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City of Kaukauna

Plan Commission Meeting Minutes – March 8, 2018

Posted on Mar 14, 2018 by

A meeting of the City of Kaukauna Plan Commission was called to order at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2018, by Chairman Rosin.

Members Present: Feldt, McGinnis, Penterman, Rosin, Schoenike, Sundelius, VanderSanden.

Also Present: Planning Director Jakel, City Attorney Davidson, Project Engineer Neumeier, Planning/Engineering Technician Holmes, Applicants, Interested Citizens, Media.

Absent and Excused: Oldenburg.

  1. Absent and Excused. A motion to excuse the absent Commission member was made by McGinnis, seconded by VanderSanden. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
  2. Minutes. A motion to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2018, meeting was made by Feldt, seconded by
  3. Penterman. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
  4. Motion to Move Out of Order. Mr. Penterman made a motion to move out of order to discuss Item #2 under New Business. The motion was seconded by VanderSanden. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
  5. Disposition of Municipal Property Adjoining Haas Road and Greengrove Street. Mr. Jakel explained that the applicant’s intention is to purchase at least 25′ x 100′ of land to expand their existing lot. They would plant trees as a buffer and maintain the property as greenspace. Mr. Jakel explained that the City paid $.90 per square foot for the property which is unbuildable due to existing wetlands and building setback requirements. Mr. Jakel explained that he determined a sales price of $.20 to $.22 per square foot using a different formula than what would be used for a new lot as the land, which was initially intended a park space, is largely unusable. Mr. Sundelius questioned how the Commission would justify purchasing the land for $.90 per square foot and selling it just two years later for $.20 per square foot. Mr. Jakel explained that it is not prime real estate and included easements. Mr. Sundelius disagreed and explained that historically, park land is not sold to neighbors as there is no benefit to the community. A motion to recommend to the Council the disposition of 25′ x 100′ feet of municipally owned property was made by Penterman. There was no second. No action was taken on the item.
  6. Proposed Residential Redevelopment of St. Al’s Site. Mr. Jakel explained that the Commission had previously recommended changes to the preliminary concept plan including redesigning a proposed private road to public street standards. Two-family units would be located in the interior of the property under one-ownership with single family homes on the remaining lots. A hammer-head turn-around would accommodate emergency access. Storm water management would be per WDNR regulations adjoining Ann Street and Hendricks Avenue. Public hearings on the creation of a TIF district to accommodate the demolition of the existing buildings and assist in infrastructure placement as well as rezoning of the property would be held before the Plan Commission, Joint Review Board and Common Council. Mr. VanderSanden asked about the requirements for a public street. Mr. Sundelius explained that it would need 33′ curb to curb. Chairman Rosin explained that the public street could more efficiently handle emergency access, garbage pick-up, snow removal and utility maintenance. Mr. Schoenike asked if the rear yard varied in size. Mr. Jakel explained that a standard rear yard is 20 feet and this plan meets that minimum. Mr. Sundelius asked if the two-family lots in the center would be under one ownership. Mr. Verstegan explained that that was his plan however the lots could be sub-divided in the future. A landscape buffer and entrance signage would be located at St. Mary’s Place and Ann Street to make the development more inviting. Mr. Schoenike explained that he liked the through-street concept and asked what changed on the concept plan. Mr. Verstegen explained that the right of way and setbacks requirements required that the units be moved farther apart. The layout of the units was changed as well. A motion to proceed with the public hearing process for the creation of the TIF district and the rezoning was made by Feldt, seconded by VanderSanden. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
  7. Disposition of Municipal Property Adjoining Cleveland Avenue. Mr. Jakel explained that the applicant’s intention is to purchase the adjoining property as well as the municipal property. The property is being maintained by the adjoining owners. Chairman Rosin asked about maintaining the City’s right of way access. Mr. Jakel explained that the trail could be accessed farther down at the end of Cleveland Avenue. Mr. Sundelius explained that there was no benefit to selling or vacating the property and losing control of it could cause the City issues in the future. Mr. Jakel explained that the applicants have no space currently to expand and that this disposition could eventually increase the value of the property. Mr. Sundelius explained that the existing conservation easement would prohibit expansion on the site. Attorney Davidson explained that there are no adverse possession or liability issues however it would not be the most appropriate use of City property. Mr. Holmes offered to investigate the lot lines in person. Mr. Schoenike explained that there would likely not be any property irons in place based on on-going issues and lot line discrepancies. A motion to recommend to the Council the denial of the request to purchase municipal property was made by Sundelius, seconded by Schoenike. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
  8. Vacating a Portion of Blackwell Street Northeast of Walnut Street. Mr. Jakel explained that owner of the properties intends to combine them all under one ownership. The vacation would allow the size of one lot to be increased making the property more marketable if sold and increasing access to an existing garage. Mr. Feldt explained that Kaukauna Utilities would require an easement that would affect both properties to maintain overhead lines and possible underground infrastructure. Mr. Jakel explained that the easement would be noted on the CSM. Mr. Penterman asked about the price of the property. Mr. Jakel explained that it would be the cost of disposition as part of the subdivision process and KU will have the opportunity to review the easement. A motion to recommend to the Council approval of the request to vacate property was made by Schoenike, seconded by Sundelius. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
  9. Two Lot CSM adjoining Draper Street for David Pleshek. Mr. Jakel explained that the property is an unusual configuration located between Draper Street and the railroad tracks. The applicant’s intention is to create two lots out of the parcel so that each structure would be on a separate lot and could be sold individually. A motion to recommend to the Council approval of the CSM as presented by made by Sundelius, seconded by Penterman. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

There being no further business to be brought before the Commission, a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m. was made by Sundelius, seconded by Feldt. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

Julianne Schroeder

Executive Secretary