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MINUTES -
PLANNING COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING - MARCH 18, 2008
The regular meeting of the Morris Planning Commission was
called to order at 5:20 p.m. this 18th day of March, 2008, by Vice
Chairperson Rudney in the Council Chambers of the Morris Senior Citizens/Community
Center.
CALL OF THE ROLL: Roll call was taken with the following members present: Commissioners Granger, Hoffman and Vice
chairperson Rudney. Commissioners
Carpenter, Johnson and Chairperson Kuchenreuther were absent. Also present were City Manager Hill and
Ex-officio Miller.
READING AND APPROVAL OF 2/19/08 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES:
The minutes were not considered because there was not a quorum present.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Morris Community Church:
Pat Franey of the Morris Community Church was present. He indicated the church is interested
in purchasing the old UBC property for use as their church. This property is zoned I2 (Heavy
Industrial). A church is not a
permitted or conditional use in the I2 zone. He indicated the church would be located in the old retail
area and they may expand into the warehouse area. He stated they would remove the open-faced storage
sheds. He indicated their goal would
be to beautify the property bit by bit and hopefully get the parking lot
paved. He stated they are not
interested in competing with any retail businesses, and it appears there are no
other offers on this property.
Rudney indicated a concern may be how closely the building
is situated to Pacific Avenue. He
also stated he feels this looks like a good use of the property.
City Manager Hill indicated that the I2 zone is set up for
heavy industrial activity. He
stated we are talking about changing the use of the property so suggested they
file a conditional use request.
Granger asked if a conditional use permit can be issued for something
that is not a permitted use. She
asked if the ordinance could be amended so a church would be a permitted
conditional use in the I2 zone.
Hill indicated that would require an ordinance change.
Rudney indicated he feels this makes sense. Hoffman asked what happens if 10 years
down the road a heavy industrial use moved in next door. Granger indicated the purpose of zoning
is to separate uses. Hill
indicated maybe the best approach is to add churches as an allowable use in the
I2 zone with a conditional use permit.
That way any such uses would come before the Planning Commission for
review and to determine if it would be compatible with the surrounding area.
Granger indicated the reason this area is zoned I2 is
because businesses needed access to the railroad, however she feels that is
changing. She indicated she would
like to figure out a way to add churches as a conditional use in the I2 zone. Rudney agreed.
Hill indicated he could talk to the City Attorney regarding
this.
Hill indicated there is a building on the site that has
windows broken. Hoffman indicated
he would like to see the church see if there is some way to address being so
close to Pacific Avenue. Granger
indicated she does not think there are setback requirements in the I2 zone.
Granger indicated she likes the idea of revitalizing that
area. Ex-officio Miller indicated
he agrees it is a good use to clean up the area, make use of it and get rid of
some dilapidated buildings.
Franey indicated in the next week the church will be signing
a purchase agreement on this property with the contingency that the City
approves the use.
Hill will consult with the City Attorney on the procedure to
allow this.
Greenwaldt Variance Request: There was not a quorum present, so the
Planning Commission did not take any action on this request. Greenwaldt indicated he would like to
start digging in late April and have it framed and shelled in by the beginning
of the summer.
Rudney questioned if there is an easement in place. Greenwaldt indicated he has talked with
Dave Wente (the neighbor to the east) regarding the trees along the property
line. The trees are on Wente’s
property, approximately 2 ½’ from the property line. It is their intention to remove those
trees and possibly place a hedge along there.
Rudney asked if there is a low spot along the property
line. Greenwaldt indicated water
does pond in the back where it is pumped out into the street by a
neighbor. He stated he has never
had any problems with water and the addition would not stop the natural flow of
the water.
Rudney asked if Greenwaldt could make it a 20’ garage
instead of a 26’ garage.
Greenwaldt indicated that is what he has now and it’s very tight. He stated the purpose for the addition
is to give him more room in the garage.
Greenwaldt’s request is to add to his garage to within 4’ of
his property line. Granger
indicated 4’ is very small and she can’t see that a hardship could be argued on
this request.
It was the concensus of the Planning Commission to hold a
special meeting on April 9th, 2008 at 5:15 in the Council Chambers
to address this request.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:05.
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