Plan Commission Meeting Minutes – March 7, 2019

A meeting of the City of Kaukauna Plan Commission was called to order at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2019, by Chairman Penterman.

Members Present: Feldt, McGinnis, Oldenburg, Penterman, Schoenike, Sundelius.

Absent and Excused: Coenen, Moore.

Also Present: Planning Director Jakel, Principal Planner Watson, City Attorney Davidson, Planning/Engineering Tech Holmes.

1. Excuse the Absent. A motion to excuse the absent Commission members was made by McGinnis, seconded by Feldt. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
   
2. Minutes. A motion to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2019, meeting was made by Feldt, seconded by Schoenike. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
   
3. CSMs for Eugene Linskens at Peters Road and Orchard Drive. Mr. Jakel explained that Mr. Linskens inherited the property which includes a house and barn. Mr. Linskens proposes to remove the barn and subdivide the remaining property – one lot will include the house and garage and the remaining five lots will be sold for single-family development. State statutes permit platting up to four lots via CSM – more lots require the subdivision platting process. Mr. Jakel explained that the surveyor is still working on the drainage plan and has been in contact with the Engineering Department on the project. Mr. Sundelius explained that the developer may be using the CSM’s as a work-around the subdivision platting process and also avoiding the subdivision fee agreement of $250 per residential unit. Mr. Jakel explained that City ordinance does not address the subdivision agreement relative to CSM’s. City Attorney Davidson explained that he would research the matter and shore up any missing sections of the ordinance if necessary. Mr. Jakel explained that the subdivision fee should be applied universally to users of City services. Ms. Watson asked about our current review fees. Mr. Jakel explained that subdivision fees are $250 per dwelling unit and CSM’s are $10 per lot. Mr. Schoenike explained that State statutes have a time factor provision for the number of lots that can be split via CSM in a given period of time. A motion to direct City Attorney Davidson to research and develop an ordinance for the subdivision fee agreement relative to residential CSM’s was made by McGinnis, seconded by Oldenburg. A motion to recommend approval to the Council of the two-lot CSM contingent on the execution of a subdivision fee agreement at $250 per dwelling unit was made by Sundelius, seconded by Oldenburg. All members voted aye. Motion carried. A motion to recommend approval to the Council of the four-lot CSM contingent on the execution of a subdivision fee agreement at $250 per dwelling unit was made by Sundelius, seconded by Oldenburg. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
   
4. Amendment to Comprehensive Plan’s Land Use Map. Ms. Watson explained that staff recently reviewed plans for the future platting of Hurkmann Heights which adjoins the Kwik Trip location on the north side. The amendment would change the future land use reference from commercial to residential as a better buffer between Kwik Trip and the residential development. Ms. Watson explained that the Plan Commission recommendation would be forwarded on to the Council who would hold the public hearing. Actual rezoning of the property would be a separate process before the Plan Commission. Mr. Feldt asked if Kwik Trip owned all the property in the proposed amendment area. Mr. Jakel explained that they did and that wetlands limit access to the property. A motion to recommend approval to the Council of the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan’s land use map from commercial to residential was made by Schoenike, seconded by Sundelius. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
   
5. Site Plan Review and Submittal Process. Ms. Watson explained that the process would streamline the way submittals are made, ensure due diligence, and allow concerns to be worked out at the staff level before being presented to the Commission. Ms. Watson explained that the Industrial Park Commission approved a version of the process at their meeting yesterday. Mr. Schoenike explained that he understood the need for the process relative to large developments, however, the process should be adapted for small projects and homeowners. Ms. Watson explained that portions of the checklist may not be applicable to all projects however the process would ensure that all projects are designed to a certain standard and potentially eliminate serious issues later on. Mr. Schoenike explained that he wanted to avoid projects getting tangled up if Plan Commission review does not apply. Mr. Jakel explained that the process is not asking developers to provide anything that isn’t already typically required – it is basically a more uniform checklist for review and would provide the public another layer of information. Ms. Watson explained that in the past several meetings would be held on the same item, clearly showing that not enough information had been presented to make a decision. The new process will give all departments an opportunity to review projects and provide input. Mr. Sundelius suggested that language be added to the form clarifying the type of projects that would require review and who would be required to submit the form. Ms. Watson agreed to amend the form. A motion to approve the site plan review and submittal process as amended was made by Sundelius, seconded by Schoenike. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
   

There being no further business to be brought before the Commission, a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m. was made by Sundelius, seconded by McGinnis. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

Julianne Schroeder – Community Development Coordinator