Minutes - Planning Commission - 12/20/1999 - Special Meeting

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Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Dempsey, to recommend that City Council grant site plan approval to the proposed B & B Carpet showroom and warehouse business use contingent upon compliance with the City Staff Review letter dated November 30, 1999. Further discussion: Commissioner Jensen stated that she is concerned that in the proposed Comprehensive Plan there is reference to improving the Highway #10 corridor and at this time there has been no direction as to how the City is going to handle the situation. She was concerned that the proposed building would be setting a precedent for what will be happening along Highway # 10 and was not comfortable with that. Commissioner Johnson replied that until the City Council puts something together it will be difficult to require any specific architectural design. Commissioner Jensen stated that there needs to be some guidelines for them to follow. Commissioner Nixt stated that the developer is willing to clean-up an "eyesore" and incur the cost of extending sewer and water; he does not want to delay the project until guidelines are put into place. Commissioner Jensen stated that she would like to see a rendering of the actual building color. Mr. Winkels replied that they would not be opposed to changing the color. Commissioner Jensen stated that in her opinion the building looks like the rest of the industrial area and would prefer a different architectural design. Mr. Winkels replied that the building will be a mixed use facility, not the same as some industrial buildings that are solid concrete with small windows. The building would be an office/showroom product, not a retail building or "strip mall". Chairperson Anderson inquired why the sewer and water would be private. City Engineer Jankowski replied that it is not his recommendation to install private utilities. Commissioner Johnson questioned if it was the City Engineer's recommendation to accept the utilities as a public utility and have the City maintain it. City Engineer Jankowski replied yes. Chairperson Anderson inquired how they keep companies from opting out of the project. City Engineer Jankowski replied that it would have to still be negotiated. Chairperson Anderson questioned what obligation the Planning Commission has in regards to utilities and discussion of TIF funds. He stated that he did not want to rush the project through. Commissioner Nixt replied that currently there is no development agreement, and the largest dollar amount issue is water and sewer. Meetings have been scheduled to discuss the issue and the applicant is willing to incur the cost. Commissioner Johnson questioned how the Commission wanted to address the ..... 4' t'g. . . . aesthetic ~ssue. Commissioner Jensen ~e apphcant is reqmred to submit a rendering o~the buildin~ Commissioner Johnson replied yes, and noted that one was submitted. He suggested that alternative colors be presented to the Council along with an example of the proposedcolor, lo~l ~-~rc~ Oi,~Or~ Or, i/Z,oJ~o o.x loer' /'r~d/~'~e.. or~ pt~e_, color', dlfCc#on off' Plor~r~,~q Eorn,.~,~g/'or~ Amendment by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Demlbsey, that the applicant present an accurate depiction of the color and alternatives to the City Council. Further discussion: Commissioner Nixt stated that since the Planning Commission has not fully been informed on the utility issue he would be willing to review the issue at any point the Council would feel necessary to do so. Planning Commission/December 20, 1999 Page 11 of 12