January 11, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Chairperson Mueller read the statement regarding the Open Meetings Act.
1. Member Mueller called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and asked for roll call. Other members present were: Cathy Kleine, Greg Koerwitz, Bill Runge, Mary Mach and Bob Stepp.
2. Next, was the approval of the minutes from the November 9th and December 14th, 2009 hearings.
Bedlan noted that as per requested by member Kleine she corrected some typos prior to the hearing. Member Kleine made the motion to approve the minutes of the November 9th and December 14th, 2009 hearings “as amended” and member Koerwitz seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 6 - "yes" (Kleine, Mueller, Koerwitz, Runge, Mach, Stepp) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
3. Next, was the public hearing regarding changes to section 4.13 of the Fairbury Zoning Regulations – 2005 Edition.
Bedlan explained that there was a slight change in the draft of 4.13 J regarding the height of the accessory structures in question from 14’ to 18’ which allows for a 14’ sidewalls which in turn allows for garage doors that will accommodate larger vehicles, other than that everything else in the previous draft of 4.13 J is the same. Member Stepp made the motion that the Planning Commission recommend the City Council approve the proposed ordinance amending 4.13 of the Fairbury Zoning Regulations – 2005 addition. At the request of the commission Bedlan stated that she would elaborate on the normal recommendation to council so as to clarify this amendment and that as always the minutes of the Planning Commissions meetings are available for review to anyone who wants more clarification. Member Koerwitz seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 6 - "yes" (Kleine, Mueller, Koerwitz, Runge, Mach, Stepp) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
4. Next, was the discussion and recommendations regarding the City of Fairbury, Nebraska 1 & 6 Year Street Improvement Plan for 2010 – 2015.
Bedlan spoke on behalf of the street department explaining that the 1 & 6 is a yearly report to be submitted to the State of Nebraska. The Planning Commission holds a public meeting where any recommendations, additions, deletions or alterations may be presented. The Planning Commission then makes a recommendation to the City Council who will hold a public hearing before submitting it to the State. She noted form 11 addresses projects done in 2009 including; general maintenance, Project M-279 (110a) Bacon Rd from ‘I’ Street to ‘J’ Street, Project M-279 (110b) ‘J’ Street from Bacon Rd to 3rd Street, Project M-279 (112) 17th Street from ‘F’ Street east to the alley and 2 storm sewer projects. She stated that 16th Street is the only thing left on the one year plan and that everything else has been moved to the six year plan. Member Runge asked how the projects were determined for the 1 & 6 year plan. Bedlan stated that the plan is a combination of what was suggested the previous year, any new recommendations from the street department and recommendations from the Planning and Zoning commission. She noted that the 1 & 6 year plan is just a guide and not set in stone. Things can be removed and/or added throughout the year however they must be recommended to council and approved before the removal and/or addition can happen. Comments were made regarding streets that may be low priority but are still on the 6 year plan. Member Mueller stated that he felt that the city really needs to focus on H Street from 17th North because with the new church, hospital, clinic and Wal-Mart located north on H it has become an arterial street and needs reengineering. In answer to questions in regards to paving the Industrial Park Bedlan stated that it seems that the TIFF financing fell through so that project has also become a low priority project. Member Kleine questioned some of the 6 year projects to which Bedlan informed the commission all of the projects in the industrial park have gone to low priority because there is no financing, drainage structures that do not exist on projects currently in the 6 year plan will be addressed in the storm sewer study which she hopes will be completed within the year, and on 23rd Street and J Street the full width of the road is available. Member Koerwitz made the motion to recommend the approval of the 1 & 6 year plan to council. Member Kleine seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 6 - "yes" (Kleine, Mueller, Koerwitz, Runge, Mach, Stepp) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
5. Next, the commission recommended and voted for Fairbury Planning Commission Officers.
Bedlan requested nominations for the office of Planning Commission Chairperson in response Koerwitz nominated member Gene Mueller. Member Kleine seconded the nomination. With no other nominations by roll call, the vote was 5 – “yes” (Kleine, Stepp, Koerwitz, Runge, Mach)/1 – “abstain” (Mueller).
Bedlan then requested a nomination for the office of Planning Commission Vice Chairperson. Member Runge nominated member Greg Koerwitz. Member Kleine seconded the nomination. Member Koerwitz nominated member Kleine. Member Mueller seconded the nomination. By roll call, the vote was 5 “Koerwitz” (Mueller, Mach, Stepp, Runge, Kleine) 1- Kleine (Koerwitz).
6. Next, was the discussion and recommendations regarding changes to maximum size limits of accessory buildings in all Residential Zoning districts of the Fairbury Zoning Regulations – 2005 Edition.
Bedlan explained that this proposed zoning amendment is to increase the size of accessory buildings located on lots with primary buildings. In all residential zoned areas of Fairbury they would increase to 1000 square feet for single family dwellings and 800 square feet for multifamily dwellings unless a special use permit was issued to build an accessory structure with a maximum size limit of 1,260 square feet. Bedlan gave some examples of how other cities similar in size are regulating accessory structure sizes and what their size limits are. She stated that they are usually either regulated by a lot percentage or set square foot limit which is how she is suggesting Fairbury regulate their accessory structure sizes. She also notes that to exceed the 1000/800 square foot size limit the property owner would need to be granted a special use permit and that to go over the 1260 square foot limit they need to receive a variance. She stated that this was just for discussion tonight and that she would bring it back for a hearing next month.
7. With no other business on the agenda and no comments from the public on non-agenda items member Mach made the motion to adjourn. Member Kleine seconded the motion. By roll call, the vote was: 6 - "yes" (Kleine, Mueller, Mach, Runge, Koerwitz) / 0 - "no". The motion passed.
Laura K. Bedlan
Planning Commission Secretary