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MINUTES-PLANNING
COMMISSION-REGULAR MEETING-OCTOBER 18, 2011
The
regular meeting of the Morris Planning Commission was called to order at 5:15
p.m. this 18th day of October, 2011, by
Chairperson Kuchenreuther 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
Rudney, Granger, Livingston, Gades and Chairperson Kuchenreuther. Commissioners Johnson and Hoffman, and
ex-officio Miller were absent. Also
present was City Manager/Zoning Administrator Hill.
READING
AND APPROVAL OF 9/20/11 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: On the 2nd page, 3rd
paragraph, the first sentence reads, “Bill Stewart, 401 West 9th
Street, asked if the City could have an airplane span the area…..” It was the consensus that the word
“span” should be changed to “scan”.
Commissioner Rudney moved, seconded by Gades, to approve the minutes of
the 9/20/11 regular meeting with the noted change. Motion carried.
PUBLIC
HEARINGS: Continuation of Zoning Amendment
Hearing: Chairperson
Kuchenreuther explained that the Planning Commission must decide if the
proposed zoning map amendments should be sent to the City Council for approval.
Discussion
ensued regarding the request of Jay Morrell, owner of the concrete plant on
Pacific Avenue, to leave their zoning I2 instead of changing it to I1 as
proposed. Commissioner Rudney asked
if it makes a difference either way.
City Manager/Zoning Administrator Hill indicated he feels Mr. Morrell
was arguing there is a value to having a railroad spur to his property. Hill noted there is not a lot of room
between the railway and Pacific Avenue and therefore doesn’t believe many major
heavy industry businesses will be looking to locate there. Elevators are conditional use permits in
both I1 and I2 zones.
Kuchenreuther
feels the sentiment of the Planning Commission is that there should not be
heavy industrial businesses in the city center. Granger indicated there are a large
number of residential areas around the railroad corridor, and a rail spur can
be installed in the Industrial Park if a prospective owner was looking to
locate along a spur. Hill noted the
heavy industrial zone provides for intensive land use, and light industrial
uses are not to detract from an area of less intensive land use. This corridor being right next to so
much residential area does have an impact on that area. Kuchenreuther pointed out dust, building
height, etc. cannot be screened.
Granger
indicated she does want to make sure grain elevators are allowed to operate.
Hill pointed out grain elevators are permitted as a
conditional use in the I1 zone.
Hill indicated he feels it is a good plan to keep the I2 zone away from
the residential areas.
Commissioner
Livingston asked what would prevent a future Planning Commission from changing
the zoning. Hill indicated he feels
by changing the zoning from I2 to I1, this Planning Commission is making a
statement as to what they believe should be allowed in this area. He indicated it can
always be rezoned by a future Planning Commission. Livingston indicated he feels it makes
sense to change the zoning to I1. Commissioner
Gades also feels the area should be zoned I1.
Commissioner
Gades moved, seconded by Livingston, to retain the original proposal that the
area around the railroad tracks be zoned I1. Motion carried.
Item #3
as noted in the 9/20/11 minutes is to change the Mohr Plumbing and Melchert properties
along Highway 28 from Highway Business to Single and 2 Family Residence. There is an area north of this that the
Planning Commission had proposed be zoned Municipal Conservancy. The owner of
that property has indicated it is not a wetland, and would prefer that be zoned
Residential. Commissioner Granger
moved, seconded by Rudney, to change this area to Residential rather than
Municipal Conservancy. Motion
carried.
Granger
indicated she spoke out at the last meeting about the comprehensive plan
because she did not want anyone to think the Planning Commission’s work on
these zoning changes has been arbitrary.
Granger
indicated that after last month’s meeting, Commissioner Johnson mentioned that Aaron
Carlson Woodwork is in the Central Business District.
Hill
noted the UBC building has been sold and will be turned into a grocery
store.
Commissioner
Gades moved, seconded by Rudney, to present the zoning amendments as amended to
the City Council. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Rudney moved, seconded by
Livingston, to adjourn. Motion
carried and the meeting adjourned at 5:53.
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