Voice vote was unanimous. 

 

Acceptance of Preliminary Plat – The Oaks

 

Mr. Kraus stated given the fact that there is a legal dispute between the applicant and the City, in which I will probably be playing a role, I will be recusing myself.  I would ask that someone come and get me once these agenda items are concluded. 

 

Mr. Page stated he is here to answer any questions the commission may have. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated in the checklist it mentions having elevations of proposed buildings.  The commission has asked this question in regards to the condos.  It was indicated that it would be something that would be handled by a third party when the condos developed.  He stated he is very concerned before the approval of this project that we have some more concrete idea of what they are going to look like and what some of the restrictions will be.  The only thing we have heard at this point is the price, which was indicated to be around $200,000.  We would like to have more information regarding building materials and how it will conform to the surrounding buildings and environment. 

 

Mr. Page stated the problem they have with that is the condo section will be built by someone else.  It is hard for us to tell you what they are going to do.  He stated the concept of the condos was presented in the sketch plan phase and if someone else is going to come in and buy that section they are going to have to come in and present this to you. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated once we approve this plat and development plan, I don’t know if we will have an opportunity to review those plans.

 

Mrs. Penhorwood stated in the design review code it specifies that any property within a PUD, will have to go before the board.

 

Mr. Page stated it could be spelled out to us that it has to come back to you to look at.  He stated when you approve the PUD you are not approving that section in detail.  You could word it in any such way that you are not giving up the power to review the condos.

 

Mr. Gallogly stated the specific question regarding the materials are specified in the deed restrictions and applies to the single family and the condos.  The restrictions also spell out the square footage of the buildings.  He stated across the road you have Walker Meadows you have a small number of condos that is intended to be very high end.  There is also Mr. Bland building on Milford Ave. which has detached condos.  We are discussing this with developers for it to be in a market above the Bland condos with the materials specified in the deed restrictions.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated he wants to make sure with the zoning that we have some control.  Mr. Gallogly stated the discussion with the perspective buyers is that anything they do deviating from what we currently have, which is detached units with the materials in the restrictions, will have to come back to the commission.

 

Mr. Seymour asked if the styling of the condos would blend with the styling of the neighborhood.  Mr. Gallogly stated it would blend with the project which is above the neighborhood.  Mr. Seymour asked what instruction are you giving your perspective buyers on the styling.  Mr. Gallogly stated the developer will have to come to the commission for final review, so you will have the final say. 

 

Mr. Bergwall asked in regards to the access to SR 38, Azalea Lane and Royal Oak Dr, what is the distance between the two.  Mr. Page stated he would have to scale it but it meets regulations.  Mr. Bergwall stated the code states any roads going onto an arterial road need to be 1000 feet apart.  The concern for this is we now have Walker Woods exiting onto SR38, and then we will have these two and a little north there will be the realignment of Boerger Rd.  My concern is are these all 1000 feet apart and in compliance with the code?

 

Mr. Roush stated between the two accesses from this development looks to be about 650 ft.  Mr. Bergwall asked why we really need two exits from this development onto SR 38 if there is a second exit onto SR 736.  We need two points of entrance and egress, but do they have to be onto the same road?

 

Mr. Page stated Azalea Lane could be made into a cul-de-sac.  Mr. Gallogly stated it was originally a cul-de-sac and the city objected.  Mr. Roush stated it would be better if Royal Oak was blocked off. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated at the sketch plan, part of the objective was for Azalea Lane to provide access for the condos.  He stated he agrees with Mr. Roush to have Royal Oak blocked from SR 38. 

 

Mr. Bergwall stated we want to discourage people going through this development to get over to SR 736.

 

Mr. Gallogly stated this was changed in response to concern from the city.  It was originally shown as a cul-de-sac and they didn’t like them.  The condo area has been indicated to need two entrances through flow.  We don’t really care.  We have responded to accommodate the comments.  What is shown is a good accommodation.  If you want something different say what you want to do.  We have responded and we think it complies with all regulations.

 

Mr. Bergwall stated that is what he is questioning.  I don’t know that it does. 

 

Mr. Gallogly stated we had a plan which is what you are suggesting which was indicated by the city as unacceptable.  If that is the case then let’s go back to the original plan.  Mr. Bergwall stated there are mixed feelings about cul-de-sacs.  Some of us think they are okay and others don’t.  Mr. Gallogly stated he doesn’t because he doesn’t care.  What I want it to get the project moving forward.  All I’m trying to do is get resolution about what the various comments are so we can move forward. 

 

Mr. Roush stated he doesn’t know that he has a particular problem with the two entrances onto SR 38.  I would be more concerned about Royal Oak Drive because it is close to Walker Woods Lane.  He stated roads onto arterial streets are to have 1000 ft. between them so this may require a variance. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated Mr. Griffin pointed out that in 1107.10 it does indicate that the intersections shall be not less than 1000 feet apart.  With the “shall” there is would make it difficult to do anything without a variance. 

 

Mrs. Bodey asked how far Azalea Lane will be from the realignment of Boerger.  Mr. Roush stated it would probably be about 600-700 feet.  To the existing Boerger Rd. it would be about 200-300 feet. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated in 1113.06, variances, you need to provide the information on the hardship of not being able to comply with these regulations. 

 

Mr. Seymour asked if Mr. Bergwall had a chance to figure if Walker Woods Lane would be 1000 ft. from Azalea.  Mr. Bergwall stated Walker Woods Lane at this point is a given.  As this property develops, they have a right to an entrance onto SR 38.  The question really is do they have a right to put two entrances onto the arterial that are tighter than what the code allows.  When you say is it a hardship, that is when you take into account the other roads that are there. 


Mr. Cunningham stated he is not hearing a proposed resolution at this point.  Are you talking about Azalea remaining where it is with Royal Oak turning into a cu-de-sac?

 

Mr. Roush stated as far as the administration is concerned, we are okay with the way the street layout is shown.  It may not be the most ideal, but the only way to get that is to develop the entire area. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated his desire would be for Azalea Lane to become Royal Oaks Drive where it T’s and Royal Oaks not continue to SR 38. 

 

Mr. Griffin stated he thinks that makes sense. 

 

Mr. Bergwall asked if the private drive from the condos would go out onto SR 736.  Mr. Page stated that is the intent.  Mr. Bergwall asked what the distance is between the two onto SR 736. 

 

Mr. Gallogly stated we were told we need an entrance on each end and two entrances for the condo area and that the street had to go through the residential area.  We have done what we have been told, so if you have different instructions give them to me. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated we have before us a suggestion from Mr. Seymour on how to correct this.  Is this something that can be done?  Mr. Gallogly asked if they are talking about eliminating the Royal Oaks entrance off of SR 38.  Mr. Seymour stated yes.  Mr. Gallogly stated in doing that there is no entrance into Phase 1 of the project. 

 

Mr. Yoder stated a comment was made earlier about trying to deter from cutting through this development to get to SR 38 and I think this would help. 

 

Mrs. Bodey stated Royal Oak Dr. is the highest point of the property for good line of sight.  Considering the fact that the 1000 feet between drives in not going to be met even with having Azalea as the only entrance, then I don’t feel the Royal Oak entrance should be taken out.  Mr. Gallogly stated that is correct, Royal Oak Dr. is the highest point.

 

Mrs. Bodey stated with the goal being to abide by the letter of the code, since it is not possible, a reasonable compromise seems to be the best bet.

 

Mr. Griffin stated in 1113.06, there is something that suggests we can solve this.  I think the fact that this is the high point of the road, provided a reason as to why we should allow it. 

 

Mr. Gallogly stated if you go to one entrance, that is the place to have the entrance.

 

Mr. Griffin stated you have to have another entrance for the condo area anyway.  Mr. Gallogly stated he agrees they do, but he is trying to respond to the commission’s comments. 

 

Mr. Bergwall asked why they have to have a separate entrance for each road for the condos and a separate entrance on each road for the residential area.  Mr. Page stated the City Engineer likes it the way it is and it is laid out the best way this property can be.  The variance idea for the 1000 ft. problem sounds like the best solution.  I don’t know why you would want to change the entrances.  They are pretty much balanced out between what is there.  In the past, it has been argued that you want more than one entrance on these developments. 

 

Mr. Yoder stated given the facts, he is leaning towards what is being presented here and having the developer apply for the variance. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated regarding the variance we would have to have an application in writing tonight. 

 

Mrs. Bodey asked in the approval of the preliminary plat, are we also approving the condos.  Will the variance need to request the variance of the condo roads not being the 1000 ft apart?

 

Mr. Cunningham stated the commission is not approving the preliminary plat tonight. 

 

Mrs. Bodey asked if the request is going to be for all of the roads in the area that are not

 

1000 ft. apart or just the ones in this subdivision.  Mr. Roush stated it would be for all of the roads. 

 

Mr. Yoder made a motion to accept the preliminary plat with the condition that the variance will be presented by the end of the meeting.

 

Mr. Seymour         Yes    Mr. Cunningham  Yes               Mr. Griffin   Yes    Mr. Yoder

Yes    Mrs. Bodey Yes    Mr. Kraus    Recused      Mr. Bergwall          No

 

Public Hearing of Preliminary Development Plan – The Oaks

 

Mr. Bergwall stated on page 11 of the deed restrictions, under exterior materials, it says natural finish materials…. as well 6” beaded vinyl for certain colonial style homes shall be applied to all sides of the exterior of buildings.  It also states that the roof pitch shall be a minimum of 6/12.  He stated if you build a colonial style home, according to your restrictions, vinyl is the only material required.  Mr. Gallogly stated he was not aware that vinyl was allowed anywhere in the restrictions.  The intent is for no vinyl to be allowed.  Mr. Bergwall stated commonly in homes like this the roof pitch is asked to be 8/12 or greater.  Mr. Gallogly stated this is an exact copy of Walker Meadows restrictions. 

 

Mr. Bergwall stated in regards to item K, regarding mailboxes, post lights and street trees it says there will be a post light on each lot.  Are you planning on using post lights instead of street lights?  Mr. Gallogly stated this was a copy of the Walker Meadows restrictions, which they have a limited number of street lights. 

 

Mr. Roush stated if they are going to request a variance for lighting they will have to do it tonight.  Mr. Gallogly stated the post lights are not intended to be a replacement to the street lights.  The intention of the street lighting is intended to be in compliance with the city code. 

 

Mr. Cunningham asked if this development will have sidewalks and curb and gutter throughout.  Mr. Gallogly stated at the insistence of this commission the sidewalks are included in the plans.  It is against my wishes.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated with no further comments, this is the closing of the public hearing for the Oaks.

 

Mr. Kraus came back into the meeting.

 

Approval in Principal of Sketch Plan – City Gate – filed by Connolly Construction

 

Mr. Yoder stated he is recusing himself from this agenda item due to the fact that the applicant and I are involved in litigation on a personal matter.  Although I feel I can be fair and impartial, I don’t want there to be any perception otherwise. 

 

Mr. Connolly stated they have worked for several years to assemble the properties in this particular area.  Having assembled them we have worked with administration through several different renditions of plans to try to figure out the best use and development of this plot.  The development of Coleman’s Crossing has taken the need for locations of big boxes away.  This is divided into lots that are about 1-4 acres in size with the idea of using the idea of TOC zoning for retail, commercial and eating establishment types of businesses.

 

Mr. Roush stated we have had several meetings.  There is a traffic study being done currently.  There will be a right hand drop off lane.  In addition to what is going to happen with City Gate, there is a concern in the area with the traffic along Delaware Ave.  The addition of City Gate to the current commercial TIFF has the potential to help create some money to help the city do an improvement along Delaware Ave. 

 

Mrs. Bodey asked if the city was planning on using the TIFF money to widen the road.  Mr. Roush stated yes, Delaware Ave. would be 5 lanes from just west of five points intersection to Coleman’s Crossing intersection. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated there is the primary access of Coleman’s Crossing Blvd. and then there is the McDonald’s entrance.  Is the intent to carry the McDonald’s access through to the other side?  Mr. Roush stated there is a reservation for future roadway in that area; however, my feeling is as City Gate develops, Lydia Dr. to Connolly St. would provide the entrance way for those properties. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated he would not feel good about having Lydia Dr. as a commercial use drive letting out onto the residential street. 

 

Mr. Connolly stated initially we were under the impression that the city would want to create an extension of the McDonald’s access.  That was before we understood the administration’s desire to take another look at the traffic study from Coleman’s Crossing all the way back to Five Points.  When we thought that was going to happen, we asked the administration if they wanted us to hook Lydia Ln. into Connolly St. as a way for those residents to get to a light.  One of the suggestions was to dead end Connolly St. at Delaware Ave.  The items of what to do with the easement between Burger King and Nations Rent and what to do with Connolly St. is in the hands of the administration. 

 

Mr. Connolly stated one of the things we did about 1 ½ years ago is we invited all of the contiguous property owners and city administration to a meeting where we had our land planner and asked the property owners what they would like to see.  That is where it became clear that they did not want Surrey Ln. connected to anything. Their main concern was traffic.  Another concern was flooding problems with storm sewers in the area.  Our engineers are looking into that and believe what we do will help with that problem

 

 

Mr. Bergwall stated there are a number of concerns he has in regards to this project and the code.  When the zoning amendment was done, there was discussion about Surrey Ln. terminating into a T turnaround and it was made a condition of the rezoning.  The code states the length of cul-de-sacs shall not be over 600 ft.  I foresee if a bank would go on lot 9 and there would become a situation where they would need to block the road off, everything past that point would be void of an exit.  The one cul-de-sac borders on 600 ft. in the straight.  Where are these to be measured from?  Mr. Roush stated they are measured from the intersection to the center of the radius.  Mr. Bergwall stated in that case both of the cul-de-sacs are beyond the 600’ limit.  If this was residential I would be more inclined to say if this is the best fit that is fine, however, by the nature of commercial I think it is more critical.  Another item of concern is that TOC lot width is 125’ and on some of these lots we are very close to the minimum at the build line.  Lot 6 for example is right at the minimum.  For commercial with larger driveways, it makes it a concern.  Snow removal with the cul-de-sacs and the wider drives is going to be a concern. 

 

Mr. Bergwall stated the point of access onto arterial streets also comes up with this project.  The distance between Coleman’s Crossing Blvd. and the proposed road by Burger King is only about 300’ and distance down to Connolly is even shorter.

 

Mr. Bergwall stated continuing the Coleman’s Crossing Blvd. name into your development, which we need to do because of the name establishment from the other side, but continuing that name into this development is going to be confusing.  As this goes farther along I would like to know how you plan on buffering against the residential lots. 

 

Mr. Bergwall stated he did have an opportunity to meet with Mr. Connolly to voice some of these concerns and he was kind enough to show me some of the alternatives.  My concern is that this is almost inside out. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated the cul-de-sacs are a concern.  Some of the other items I had a concern with are sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and buffering. 

 

Mr. Connolly stated he told Mr. Bergwall that it was an error on our part to dead end Surrey Ln.  There will be a turn around.  The name of the street is not our decision.  We were told by administration that the name would be Coleman’s Crossing.  There will be curb and gutter throughout.  Sidewalks will also be provided.  You will need to give us instructions on what you want to do about sidewalks in front.  Do you want it to cross Delaware Ave. or to continue down Delaware Ave.? 

 

Mr. Connolly stated his engineer is here to talk about the loop roads.  Mr. Roush asked if he had any comments on the cul-de-sacs.  Mr. Connolly stated those are loop roads, they don’t meet the definition of a cul-de-sac.

 

Mr. Scott McClintock with EMH&T stated when they read the code, it states, “cul-de-sacs shall not generally exceed 600’”.  When we looked towards the layout of the development and trying to create a front and back development this was the best option.  The roads are what we call loop roads, which will be able to have both directional traffic on both sides.  He stated the cul-de-sac on Lydia is within the approved range of 600’.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated he wanted to know how someone would get from lot 14 to 17.  Mr. McClintock stated they would have the option of going either direction around the loop. 

 

Mrs. Bodey asked if they thought about linking the roads into a triangle.  Mr. Connolly stated that was designs 2, 3, and 4.  It ended up being so tight that it created one or two lots in the middle of an island and it didn’t give us a way to easily service the other lots. 

 

Mrs. Bodey stated she agrees with Mr. Bergwall that it feels like if an issue occurred on one of the roads it would isolate more than half of the properties and it wouldn’t give you your two ways in and out.

 

Mr. Connolly stated he doesn’t want to split hairs over whether or not it is called a loop road or a cul-de-sac.  I don’t like cul-de-sacs.  It would have been much easier to just design one large cul-de-sac.  What I remember the code saying is that they generally should not exceed 600’. 

 

Mr. Kraus stated one way to elevate the concern of the distance would be if the west branch of Lydia would be move to the back of lots 10, 11, and 12.  In order to do that you would not have a straight intersection.  The other is I tend to take a different stand on people being blocked if something was to happen on lot 9.  This is a commercial area and I don’t see the problem being as big as if it were a residential area where people need milk for the baby and so on.  He stated he would also be opposed to having the McDonald’s road extended.

 

Mr. Bergwall stated his thinking is just the opposite.  I would rather have people confined to their home than to there car.  That mother that has the baby in the car and one bottle in the bag would be much better off at home.  There will also be a lot more traffic through this development because it is commercial.

 

Mrs. Bodey stated she still does not like the loop and is hopefully that they will come back with something that can address the problems that we have stated. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated Mr. Joe Tracey of the street department made a comment of increasing or deleting the width of the road coming into the development.  Mr. Connolly stated he will make it into what ever they want it to be.  Mr. Roush stated he is not sure we are sold on the boulevard entrance. 

 

Mrs. Bodey stated she thinks the boulevard idea is a good idea and makes a nice feel. 

 

Mr. Bergwall asked if the interior roads will be city dedicated roads or private.  Mr. Roush stated they will be city streets. 

 

Mr. Seymour asked what the intention is on the lots facing Delaware Ave. and residences on Connolly St.  Mr. Connolly stated the code says there is to be a 50 buffer.  We would buffer that against the residential with probably mounding and pine trees.  One of the advantages to not having the big boxes there is there won’t be the 35’ tall buildings with lights and docks.  Mr. Connolly stated you need to instruct us on what you want us to do about SR 33.  In the Coleman Crossing area, the Honda dealership situated itself so it is facing SR 33.  Home Depot, you accurately stated that building has 4 sides.  Our understanding with some of those lots that will be against SR 33 will have 4 sides.  Some of them may end up facing SR 33 for advertisement purposes.  So, our intent is not to buffer SR 33.  The lots that would face Delaware Ave., would be fed from the back and the front of the buildings would be facing Delaware Ave. 

 

Mr. Bergwall stated the elevation of SR 33 pavement vs. the proposed elevations of the parking lots is quite a difference.  Mr. Connolly stated one of the concerns is the height of the buildings and how the equipment is placed.  Mr. Bergwall stated when we start talking about buffering on SR 33. I don’t think we should waste a whole lot on trying to put in the buffering because you will be looking down onto the buildings. 

 

Mr. Connolly stated their intent is to buffer against the residential but to have no buffering along SR 33 and Delaware Ave.

 

Mrs. Bodey stated she feels heavy landscaping is appropriate.

 

Mr. Roush stated the first layout the administration saw for this project was the triangular

layout.  What you end up with is a lot of smaller lots and no larger lots.  It is not a big enough piece of property for that type of layout. 

 

Mr. McClintock stated an issue that was raised was what if something happens at lot 9 how does anyone get out.  As I understand the layout will have the potential of having cross access easements from each of the commercial lots. 

 

Mrs. Bodey asked if this going to be added in the deed restrictions.  Mr. McClintock stated yes, the way this is going to work as a complete development is as each of the tenants come in, there is going to be a design component that is going to work together. 

 

Mrs. Bodey stated Mr. Roush indicated by putting in a triangular road system the lots would get smaller.  Wouldn’t the shape just change? You have the same amount of area. 

It would be helpful to know what the minimum acreage needed for the businesses you have in mind.  I can’t dismiss that it is not good to have a triangular roadway.

 

Mr. Connolly stated when you bring the roads together you need to bring the nose down far enough that it creates an island in the middle that is only about 2-3 acres.  None of us could identify potential uses for those interior lots.  In the current plan, the entire site is 38 acres, 5 acres is asphalt now.  When we went with the loop road, it was over 7 acres of asphalt.  It is ultimately the land use.  If we could figure out a way to sell the lots in the island, it would be our desire.

 

Mrs. Bodey stated on lot 18, for instance, what do you envision going on there.  Mr. Connolly stated those are some of the most usable lots.  Without going into privileged information there is discussion about combining two of those lots for something like a grocery store.  There is discussion for using a lot for a hotel and one for an office building.

 

Mr. Seymour stated there are a couple of open issues to come to a better consensus that way they can have a better idea of what to come back with at preliminary plat. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated one would be the loop roads vs. the triangular shape. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated another would be understanding of the extension of the road to go between Burger King and Nations Rent. Another would be the access of Lydia onto Connolly.  Are they okay as they are? 

 

Mr. Connolly stated we are on a tight timeline to make this all fit.  In order to make your deadline for the next meeting we have to have this turned into here by this Thursday.  We have engineers on call to start making all of your changes first thing in the morning.  We literally have 48 hours to get ready for your next meeting.  We need to have a clear understanding of what you want, or to have the ability to be able to adjust them at the meeting.  You need to tell us clearly what you want us to do and it is our job to try and make it work.Mr. Bergwall stated clearly there are concerns regarding traffic on Delaware Ave. and traffic internal to the development.  I would like to see further discussion about closing Connolly to Delaware Ave. and having the entrance at the light by Burger King and the one at Coleman’s Crossing Blvd.  With regards to the internal, the code is in our favor in regards to the long cul-de-sacs.  If you can put into your plan and deed restrictions that some of the lots will be linked for driving pass through, then that would eliminate some of the concern, if we can’t get a better traffic flow internally. 

 

Mrs. Bodey stated in response to Mr. Connolly, we are here to discuss the sketch plan, but we are not talented engineers to give you a redesign.  The best we can do is communicate our concerns. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated we identified the loop road issue and it being longer than 600’ is not acceptable to the commissioners.  Are we in agreement with that?  Mr. Griffin stated  he is not in agreement with that because he feels it is solved with the cross links.  Mr. Cunningham stated would deed restrictions or control within the development suffice.  Mrs. Bodey stated it would really have to look like a road. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated he agrees with Mrs. Bodey. However, the plan the way it is acceptable if the cul-de-sacs can be reduced to below the 600’.  I believe with some creative and minor lot adjustments, it can be accomplished. 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated he agrees if there was an emergency and there was another way out, it would make it better.

 

Mr. Seymour stated if that was not dedicated as a public access, I don’t know how, in the long run, you can enforce it.

 

Mr. Connolly stated where we have the bike path in the back with the desire to not hook up Surrey Lane, what if the bike path were 10’ wide and still had the bollards that could be removed for emergency access.  Does that solve the concern? 

 

Mrs. Bodey stated it is a smart thing to do but I don’t think it addresses the concern.

 

Mr. Connolly stated 99.999% of the time it is not going to be an issue.  When I understand it being an issue is in an emergency.  If there is a way to remove a bollard or open a gate, does that resolve the issue?

 

Mr. Seymour stated for him it doesn’t resolve the 600’ issue.

 

Mr. Connolly stated if we get away from the 600’ issue, does it solve the concern about the loop roads.

 

Mr. Cunningham stated yes, it would meet the code. 

 

Mrs. Bodey stated she is hearing that the city discourages cul-de-sacs and here are huge ones and we are encouraging them.  Mr. Roush stated he does not think it is fair to say that they are being encouraged; I would like to see the triangle layout.  We are not willing to take away the ability to do a proper development.  Cul-de-sacs are different in residential area than commercial areas. 

 

Mr. Roush stated he would not want to see Lydia moved any farther north on Connolly Street.  That would take away the ability to have an entrance off of Lydia.

 

Mr. Griffin stated having Lydia where it is solves some other traffic issues for you from Delaware Ave., is the way I understand it.  Mr. Connolly stated if the road comes back to the cul-de-sac as a divided road, is it two roads. 

 

Mr. Bergwall stated he does not have enough information to be able to vote yes for this project.

 

Mr. Cunningham read the sketch plan approval procedure from the code.  He stated it sounds like they are dependent on approval this evening.

 

Mr. Connolly stated it is my risk that if I bring back a preliminary plat that does not address what was discussed, then I’m kicked back.  Our request would be that you approve it in principal and let us refine a preliminary plat for us to bring to the next meeting that would address your concerns. 

 

Mr. Seymour stated there are only about 3-4 bullets you will need to walk away with in order to come back with a preliminary.  At the preliminary, we will be able to further fine tune.

 

Mrs. Bodey stated the city engineer indicated he needs time to talk with local property owners, yet Mr. Connolly stated he wants to have the plan approved and be back here next month.  Is that the time frame you were talking about? 

 

Mr. Cunningham stated the city engineer and city administration’s schedule is not ours.

 

Mr. Roush stated those two lots are outside the development.

 

Mr. Kraus state he doesn’t have an issue approving the plan in principal with the understanding that we won’t see the same plan return for the preliminary plat.

 

Mr. Seymour made a motion to approve the sketch plan in principal.

 

Mr. Griffin   Abstain        Mr. Yoder   Recused      Mrs. Bodey No     Mr. Kraus    Yes    Mr. Bergwall      No     Mr. Seymour         Yes    Mr. Cunningham  Yes     

 

Mr. Yoder came back into the meeting

 

Amendment to approved Preliminary Plat – Galbury Meadows

 

Mr. Schulze stated after conversation with the client and the city engineer, I find out I could have done this previously.  Apparently we have a plat that need to be amended after the approval.  The reason it is amended is the high pressure gas line that runs through this property that was not located correctly.  We have had to move some of the lots. 

 

Mr. Roush stated the only change is Galbury Meadows Drive is moved slightly south.  It changes a few of the lot sizes on the southern boarder slightly. 

 

Mrs. Bodey stated she is curious about the width of the gas line easements.  Mr. Roush stated he believes it is 50’ easement.

 

Mr. Bergwall asked what the depth of the line is on the property.  Mr. Gallogly stated it is 48” on his property. 

 

Mr. Kraus made a motion to approve the