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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z.Minutes.07-08-2020CITY Ot CAPE GIRARDEAU PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 8, 2020 City Hall — Council Chambers Present: Larry Dowdy, Jeff Glenn, Kevin Greaser, Derek Jackson, Patrick Koetting, Doug Spooler, Ed Thompson, Thomas J. Welch Absent: Bruce Skinner Staff Present: Carol Peters, Ryan Shrimplin Call to Order Vice -Chairman Koetting called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the June 10, 2020 meeting were unanimously approved upon a motion made by Mr. Greaser and seconded by Mr. Spooler. �... Appearances Regarding Items Not on the Agenda There were no appearances for items not on the agenda. Cape Vision 2040 COmorehensive Plan Mr. Shrimplin stated that the Cape Vision 2040 comprehensive plan was recently completed and is being presented tonight for public hearing and adoption. He explained that a comprehensive plan is a long-range, multi -faceted plan intended to guide a community's future growth and development. While a comprehensive plan typically has a horizon of at least 20 years, it is common practice to update the plan every 10 years. The City adopted the current comprehensive plan in 2008. In 2017, the City hired the consultant team of Teske Associates and Orion Planning + Design to prepare an update to the plan. Early in the planning process, the decision was made to replace the plan rather than update it. Mr. Shrimplin then introduced Mr. Michael Hoffman, Vice President and Principal of Teske Associates, who gave a presentation on the new plan. At the conclusion of the presentation, Vice -Chairman Koetting opened the public hearing. Ms. Kelly Branch commented that people should stop referring to the city's southern neighborhoods as "South Cape' because it gives the impression that this area is separate from Cape Girardeau rather than being a part of it. She expressed a desire for more commercial development and pedestrian access in the southern neighborhoods. Mr. Hoffman explained that the new plan contains an analysis of the city's older neighborhoods, including the area in question, and includes recommendations for additional commercial development as well as expanding sidewalks and trails. Mr. Greaser stated that he serves on the P.O.R.C.H. (People Organized to Revitalize Community Healing) Initiative Board of City of Cape Girardeau Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 Page 2 of 5 Directors. He encouraged Ms. Branch to get involved with the P.O.R.C.H. Initiative because that group was formed to develop strategies for the southern neighborhoods. Mr. Jeff Maurer, Mayson Capital Partners, questioned the feasibility of implementing the numerous action items in the plan. He stated that the plan appears to be more of a wish list than a strategic plan. He also questioned the plan's focus on retrofitting and redeveloping existing areas of the city. He noted that the City of Cape Girardeau continues to annex land and has a relatively new business park on LaSalle Avenue, so it appears the City has already committed to outward growth. Mr. Shrimplin explained that a comprehensive plan is different from a strategic plan. The former has a broad scope while the latter focuses on particular areas. Mr. Hoffman explained that the action items in the plan will serve as a starting point for the City Council. The Council is responsible for prioritizing the action items and developing strategies for implementing them. Mr. Dan Drury, Midamerica Hotels Corporation, expressed concerns about the region's workforce. He noted that development activity increases workforce needs, but employers have difficulty recruiting qualified workers. Ms. Leigh Ragsdale noted that the community engagement portion of the plan was conducted two years ago. She asked if the input received is still relevant today. Mr. Shrimplin stated that the current COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult to assess the relevancy of the ideas that were shared during the community engagement process. He noted that many of the ideas pertain to expanding options for dining out and entertainment — both of which are not popular at the moment. He expressed hope for a recovery from the pandemic and a return to these activities. Mr. Dowdy left the meeting at this time. Mr. Salvador Mondraga, Missouri Department of Conservation, shared that the Department of Conservation has a new focus on being more involved in communities. He stated that he will be contacting City staff to begin discussions about ways to be more involved. Vice -Chairman Koetting stated that while the plan might appear to be a wish list, it is intended to be implemented. The City Council is responsible for guiding the implementation. Mr. Glenn reiterated that the Cape Vision 2040 comprehensive plan is not a strategic plan. He explained that a comprehensive plan typically leads to the development of several strategic plans aimed at achieving certain goals. Even though some of the action items may never be implemented, the plan is important because it establishes the vision upon which other plans, programs, and initiatives are based. Vice -Chairman Koetting closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Mr. Jackson and seconded by Mr. Spooler to adopt the Cape Vision 2040 comprehensive plan. The motion passed by a unanimous vote. REZONINGS. SPECIAL USE PERMITS, AND EXCEPTIONS 1. A public hearing was held on the request of Thomas and Torrie Schumacker to rezone -r+ property located at 1017 and 1019 Harmony Street from R-3 (High Density Single -Family Residential District) to CBD (Central Business District). Mr. Schumacker explained that he City of Cape Girardeau Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 Page 3 of 5 is requesting the rezoning because he would like to convert one of the buildings on the property to a multifamily dwelling, which is not permitted under the current zoning. A staff report was submitted to the Commission, which recommended approval of the rezoning request. Vice -Chairman Koetting opened the public hearing. Seeing no appearances to speak, he closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Glenn to recommend approval of the rezoning request. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 7 in favor, 0 in opposition, and 0 abstaining. (Aye: Glenn, Greaser, Jackson, Koetting, Spooler, Thompson, Welch) 2. The Commission reviewed a proposed zoning district for a property proposed to be annexed. On July 6, 2020, the City Council acknowledged receipt of an annexation petition for the property at 4072 State Highway K. As part of the annexation process, the Commission was charged with making a recommendation to the City Council regarding how the property should be zoned. Mr. Dan Drury, Midamerica Hotels Corporation, owner of the property, was available to answer any questions. A staff report was submitted to the Commission, which recommended zoning the property as C-2 (Highway Commercial District) upon annexation. A motion was made by Mr. Welch and seconded by Mr. Jackson to recommend zoning the �► property as C-2 (Highway Commercial District) upon annexation. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 7 in favor, 0 in opposition, and 0 abstaining. (Aye: Glenn, Greaser, Jackson, Koetting, Spooler, Thompson, Welch) 3. A public hearing was held on the request of Sven Svenson and Bonnie Coy-Svenson for an exception from Development Code Section 25-604(a), fence height and surface requirements, at 1506 Price Drive. Mr. and Mrs. Svenson explained that they are professional horticulturists and their yard is filled with many types of plants that attract deer. They have tried various deterrents without success, so they are requesting the exception in order to install an 6 foot high fence to keep the deer out. A staff report was submitted to the Commission, which contained the following findings of fact: Criterion #1: As part of the exception request, a "substantial equivalent' is proposed. "Substantial equivalent" means an alternate design, method or feature that accomplishes the same purpose as the applicable Development Code requirement. Finding: The Development Code limits fence height in the rear and side yards to 6 feet for two reasons. First, there is no minimum open surface requirement for fences in the rear and side yards, meaning a fence can be fully opaque (i.e. a privacy fence). An opaque fence creates a "wall effect' if its height exceeds the normal line of sight, and this effect intensifies as the height increases. Second, although privacy fences are available in various heights, 6 feet is considered the standard for `, residential use. The proposed fence offers a substantial equivalent because although it exceeds the maximum height, it avoids the "wall effect' by being the opposite of opaque. Chain-link has a high open -surface ratio, allowing visibility City of Cape Girardeau Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 Page 4 of 5 through the fence. To soften the appearance of the 8 foot fence, the applicants are proposing a black finish. Criterion #2: Approval of the exception request is consistent with the general spirit and intent of the Development Code. Finding: The substantial equivalent proposed by the applicant ensures fairness among property owners and tenants, which makes approval of the exception request consistent with the general spirit and intent of the Development Code. Based on the above findings, staff recommended approval of the exception request. Vice -Chairman Koetting opened the public hearing. Seeing no appearances to speak, he closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Mr. Greaser and seconded by Mr. Spooler to approve the exception request. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 7 in favor, 0 in opposition, and 0 abstaining. (Aye: Glenn, Greaser, Jackson, Koetting, Spooler, Thompson, Welch) SUBDIVISION PLATS 4. The record plat of The Highlands at Hopper Crossing — Phase 3 was reviewed by the Commission. A staff report was submitted to the Commission, which recommended approval of the plat, subject to staff's comments being successfully addressed. A motion was made by Mr. Glenn and seconded by Mr. Jackson to recommend approval of the plat —� per the staff report recommendation. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 7 in favor, 0 in opposition, and 0 abstaining. (Aye: Glenn, Greaser, Jackson, Koetting, Spooler, Thompson, Welch) 5. The record plat of Evans Castle Rock Subdivision was reviewed by the Commission. A staff report was submitted to the Commission, which recommended approval of the plat. Ms. Deborah Evans, applicant, was available to answer any questions. A motion was made by Mr. Welch and seconded by Mr. Jackson to recommend approval of the plat. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 7 in favor, 0 in opposition, and 0 abstaining. (Aye: Glenn, Greaser, Jackson, Koetting, Spooler, Thompson, Welch) 6. The record plat of Eakin First Subdivision was reviewed by the Commission. A staff report was submitted to the Commission, which recommended approval of the plat. A motion was made by Mr. Glenn and seconded by Mr. Spooler to recommend approval of the plat. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 7 in favor, 0 in opposition, and 0 abstaining. (Aye: Glenn, Greaser, Jackson, Koetting Spooler, Thompson, Welch) OTHER ITEMS AND COMMUNICATION Commission Communication There were no communication items from the Commission. Staff Communication .. Mr. Shrimplin gave an update on the following Transportation Trust Fund 5 (TTFS) projects: L City of Cape Girardeau Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes July 8, 2020 Page 5 of 5 • Fountain Street from William Street to Independence Street — The additional geotechnical testing has been completed. Staff has reviewed the report and will discuss the findings with the City Manager and Deputy City Manager. • Independence Street from Gordonville Road/East Rodney Drive to Caruthers Avenue — Staff continues to meet with the affected property owners. This process has been slow due to COVID-19. • Main Street from Roberts Street to East Cape Rock Drive — Staff has decided to forgo a public meeting and instead focus on meeting individually with the affected property owners. • Sprigg Street from William Street to Broadway — The consultant has started on the design. Staff is conducting a traffic study at the intersection of Sprigg Street and William Street to determine if a designated right turn lane on southbound Sprigg Street is warranted. • West End Boulevard from Rose Street to Bantling Street — The Army Corps of Engineers has approved the permit application. Adjournment There being no further business, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. upon a motion made by Mr. Glenn and seconded by Mr. Jackson. Respectfully submitted, I)E� Secretary