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Committee Minutes

SPECIAL PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
City of Grand Forks, North Dakota
September 19, 2007

1. MEMBERS PRESENT

The special planning and zoning commission meeting was called to order by Paula Lee, President, at 5:30 p.m. with the following members present: Steve Adams, Al Grasser, Tom Hagness, Dr. Lyle Hall, Bill Hutchison, Gary Malm, Frank Matejcek and Marijo Whitcomb. Absent: Mayor (Dr.) Michael Brown, Doug Christensen, John Drees, Robert Drees and Curt Kreun. A quorum was present.

Staff present included Brad Gengler, City Planner and Ryan Brooks, Senior Planner, Planning and Zoning Department. Absent: Charles Durrenberger, Senior Planner; Carolyn Schalk, Administrative Specialist, Senior, Planning Department; and Bev Collings, Building and Zoning Administrator (Building Inspections Office).

2. PUBLIC HEARINGS, FINAL APPROVALS, PETITIONS AND MINOR CHANGES:

NONE.

3. COMMUNICATIONS AND PRELIMINARY APPROVALS:

3-1. MATTER OF THE REQUEST FROM MICHAEL COLEMAN FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING MAP TO REZONE AND EXCLUDE FROM THE B-2 (SHOPPING CENTER) DISTRICT AND TO INCLUDE WITHIN THE B-3 (GENERAL BUSINESS) DISTRICT, THE FRONT 100 FEET OF LOT 9 AND THE FRONT 100 FEET OF LOT 10, BLOCK 1, LESS 17 FEET FOR STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY, COX’S ADDITION TO THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA, LOCATED AT 1835 SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET.

Brooks voiced his appreciation for commission members who showed up for the special meeting and made a quorum for the rezoning request. He explained the site was the former gas station at the Town and Country Shopping Center on South Washington Street. The proposed rezoning to B-3 (general business) district would go from the center of the rights-of-way of South Washington Street and 19th Avenue South. On the west, north and east, the zoning is B-2 but B-3 uses located directly to the south would be contiguous if the rezoning were approved. The request for the rezoning is for a car lot on the site and this is not allowed in the B-2 District. Staff recommendation is for preliminary approval with final approval on October 3, if approved.

MOTION BY ADAMS AND SECOND BY WHITCOMB TO APPROVE THE REZONING REQUEST.

Malm asked if the building was being removed. The proposed owner said they plan to re-side and utilize the building. Malm asked how many cars would be on the lot and he was told approximately 20 to 30 cars. Malm voiced concerns on people accessing the existing shopping center and cars being parked around the site.

Brooks said there was separation from the frontage road and also on the site.

Hagness asked if there would be a limit on the number of cars allowed on the site. Brooks said it would be determined on how many cars they could fit on the site itself.

Lee asked how far the property for the site extends as far as the frontage road. Brooks show where the property lines were for the site.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. OTHER BUSINESS:

Gengler reminded members that prospective names of people willing to serve on the planning and zoning commission and fill the spot left by Dr. Kweit should be forwarded to him or to the mayor’s office. Malm’s term expired in March but he continues to serve until reappointed or replaced.

Malm brought up the subject of a proposed study by the GF-EGF MPO and it would include roundabouts. This appears to be the coming thing and members need to be aware of the roundabouts. If people are totally against roundabouts, there is no need to spend the money for the study. Matejcek said the roundabouts are good for native people who live and know the area, but people outside of the area will have trouble with them. Lee said they work very well but need to be well marked.

Gengler spoke on the issue of the revised A-1 and A-2 Districts and said several issues had arisen based on the changes made in the ordinance. The Land Development Code Revision Committee would be reconvened at some time in the future to review the problems or situations that have come up based on the changes made to the ordinance.

Matejcek asked if a list of members with term limits could be sent to members. Gengler said that would be done.

5. ADJOURNMENT.

MOTION BY DR. HALL AND SECOND BY WHITCOMB TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 5:45 P.M. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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Lyle A. Hall, Secretary

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Paula H. Lee, Vice-President