Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 16, 2008

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on December 16, 2008, at 7951 Rose in the Council Chambers.

Chair Simanton opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Members Present: Chair, Gordy Simanton; Commissioners: Grant Peterson and Tom Vogt.

Members Absent: Commissioners James Donadio III and Bud Hiivla.

Others Present: Community Development Director, Holly Kreft; Mayor, Mary Hershberger Thun; and Tanya Schmieg, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

A motion was made by Vogt, seconded by Peterson, to adopt the agenda. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.
 

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of the December 2, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Vogt, to approve the Minutes. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

B. Review Minutes of the December 1, 2008 City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

A. Review request of a conditional use permit for Hartman Brothers LLC to use shared parking for the proposed Lakeside redevelopment for property located at 1700 Stieger Lake Lane.

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-35
2) Exhibits: Parking Analysis from Westwood Professionals; Information from December 11^th Workshop.

Ms. Kreft showed the proposed Lakeside project by Hartman Brothers. She said that in the packet is the parking analysis done by Westwood Professionals. She stated the proposed on street parking is eight stalls and they are continuing to work with Hartman Brothers on ways to maximize the on street parking. Ms. Kreft explained that they also looked at redevelopment within the 500 foot radius and those details are also in the packet. She noted that the outcome of the study found that there were 35 parking stalls in excess.

Ms. Kreft talked about the workshop and said they looked at the current parking and based on that analysis there are 321 parking stalls in the downtown and the existing required is 314. She noted that is based on the gross square footage of the building. Ms. Kreft showed the existing uses in the downtown. She reviewed the two redevelopment scenarios. She stated that based on this analysis staff recommended that no changes be made at this time to the shared parking ordinance. She noted that the City Council asked that some of the language be modified to better define the baseline.

Chair Simanton clarified that the total number of spaces needed for this project is 40. Ms. Kreft said yes, based on the square footage and use of retail and office. She noted that 32 spaces are in the municipal parking lot.

Ms. Kreft stated that staff is recommending approval of the conditional use permit with the following two conditions:

1. That the developer enter into a development agreement with the City of Victoria for use of municipal parking spaces.

2. That the fee per parking stall be $5,000.

Commissioner Peterson asked if 500 feet is a reasonable distance for people to walk in a downtown development. Ms. Kreft said yes, that is what was settled on after discussions.

Commissioner Vogt commented on Schmitty’s lot being temporary. Ms. Kreft said that is a concern of the developer and there will be language in the developer’s agreement saying that the City will have parking in the vicinity of the proposed parking. She noted the Attorney will be working on the agreement and she can send that to the Planning Commission for review. Commissioner Vogt asked why that is not referred to in the recommendation. Ms. Kreft said they need to work out a few details including that situation.

Chair Simanton asked if the study includes the employees of the retail locations. Ms. Kreft said yes the parking requirement is based on retail or office and there is a formula based on square footage.

Chair Simanton asked if TIF is available for the parking. Ms. Kreft said that TIF is available in the downtown and in this case if TIF was used it would be paying the City and staff is not comfortable using TIF for the parking.

Chair Simanton commented on the lot being up to the City standard and asked if it would include storm water. Ms. Kreft said yes, and it would include any retaining walls that are needed.

Chair Simanton commented on the $5,000 per stall and questioned how that is determined in a shared parking environment with other developments that want to use that lot. Ms. Kreft explained that the ordinance is written to discourage the municipal parking. She said the first requirement is to prove that parking can’t be accommodated on site. The second is the option to lease parking from an adjacent user and the third is to utilize municipal parking. She noted there should only be a few cases where municipal parking will be required to be used.

Chair Simanton commented on the underground parking for the Meuwissen project and the public parking. Ms. Kreft said there will be 50 stalls provided for the public parking. Chair Simanton talked about employees taking up the underground parking spots and asked how that would be managed. Ms. Kreft said they have had discussions with the developer and they have said by having employees park underground it would actually free up the other parking spaces for the retail and it would be closer.

Commissioner Peterson commented on the Meuwissen project increasing their density by putting parking below grade and asked if the reason for the conditional use for the Hartman project is because of its shape. Ms. Kreft said yes.

Chair Simanton clarified that there were no fees associated with Fresh Seasons because they paid for that parking.

Chair Simanton re-opened the public hearing at 6:50 p.m.

Chair Simanton closed the public hearing at 6:50 p.m.

Commissioner Vogt said he thinks number one of staff’s recommendation should be amended to include a stipulation that shared parking will be maintained if a structure is built on the current, temporary municipal lot across from the proposed redevelopment.

A motion was made by Vogt, seconded by Simanton, to Approve the Request of a conditional use permit by Hartman Brothers LLC to use shared parking for the proposed Lakeside redevelopment for property located at 1700 Stieger Lake Lane subject to staff recommendations: 1. That the developer enter into a development agreement with the City of Victoria for use of the municipal parking spaces that will include the stipulation that shared parking will be maintained if a structure is built on the current, temporary municipal lot across from the proposed redevelopment and 2. That the fee per parking stall be $5,000. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.
 

A. Review of 2008 Annual Report.

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-36
2) Exhibits: Vacant Lot Inventory, Spreadsheet of 2008 Planning Cases

Ms. Kreft includes the information to date for the zoning and building permits. She noted that 39 permits have been issued as of December 10, 2008. She stated the proposed population for 2008 would be 6,516.

Ms. Kreft reviewed the zoning permits and said they are all down except for trees and noxious weeds.

Ms. Kreft said the planning cases and the vacant lot inventory are also included in the packet.

Ms. Kreft pointed out the list of City Council meetings for 2009.

Chair Simanton questioned the term expirations and said he thought those were extended to March 31^st of the following year. Ms. Kreft said yes, and they can show that.
 

Mayor Hershberger Thun provided an update on the City Hall. She said the costs to remediate the building range from $100,000 to $125,000. She noted the kitchen is less than they thought it would be because it is not a commercial kitchen.

Mayor Hershberger Thun said the City Council decided to change the liaisons and that will start after the first meeting in January.

Commissioner Peterson asked about the plan for the building. Ms. Kreft said the chamber side will be done first and then they will move the offices in there and do the office area. She noted some of the meetings will probably be held at the water treatment plant.
 

Chair Simanton commented windmills. Ms. Kreft said they will be bringing that forward.

The Planning Commission talked about the number of permits issued and the variances.
 

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.