10-29-09 Site Review MinutesSITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Lower Level Main Conference Room
201 First Avenue East
ATTENDING:
Paul Burnham, Assistant City Engineer
Tom Jentz, Planning & Bldg Director
Chad Fincher, Parks Superintendent
Michelle Anderson, Recording Secretary
Frank Castles, Deputy Public Works Director
Dan Diehl, Acting Fire Chief
P.J. Sorensen, Chairman
Guests: James Freyholtz, MDT, Jason Hatton, Datum Drafting
Hear the Public: No one wished to speak.
Performance Bond Reminders: Sorensen noted the city is still holding an $8,500.00
performance bond for the Super 1 store for lighting, storm drain system, ADA ramps and
compaction tests, all of which have been completed.
OLD BUSINESS: Heil — 749 W Center — Sorensen said the project has been through Architectural
Review and the current plan indicates the building will be 26' x 60' with a 10 ft setback on both the
east and west sides of the building. Jason Hatton of Datum Drafting said the paved access to the rear
of the building is now proposed at just under 9 feet wide and he added they are still discussing a
shared access with the property owner to the east. In addition, he said, there are only 2 parking
spaces in the rear that would be for employees and they intend to sign the access as a "service access
only". Fire doesn't have any issues with the width of the access to the rear.
There was further discussion regarding parking spaces required and how that could be met. A
drainage plan has not yet been submitted but stormwater requirements could probably be met on the
western 10 foot setback. The excess runoff has to be retained on -site however the city does not allow
underground storage or dry wells. The parking areas and access have to be paved, gravel is not
acceptable. Curb, gutter and sidewalk are also required but it was noted they do not appear on the
new plan and Hatton said they will be added.
Sorensen noted a shared access should still be plan A to provide extra room for maneuvering,
however the committee didn't feel this issue should be a reason to deny approval of the project.
Landscaping will include red bark mulch w/ shrubs which was ok with the Parks Department. Hatton
said they needed to order the building by today to receive a substantial savings and the committee said
they could go ahead and order the building with the understanding that they are taking a risk if
conditions can't be met.
ASI (Van Ee Apartments) — Grandview Drive — Burnham said Public Works reviewed the
plans and they have sent ASI their comments. There still is quite a bit of work required on their
stormwater. Conrad said he is still waiting for values to complete the PILT agreement.
NEW BUSINESS: Athletic Club —1331 Hwy 2 West — Sorensen said this project is the former
location of Ted's Beds in Ashley Square Mall and all of the work will be completed on the inside of
the building. Because this is a change of use it has to come before Site Review. Impact fees may
apply. The committee approved this project.
Mexican Restaurant — 111 South Main Street — Sorensen said this project was located in the
Emporium Building but has relocated to Main Street where the VFW operated and more recently a
coffee bistro/bakery. Diehl said the Fire Department needs to review the plans for the kitchen. The
committee approved this project.
PLANNING OFFICE ITEMS: Trumbull Creek Crossing — Crawl Spaces/Basements — Conrad
noted there is seasonal groundwater 9 —10 feet below the finished grade of the lots and he wanted to
clarify whether the committee felt that basements should be prohibited but crawl spaces could be
allowed under certain conditions. Burnham suggested the language needs to be added to the face of
the plat that the city recommends not installing basements in this area and if any structure is built
below the ground surface the lot needs to have a geotechnical study before they proceed. The
developer's engineer stated at a recent work session that he didn't see a problem allowing basements.
Further discussion was held.
Jentz said the city now requires inspections on footing drains and foundations. In addition council was
told if there was groundwater at 10 feet or less the stipulation on the plat would be: 5-10 feet — no
basement; 0-5 feet — no crawl space. Jentz added basements and crawl spaces could be used in an area
prohibiting basements and/or crawl spaces if the developer provides engineering and geotechnical
studies to the Building Department when applying for their building permit. Sorensen suggested one
of the conditions of approval for the PUD could support the prohibition of basements.
Burnham said if the city doesn't prohibit basements and/or crawl spaces on the plat the city is
allowing them and what should occur is that language should be included on all plats whether or not
groundwater is an issue. Then it is incumbent on the individual homeowners or home builders to
determine the propriety of a basement, crawl space, or any subsurface construction. Conrad said
notes can be put on the plat and wording added to the CCR's to address groundwater and
basements/crawl spaces but ultimately it is up to the homeowner or builder to take over the
responsibility. Further discussion was held.
OTHER REPORTS: Landstar Development — Elderly housing on 5th Avenue West— Sorensen
said this project is being developed by Mark Waatti and received approval for a conditional use
permit for 6 units. Since then a new plan was submitted and will be back on the Site Review agenda
next week.
Fincher asked for a copy of the city ordinance that addresses snow removal, especially on
commercial property. Burnham said he has a copy he would share. The Parks Department will be
sending a flyer to the downtown business owners and they wanted to include this information.
James Freyholtz, MDT said he still needs to follow up on the state's regulations, if there are any, for
projecting signs on Main Street. Burnham asked the purpose of the meeting with MDT, Public
Works and the Turners and Freyholtz said to go over their designs for the access roads from Willow
Creek Subdivision to Foys Lake Road and Highway 2 West.
Diehl reported the non -conforming 5-plex on 2nd Avenue East that was mostly damaged by fire this
year is being rebuilt and he asked at what time the owners would be required to build to the present
code. Sorensen said in looking at the history of that property it has been multiple units for quite some
time but they may have added a unit as recently as 1992 or 1993. Diehl said in the 2009 revision of
the building and fire codes a local code should be added that clarifies if a majority of the building is
destroyed that it has to be rebuilt to current standards.
Diehl also reported he met with the City -County Health Department to discuss fire inspections on
new and remodeled kitchens. He used the new VFW building as an example of issues that have come
up where they have a horse trailer jacked up on blocks and they are cooking and serving food inside
the club. The Health Department is working with the Fire Department to get them to shut down.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:54 a.m.