Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/12/1995

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Commissioner Handriksen stated that Staff should be able to disagree with the Planning Commission, but[he feels there have been instances where the Planning Commission's recommendation has been overshadowed. Commissioner De~mer agreed that he feels "Council hears a whole bunch from Staff on their opposition view an~! very little on our recommendation." Commissioner Her idriksen also felt that facts have been left out, giving the example of the meeting on the golf course ~'acility. It was stated that Commissioner Hendriksen felt the best location was the site proposed. However, Mr. Hendriksen noted that what got left out was that he felt the best location was on th{, commercial property adjacent to the golf course. Therefore, the statement was not a complete one: Zoning Administrator Frolik responded that she did say "of the sites available." She agreed that, in retrospect, she cou].d have said it more clearly. Councilmember Zimmerman requested that Staff Input vs. Commission Input be included in each case. Commissioner Ba~den noted it should be presented as just that, Staff's position and Planning Commission's Commission, without Staff arguing their position. The Planning Commission isn't before the City Coflncil to explain how they came up with their decision. Commissioner Ho~land also agreed that everybody has the fight to input. Commissioner Hehdriksen cited the Fox Knoll development as another example wherein Staff fought the developer to prevent what the developer and this Commission wanted to do. The City Council asked the '.developer to go off line with Staff and they came back with what Staff wanted. That was done in a~very covert way. Councilmember Z!mmerman divulged that he wouldn't have voted for that particular motion if he knew where that iwas going. Councilmember Zimmerman advised that, at the meeting, he specifically asked t[he City Attorney if the City could turn the applicant down, and the City A~omey responded that w~ couldn't. He asserted that he misunderstood the motion or he wouldn t have voted on it if he knlew it would come back as a sewer and water plan. Commissioner De~mer indicated that there is a lot going on in the City over that issue. He noted that in 1989, the H~aubrich 2 1/2 acre platting was rushed in before the 4 in 40 got voted upon. R-1 allows 1 acre. Mri Deemer stated that in both cases, it was wrong information being used by all parties involved. I~le stated misinformation is also easy to get, noting the misinformation regarding the sewer and wat _6r lot adjacent to Fox Knoll. Commissioner Bawden questioned how anybody could guarantee what is going to happen. Commissioner He,~driksen communicated that the whole purpose of zoning laws is to make sure that you do contro~ property to the extent that it's harmonious with the neighborhood. Commissioner Deemer houses next ~ agreed---it's to houses, noting that he has had to deal with this for years on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Herjdriksen indicated that there use to be an effort made to mitigate the impact from changing densitiesi yet in this case, there was an effort to do the opposite. City Council-Planning Commission/August 1, 1995 ! Page 3 of 5 Wx~J>